OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Board of County Commissioners postponed a decision on June 3, 2025, regarding a proposed zoning change that would reduce townhome unit widths from 25 feet to 20 feet in the Maro 111 development.

The request, brought by Maro Management, LLC, would allow up to 499 residential units on the property, though the developer currently plans to build 449 units, 329 single-family homes and 120 townhomes. The property, under contract but not yet purchased, sits along State Road (SR) 200 and includes access points through SR 200, the Bank of America site, and the West Point community.

Density, traffic, and neighborhood fit

  • Residents and commissioners raised concerns about how reduced unit widths could lead to increased density, impacting traffic, noise, and the character of nearby neighborhoods.
  • “The size of the home doesn’t dictate the quality of the home,” said David Tillman, applicant. “They have the ability to build smaller; they can still go up in the size.”

Loss of commercial use

  • The developer chose to forgo the originally planned commercial section in the northwest corner of the property.
  • Commissioner Michelle Stone pushed to bring back that component, citing its importance to surrounding neighborhoods.

Tree loss and environmental impact

  • The property spans 111 acres and includes significant tree cover. Residents and commissioners strongly opposed the idea of clear-cutting the land.
  • “What I don’t want to see, along with Commissioner Zalak, is that wooded lot, 111-acres, be clear cut,” said Commission Chair Kathy Bryant. “We are very concerned about the buffers.”

Infrastructure and access

  • The site falls within the urban growth boundary and will connect to Marion County water and sewer services.
  • There is no access to SW 100th Street, which may cause bottlenecks or overflow into adjacent communities.

Delayed development, shifting plans

  • The original PUD amendment was approved in 2017, with extensions granted in 2021, 2023, and 2024. The current plan expires in 2027.
  • Tillman explained the need for the change: the builder under contract, Taylor Morrison, only constructs 20-foot-wide units and prefers not to adjust its marketing or product line.

Commissioner Carl Zalak III expressed willingness to consider the amendment, if tree buffers are preserved. “If the existing buffer is kept, the tree line, then I would be willing to negotiate. However, if the developer can’t, then I wouldn’t be willing to negotiate,” he said.

The proposal will return to the board at a later date for further review.

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