By Bryce Abshier – Contact Bryce@voiceofsouthmarion.com
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners has approved a zoning change that will allow for the development of a new residential community in the South Marion area. The project, planned for an 84.37-acre property on the north side of SE 92nd Loop, near Baseline Road, will transition from Single-Family Dwelling (R-1) to Planned Unit Development (PUD), enabling the construction of up to 337 tightly clustered single-family homes.
The development will feature 50-foot-wide lots, with home prices reportedly ranging from $300,000 to $400,000. The decision to approve the development came after a lengthy meeting, with limited public comment as the hearing took place several hours into the session. The homes will feature side setbacks of 7.5 feet. Commissioner Craig Curry’s motion to approve the project was met with unanimous support from the Board.
Many residents have voiced frustration as this approval is part of a larger wave of development underway in South Marion County, particularly around Baseline Road and SE 92nd Loop. The area could see around 1,600 new homes and potential multi-floor apartment buildings, altering the community’s landscape. The new developments include two projects in unincorporated Marion County and a massive 1,000-plus unit development within Belleview city limits. The City of Belleview will provide water and sewer utilities for each of these planned developments.
In addition to the PUD development that was met with unanimous approval, another large development proposal by Red Jacket Development Group, LLC, for a 52.15-acre property adjacent to the approved project, is under review. This proposal includes 362 residential units, comprising 58 single-family homes and 304 multifamily units. The hearing for this project has been rescheduled by the Board of County Commissioners to September, marking the second delay and further adding to community frustration. This item was originally heard by the Board of County Commissioners on May 21. The Board of County Commissioners agreed to continue the meeting on June 18, to allow the applicant to “consider design specifications compatible with the neighboring properties,” referring to the multi-floor apartment units. At the June 18 meeting, the applicant did not show up, so the decision was again pushed back.
Many residents feel that Marion County’s aggressive development threatens to undermine the character and quality of life in their communities. The upcoming August elections for the Board of County Commissioners have intensified the debate over what many are calling reckless and underfunded growth. On the ballot for the upcoming election are Sarah Almeida Dennis, who is challenging incumbent Commissioner Craig Curry for the District 1 seat, while David Blackwell is contesting Commissioner Matthew McClain for the District 3 seat. Commissioner Michelle Stone is running unopposed.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners has approved a zoning change for the Belleview 85 development, enabling the construction of up to 337 homes on an 84.37-acre property. The approval is part of a broader pattern of development in South Marion County, set to introduce around 1,600 new homes. The image above, displayed as a slide at the recent hearing, shows stylistic images of homes that will range from $300k to $400k.
The project site will transition from Single-Family Dwelling (R-1) to Planned Unit Development (PUD), allowing for the construction of up to 337 homes. This decision contributes to a larger wave of development in South Marion County, which will see around 1,600 new homes. Above, a slide displayed at the hearing shows the current undeveloped site.
