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VOLUME 5 ISSUE 11
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Protecting rural lands with land development code changes Horse Farms Forever at the forefront of proposed changes to limit commercial uses in designated rural areas. By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com
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ith developers coveting the nearly 200,000 acres of largely unspoiled property within Marion County’s Farmland Preservation Area, county officials will soon consider proposed limits on
what kinds of commercial projects would be allowed on the many farms and rolling pastures sitting in the heart of the “Horse Capital of the World.” On March 19, Marion County commissioners will hold the second of three required public hearings on an application by the nonprofit group Horse Farms Forever (HFF) to amend the
OPD Sergeant resigns in lieu of termination
county’s Land Development Code. The amendment seeks to refine the Rural Commercial zoning designation and spell out what would be the appropriate use of parcels in rural areas. Notably, the HFF amendment—while in response to the RaceTrac application, see related story—will not apply retroactively to that project, only
to future requests. The HFF proposal aims to limit uses for rural property that now is zoned for some commercial use, including whether owners could apply for a proposed Rural Commercial (RC-1) designation. It also states current agriculture-zoned parcels could be not rezoned as Rural Commercial.
Only 20 parcels in Marion County carry the Rural Commercial zoning designation. Of those, 14 are vacant land, three are residential, one has an office associated with Southeast Milk Inc., one is a pallet refurbishment business and one is a church. The amendment limits, but See Farmland, page A3
Hearing for controversial RaceTrac project set for March 19 Neighbors, Horse Farms Forever and Save Our Rural Area among those opposing multi-pump fueling station eyed for Farmland Preservation Area. By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com
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long-awaited hearing on a RaceTrac convenience store and big-rig truck fueling station proposed for a site in the Farmland Preservation Area near Sparr has been set for 2 p.m. during the Marion County Board of County Commissioners’ March 19 meeting. The hearing has been on hold since December, a delay that has rankled both opponents of the project and Commissioner Carl Zalak, who called the developer’s move to postpone the proceedings “bogus.” The applicants seek to rezone 11.06 acres of an overall ±38.62acre parcel on the southwest corner of U.S. 441 and County Road 329. According to the county Planning & Zoning staff report, the request is “for the development of a RaceTrac gas station, convenience store, and truck stop; however, zoning changes
Sgt. Freeman captured on body cam footage at Oct 31, 2023 incident.
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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n his more than 10 years with the Ocala Police Department, Sgt. Horace “Lonnie” Freeman developed a troubling habit of failing to turn on his body camera while interacting with the public. But it would be Freeman’s actions while breaking up neighborhood dispute on Halloween last year that would lead to the end of his employment at OPD. During Freeman’s decade-long tenure with OPD, he earned him both commendation and promotion, according to his personnel file. But the record also shows his history of dishonesty has led the Fifth Circuit State Attorney’s Office to restrict Freeman from testifying in court. Freeman submitted a letter on Jan. 4, 2024, notifying OPD Chief Mike Balken of his retirement, effectively resigning rather than being terminated from his position as sergeant. The “Gazette” reached out to Balken and OPD spokesperson Jeffery Walczak about Freeman’s resignation and his disciplinary history but has received no response. Attempts to speak with Freeman have also have been unsuccessful. Read Freeman’s complete disciplinary history below. April 14, 2016 Freeman responded to The Vines psychiatric facility to meet with a sergeant and another officer in regard to a patient who was admitted to the hospital voluntarily. Upon his arrival, Freeman asked the other officer there over the radio “if he could walk the subject out to him, or if (Freeman) needed to do that for him, too,” according to a memorandum written by Sgt. Eric Hooper. When explaining the options for the citizen to take, Freeman said, “You can either be a man or be a dumbass, one of the two,” according to the memorandum. Freeman received a written reprimand for violating two policies: See Freeman, page A3
Sign posting, SB US Hwy 441. [Supplied]
are not conditional so all permitted uses must be considered. The site is located within the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA), the Silver Springs Primary Springs Protection Zone (SPSPZ), the Silver Springs Secondary Protection Zone (SSSPZ), and outside of the Marion County Utilities’ Utility Service Area.” The RaceTrac site plan shows 16 car gas pumps, five truck refueling pumps and a 6,008-square-foot convenience store, but no designated parking for big-rig trucks. Planning & Zoning staff recommended denial; the plan was turned down by the Planning & Zoning Commission in a 5-1 vote at the November 2023 meeting. In a 3-0 vote, the Development Review Committee recommended denial of the rezoning in its February 2023 review of this project. The request is to change the zoning from General Agriculture (A-1) to Rural Commercial (RC-1), which See RaceTrac, page A2
County lists projects that a 20-year penny sales tax renewal would cover By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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arion County has a big wish list, one that officials hope voters will help them pay for by approving a 20-year renewal for the penny sales tax in the general election. Officials have finalized the transportation and public safety projects they hope to accomplish with the $65 million per year that the sales tax is expected to raise. County commissioners wrapped up their planning with a workshop on March 5 to review the complete project list for sheriff, fire, emergency medical services and communications. If voters approve renewing the sales tax in the November general election, this project list will serve as the general guide for how the revenue
will be spent, but it can be adjusted as necessary, said County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes. All of the project costs are based on the value of today’s dollar and do not include any adjustments to inflation or growth. The projects will be reviewed annually through the budget service to ensure accurate numbers to costs and funding. Out of the total sales tax revenue of $1.3 billion for the next 20 years, 20% will be devoted to public safety, split between the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office and Marion County Fire Rescue. Much of that money will be spent on new vehicles. “For public safety, we’re going to be replacing vehicles and equipment,” Bouyounes said. “That’s probably going to be the top priority for all of
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them.” Over the next 20 years, MCFR will need over $24.8 million to replace 13 engines, 12 grass trucks, one tower, two heavy rescues, 10 tankers and 24 staff vehicles. EMS needs to replace 67 rescue vehicles, which would cost about $30.1 million. MCSO will need nearly $55 million to replace 48 vehicles for the jail department, 68 vehicles for the regular department, 747 vehicles for the patrol department and three vehicles for the bailiff department. Other funds will be used to remodel aging facilities and build new ones. Fire rescue needs to remodel Stations 1, 10, 12, 15, 19 and 22, which will cost about $6 million, at $1 million per renovation. Phase 2 of the fire rescue training facility would also be funded
by the penny sales tax, and cost $15 million. EMS will need two new stations, one on the west side and another on the east side of Ocala, costing $5.3 million each. Modular stations will be placed in Pedro, Ocklawaha, Baldwin Ranch and Westport and cost $450,000 each. “With the new EMS modular stations, those most likely will be also fire stations,” Bouyounes said. “We are proposing we start with a module arrangement and then we expand them in the future as needed.” Public safety communication officials need to build towers to replace eight leased towers, which would cost $1 million each. The towers at Forest, Baseline and MCSO all need replacing as they are all over 30 years old, See Tax, page A5
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