OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Commissioners recently met to discuss further protections for the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA).  Commissioner approved the use of 72 Transfer of Development Right (TDR) credits from a farm in the FPA that had been conserved with the TDR program more than 15 years ago to a parcel of land inside the Urban Growth Boundary.

Busy Shires, Director of Conservation Strategies for Horse Farms Forever said, “These 72 TDR credits were created in 2007 by Walter and Wendy Boring when they placed a conservation easement on 119 acres of their property in the Farmland Preservation Area.  Horse Farms Forever thanks the Boring family for protecting their land for future generations.”

Sunbelt Land Dun I-Ocala South, LLC purchased the credits and will use them to increase the density on a 36-acre parcel of land by 72 units.  The land already has been zoned for a 288 multi-family apartment complex, but the addition 72 TDR credits will allow them to increase the number of units to 360.  The property is located on the east side of SW 60th Avenue at the intersection of SW 52nd Street and it has a Future Land Use of High Density.

The TDR program was established in Marion County in 2004 and had some early success in preserving more than 3,200 acres of land, but it has not been utilized to its full extent for more than 15 years.

Over the past year, Horse Farms Forever has worked with stakeholders to review the TDR program to see how it can become more relevant and sustainable for landowners and developers.

In TDR terms, the areas where communities want less or no development at all are called “sending areas.”  Sending areas can include environmentally sensitive places, historic landmarks, open space, farmland, or any other resource that a community wants to preserve.

The areas appropriate for growth are called “receiving areas.”  Receiving areas are meant or development mostly because they are close to jobs, shopping, schools, public services, and other urban amenities.

Learn more about how our local horse farms are being protected at Horse Farms Forever.