[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6518791,"mediaKeyId","5385742-869bb2ff47b066711a8f418ba4bd9d4a","parentId",5385742,"title","City staff withdraws proposed congregate-living and short-term rental regulations; will refile with changes after state law","audioSeconds",171,"startMs",2548000,"endMs",2719000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385742-869bb2ff47b066711a8f418ba4bd9d4a&start=2548&end=2719","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385742-869bb2ff47b066711a8f418ba4bd9d4a/thumbnail_2548000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518791/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/City-staff-withdraws-proposed-congregate-living-and-short-term-rental-regulations-will-refile-with-changes-after-state-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518791-7c40c4bef12a6ead4aabb81b02a7dfe3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770928360&Signature=IZ5eJvj6~mKRGrPh5LcTx7hizhaBwDO5UlCPeMNTTUaF4eLGEdjtOzCy7hwdb9M4TSnRDMCe9vSWCstzWLpsZiVurS6ruPl0M8VnExdYtxJEfBJbt7mqOiSvBtIMjXcciw-WPfZIdybxRmI2eDbZgLYxVhb1LwlfMv63rM7idS5qn72OAknox2U-Ul7NJLR~9srOxb0HAGp6Cq9Nk3ZpI64x77iLCa5V6STfU6zZyJid4tHFQfcSVHgeFWbOjv4DAjUi-6iSNjf-GApvm~61fjUd8QfJdBQqoYnPWTCvAzZXPsNjHECgY9b-n8jv1Nw-MzHU2F~Eu3N6snTAfYsvRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ocala","date","2025-07-14T00:00:00Z","article","City of Ocala growth management staff withdrew a proposed ordinance on July 14 that would have reorganized rules for congregate-living facilities and added regulations for short-term rental residences and addiction-receiving facilities. Jeff (growth management director) and planner Emily Johnson told the Planning and Zoning Commission staff will re-advertise the proposal after making revisions and working through statutory constraints.

Emily Johnson summarized the planned changes: staff proposed consolidating several uses under a new “congregate living facilities” category — including community residential homes, recovery residences, rooming houses, and residential treatment facilities — largely as a relabeling and reorganization of existing uses. The draft also would have created two named uses: short-term rental residences (allowed where residential uses are permitted) and addiction-receiving facilities (acute inpatient treatment facilities), which staff proposed allowing by-right in institutional districts and by special exception in office-park zoning similar to hospital rules.

Johnson said most changes are organizational and that legally existing facilities that were previously permitted would be recognized and allowed to continue. However, city staff also flagged state preemption that limits local regulatory authority — particularly on short-term rentals — and noted that Senate Bill 954, which took effect July 1, requires local governments to adopt ordinances providing reasonable accommodations to recovery residences that have completed a voluntary certification through the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR). The legislation also sets out a waiver process; Johnson said the city must adopt a conforming ordinance by Jan. 1, 2026.

Jeff and Johnson told commissioners staff will withdraw the current advertisement and return with a revised ordinance, including a registration process and fee for short-term rentals and language that reflects the state law’s timeline and accommodations for certified recovery residences. Jeff said staff intends to restart the process at the next round of hearings and expects the revised draft to proceed to the commission for recommendation to city council.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about nonconforming uses, how voluntary certification interacts with local processes, and enforcement limits. Jeff and Johnson emphasized that state preemption constrains what the city can require for many of these uses; they said special exceptions and registration are among the limited tools available locally. The commission did not take action because staff withdrew the request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ocala - Planning & Zoning Commission - Jul 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Growth management staff withdrew an ordinance to reorganize congregate-living uses and add short-term rental registration, citing state preemption and new state law (Senate Bill 954); staff expects to refile with a registration process and fee and to meet a state deadline for recovery-residence accommodations.","taxTitle","Ocala, Marion County, Florida","taxId",4898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518795,"Planning & Zoning approves several rezoning requests, including R-1 to R-1AA parcel amid wildlife concerns",997,750000,1747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385742-869bb2ff47b066711a8f418ba4bd9d4a&start=750&end=1747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385742-869bb2ff47b066711a8f418ba4bd9d4a/thumbnail_750000.jpg","/articles/6518795/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Planning-Zoning-approves-several-rezoning-requests-including-R-1-to-R-1AA-parcel-amid-wildlife-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518795-b9ecb3bdcb5e5415eeb3d442f99f282e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770928360&Signature=ZBHyZZbHj8fT7HJe793sdijw9wwG35Rroaxy8gu7pBggQsHN4W4XC4dl~KpbRvZ-V3Kk5GUfRuVXdFl-CM8UU3KuTHcyQdkayPWxr8o~b96mKbh0lH6CjqUdX5nHrjxRQAuCxlYPRkqz-CBxb3OJpVgfFkWnNZvPRQYxzoRQQcHodaUaZeiSwxau~5p8WMVIJZvqCHD~lAegbR3c2RMahp04JK8gqdJFyMjxXN~HwtT4aSZji8G6P4H6HxV9yU~zaQu8P0zY7OHgVx4SvK6WCKCEgCZEyhGqaT47V6HdgPa1YSCcpNoG0w-c0t4LEoAwRAxRkjSeU~Dme4X0ctGQ7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission approved four rezoning requests on July 14, clearing property-specific zoning changes across residential, commercial and industrial districts.

The commission voted to approve ZON25-0010, a request to rezone a parcel approximately 320 feet east of the intersection of Northeast 30th Street and Northeast Jacksonville Road from R-1 (single-family residential) to R-1AA (single-family residential with reduced lot sizes). Planner Bria Miller told the commission the rezoning does not change permitted uses but reduces minimum lot area from 13,500 square feet to 6,000 square feet and lot frontage from 100 to 60 feet; staff analysis showed average lot area in a 300-foot radius of about 16,132 square feet and average lot width of about 101 feet. Miller also noted a Duke Energy transmission easement across part of the site and a 2007 FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) permit record relating to gopher tortoise removal.

Neighbors spoke in opposition during public comment, raising wildlife and drainage concerns. Brian Clements, a resident at 1212 Northeast 30 Second Place, said the parcel \"is loaded with wildlife\" and urged the city to consider preserving it as green space for bird watching. Daniel Mead, who lives near the site, described owls, hawks and gopher tortoises on the property and warned of possible pest impacts if habitat is disturbed. The applicant’s agent, Paolo Mastracerio of Mastracerio Engineering, said any development would begin with an environmental assessment and that the proposed rezoning is intended to match the R-1AA classification present on two adjacent properties to the south. Mastracerio said a conceptual plan currently shows 26 units and that public water and sewer would serve the site.

After discussion, the commission voted aye; the motion carried.

Also approved were:

- CON25-0009: a rezoning to B-4 General Business for property at 458 Northwest First Street and two contiguous parcels, a request staff said aligns with the High Intensity Central Core future land-use designation. The existing church use on one parcel is permitted in the requested district, staff said.

- ZON25-0011: a rezoning from B-2 Community Business to SC Shopping Center for 3235 Southeast Mary Camp Road, a parcel formerly occupied by a commercial batting-cage business. Staff noted the adjacent shopping center was rezoned to SC in 2020 and the subject property shares access with that center; the city will require an updated shopping center master plan before redevelopment.

- ZON25-0008: rezoning roughly 5.93 acres at NW 14th Street and NW Magnolia Terrace from split M-1/B-4 to M-1 Light Industrial; staff said the M-1 district is compatible with surrounding warehouse and industrial uses and recommended approval.

All four motions passed by roll-call vote. Commissioners recorded votes in favor from Mr. Carlock, Mr. Branson, Mr. McDonald and Mr. London. There were no recorded votes against the items.

The approved rezonings permit development or redevelopment consistent with the city’s adopted future land-use categories and require applicants to satisfy any outstanding site-specific engineering, environmental and master-plan conditions before building permits are issued.","The commission approved four rezoning requests, including a residential parcel near Northeast 30th Street and multiple commercial and industrial rezonings; public commenters urged wildlife protections on one site.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6518799,"Planning & Zoning approves three subdivision plats in Ocala",156,109000,265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385742-869bb2ff47b066711a8f418ba4bd9d4a&start=109&end=265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385742-869bb2ff47b066711a8f418ba4bd9d4a/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6518799/Ocala/Marion-County/Florida/Planning-Zoning-approves-three-subdivision-plats-in-Ocala","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518799-061c93c6bbb2e8c5c248d5ff0824f7a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770928360&Signature=JdCpAwRoSu1Q4SFDFf250u7X3BJ1dcTFACfJ9TgqNkkSy-4sRz5QAzFz4QwU5irpTRoBUAwMSPfGnYVLST~Jz~bihZtG0Is3Fmi2CKmgxFSRzY0NEZD~8BNLST9XomaqA3AhHsmEe9SWnlBdHsxMFifmhUGqEOCLFjC4xvuu7p~AaCRGwtyMdhSoiLTH4R~lj-JLI8jqlcXu1-Vy~7Uc~DqiYppl6P0dSVsSgnocWlrWF37~hK4ivDb9ftgykyUtEoDo0aMUYeQGvHda-~m48FRVOHOUDPdB2LVuXcSpYnW~VDQ0NhUZnM6qWyvPhFTdcDLI3pIff7rBLJbfEu6r4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission on July 14 approved three subdivision plats: Emerson Point Phase 3 (SUBS25-0009), Winding Oaks Phase 2 final plat and developer's agreement (SUB24-0002), and Winding Oaks Phase 4A final plat and developer's agreement (SUB25-0004).

City staff presented the plans and recommended approval for each subject to standard conditions. Karen Kupp of the city’s growth management/engineering staff said Emerson Point Phase 3 is a planned development for 71 single-family homes on 16.43 acres, with reduced internal right-of-way widths that were approved at rezoning. The development proposes 25-foot front setbacks, 5-foot side setbacks, and internal streets with 30-foot pavement and 15-foot utility easements. Kupp said the homeowners association will maintain internal roads and stormwater facilities, while potable water and sanitary sewer will be publicly maintained after a one-year maintenance period; the city engineer recommended conceptual approval.

For Winding Oaks Phase 2 (SUB24-0002), Kupp said the final plat includes 77 lots, three tracts and about 0.49 miles of roadway on 17.11 acres. The road right-of-way identified as Tract A is being dedicated for public maintenance along with public water and sewer; common areas and off-right-of-way drainage will be maintained by the homeowners association. The developer’s agreement requires construction and maintenance obligations, installation of streetlights per Chapter 70 of city code, and a $265 per-lot solid-waste service fee that the developer has prepaid for this plat, Kupp said. The city engineer recommended approval subject to outstanding survey and title-opinion updates and resolution of the streetlight details.

Kupp said Winding Oaks Phase 4A (SUB25-0004) dedicates Track A for public maintenance, includes a public lift station on Track C, and designates several tracts and common areas to the Winding Oaks Community Development District for maintenance of drainage and open space. She told commissioners the developer paid the solid-waste fee for the 123 lots platted in Phase 4A and that the developer’s agreement will cover the entire Phase 4 so later plats will not require amendments to the agreement. Staff recommended approval of the final plat and developer’s agreement subject to outstanding comments.

There were no public comments on these items. Commissioners moved and seconded each approval in turn; roll-call votes recorded commissioners Carlock, Branson, McDonald and London as voting yes on each item. Each motion carried.

The approvals clear the way for the developments to proceed toward final engineering, permitting and recordation, subject to the outstanding survey, title and infrastructure conditions staff listed. The city engineer will continue to monitor the required corrections and confirmations before plat recordation.

Votes at a glance

SUBS25-0009 (Emerson Point Phase 3) — Motion to approve carried; roll call: Mr. Carlock — Aye; Mr. Branson — Aye; Mr. McDonald — Aye; Mr. London — Aye. Outcome: approved.

SUB24-0002 (Winding Oaks Phase 2, final plat & developer's agreement) — Motion to approve carried; roll call: Mr. Carlock — Aye; Mr. Branson — Aye; Mr. McDonald — Aye; Mr. London — Aye. Outcome: approved.

SUB25-0004 (Winding Oaks Phase 4A, final plat & developer's agreement) — Motion to approve carried; roll call: Mr. Carlock — Aye; Mr. Branson — Aye; Mr. McDonald — Aye; Mr. London — Aye. Outcome: approved.","The Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission approved conceptual and final plats for Emerson Point Phase 3 and two Winding Oaks phases, clearing developer agreements and conditions recommended by city staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff withdraws proposed congregate-living and short-term rental regulations; will refile with changes after state law

Planning & Zoning approves several rezoning requests, including R-1 to R-1AA parcel amid wildlife concerns

Planning & Zoning approves three subdivision plats in Ocala