OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County families could soon feel the impact of changes discussed at the latest comprehensive plan workshop held March 27, 2025.
Described as a “hodgepodge workshop” by Kimley-Horn planner and project manager Blair Knighting, the session was the fourth in a planned series of 10 presentations before the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.
As county leaders plan for Marion’s future, the decisions being discussed could directly affect where families live, how they get to work, and the everyday services they rely on.
Coming up April 1 is a workshop on housing density – a topic that could influence neighborhood development, traffic, and access to schools and parks. Next, officials will dive into Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and park Level of Service (LOS), which could affect how land is developed and maintained.
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Another item brought back for review was the Capital Improvement Element (CIE). New language requires yearly reviews and allows updates to transportation plans without changing the full comprehensive plan, making it easier to respond to growth and traffic concerns.
Knighting also discussed Floor Area Ratio (FAR) data, noting: “They analyzed Marion County, and they used their data and then CoStar to do an analysis of the real estate market… It varies across different uses.” This info helps planners make smart decisions about development that could affect where people live and work.
These FAR (Floor Area Ratio) insights may help determine future development that balances business growth with maintaining livable spaces for families. For example, high FAR values for hospitals and office spaces could indicate more vertical development in certain sectors, while lower FARs in retail and industrial categories suggest potential for low-density commercial zones.
FAR Distribution by Property Type – Marion County, 2025
| Property Type | Low FAR (Bottom 33%) | High FAR (Top 66%) |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital | 0.15 | 0.50 |
| Hotel | 0.23 | 0.43 |
| Industrial Distribution | 0.14 | 0.27 |
| Medical Office Space | 0.12 | 0.23 |
| General Office Space | 0.11 | 0.23 |
| Retail Community Center | 0.18 | 0.20 |
| Industrial Manufacturing | 0.12 | 0.22 |
| Industrial Warehousing | 0.09 | 0.22 |
| Retail Strip Center | 0.12 | 0.21 |
| Retail Neighborhood Center | 0.15 | 0.18 |
| Freestanding Retail | 0.07 | 0.14 |
The topic is expected to be revisited at a future workshop, offering residents further opportunities to weigh in on development that could affect their daily lives.
Overlay zones tied to airports, the environment, military areas, and wellfield protections were also discussed, along with sewer systems and waterbody protections—key issues for neighborhoods and families.
Finally, officials explored how to boost agritourism, opening new economic doors for local farms and businesses.
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