OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Board of County Commissioners held its final workshop in a series reviewing the county’s comprehensive plan on June 23. Much of the discussion centered on how to improve a tool that could shape where new development happens and where it doesn’t.

Commissioner Matt McClain was not present, as he and his wife welcomed a new child on June 21.

What is a TDR, and why does it matter?

A key part of the conversation focused on the county’s Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program, a market-based tool that preserves farmland and water resources by shifting development away from sensitive areas and into designated growth zones.

“The biggest thing for us and staff as a team, we really wanted to try to make the TDR process successful and easier for people to use,” said Blair Knighting, Kimley-Horn consultant. “It’s a great program, it really is, you guys have already had specialists look at it. It’s maybe that we take some risk out it for the receiving and the sending area.”

For Marion County residents, how this tool is used can have a direct effect on traffic patterns, water quality, and how much development occurs in rural areas versus urban corridors.

Stakeholder feedback could shape changes

Knighting said their team reviewed the current TDR program and incorporated feedback from community groups, including Horse Farms Forever, whose white papers and input were reflected in the proposed changes.

“We did try to take the citizens input in, when making these recommendations,” Knighting said.

Commission Chair Kathy Bryant asked whether conversations had also taken place with developers, and if not using the program was due to complexity or lack of need.

Knighting confirmed that staff had spoken with developers, including one who had attempted to use the TDR program and had both positive and negative feedback.

Predictability is key to development choices

While one developer liked the concept of the TDR, they struggled with determining market rates and questioned whether their efforts would pay off. In one example, a developer applied for a planned unit development, was told to come back with TDR credits, did so, but never submitted a new application.

When they were asked why, they said their concern was the predictability, Knighting said. They could go through the entire process and still be told no.

What this means for residents

For homeowners, the success or failure of the TDR program could determine whether growth pressures impact horse farms, open land, or water quality near their neighborhoods.

For working residents, especially in real estate, construction, and planning, a more efficient, predictable TDR process could bring more projects and opportunities to properly zoned areas.

And for drivers, the stakes are high: strategic development means less traffic on rural roads and fewer commutes through sprawling subdivisions.

The board is expected to use input from these workshops to guide future decisions as Marion County continues to grow.

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