The problem in Marion County is the approval of unregulated growth by our county commissioners, who allow developers to come in and build expensive “planned unit developments” of upwards of 160 or more housing units. I know contractors and developers are in greedy cahoots, but I am left wondering why our county commissioners are approving these developments, which result in the disappearance of agricultural land, green spaces, and the crowding out of our animal life.
The population in Marion County in 1970 was 70,565, and it is now five times that. One possible answer is a complete moratorium on approving expensive housing ($350,000) that common folks (who make $13.50 to $15.00 an hour) cannot afford, while only approving affordable housing for first-time homebuyers and low-income senior citizens. These units could be built on existing, unused, or previously used property that would not intrude on existing agriculture and green spaces.
It is time for our county commissioners to start looking out for all of us who live in Marion County. I would like to close by saying that one only needs to look to most countries in Europe as a model for infrastructure and transportation. Elementary school children can walk to school on sidewalks or ride their bicycles on dedicated bicycle lanes.
David Ownby
Silver Springs, FL
