Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Marion County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in development with high priority
Duplex development on wells and septic in Ocala Ridge
Staff is changing course: no more duplex approvals in Ocala Ridge until central water and sewer arrive, citing wells and septic leaking into the springs. The board disagreed 3-2, noting the owner's five substandard lots can otherwise hold only one house.
Freedom Crossings access changes on SW 60th Avenue
The developer of Freedom Crossings at SW 95th Street and SW 60th Avenue wants a new right-in-only entrance close to the SW 95th Street signal to serve a gas station/convenience store. The county engineer says it's too close to the intersection and creates conflict points; the developer's consultants say it reduces crashes by pulling right-turning traffic away from the conflicting southbound left turn. The road will come back for a public hearing before anything is final.
49th Street Gateway mixed-use development
A 105-acre project with 535 apartments, a 500-room hotel, and about a million square feet of commercial space at the new I-75/49th Street interchange. Longtime neighbors worry about traffic on 44th Avenue, noise, lighting, drainage, and loss of old trees and privacy.