By Byrce Abshier – Contact Bryce@voiceofsouthmarion.com
A vacant two-acre parcel along SE Highway 484, just east of Dollar General and west of a county drainage retention area, is being proposed for one of Marion County’s largest permanent food truck parks. The project, filed by Walter Pimentel on behalf of property owner Carla Garcia, seeks a Special Use Permit to allow a permanent outdoor food truck park on a ±2.02-acre site zoned Neighborhood Business (B-1).
If approved, the site could host up to 24 food trucks surrounding a central open-air dining pavilion with about 120 seats. Plans submitted to the county also include permanent restrooms, hand-washing stations, ceiling fans, and parking arranged around the dining area.
The site currently has no assigned street address and is undeveloped, containing only a few trees, drainage culverts, and an existing access apron along SE 484. The location sits at a sensitive crossroads between commercial and residential uses.
To the west is Dollar General and other commercial zoning along SE 484. To the east is a government-owned drainage retention area. To the north sits Tropicana Village, a mobile-home subdivision zoned Mixed Residential. To the south and west lies Belleview Heights Estates, a single-family subdivision.
County planners acknowledged the proximity to homes and recommended multiple buffering requirements, including landscaping strips and fencing along residential boundaries.
County staff estimate that a food truck park of this size could generate up to 160 peak-hour vehicle trips during the busiest evening hours. That estimate is based on national transportation data for food cart pods, sit-down restaurants, and fast-food establishments.
The property currently has one driveway along SE 484, which may not meet county spacing standards. If that access is not approved during formal site review, the site would rely on cross-access through the neighboring Dollar General property.
A full traffic study will be required during development review, and any roadway improvements needed to handle the volume of vehicles would be paid for by the developer.
While Marion County’s zoning code does not specifically address food truck parks, staff relied on parking standards used by other Central Florida counties. Under the recommended conditions, the site must provide four parking spaces for the first food truck and two additional spaces for each truck after that.
For 24 food trucks, that equals 50 required parking spaces. The concept plan currently shows 56 spaces.
Because the property is boxed in by residential neighborhoods, commercial development, and a retention pond, staff emphasized that overflow parking spilling into nearby areas would not be acceptable.
The property lies within the City of Belleview’s utility service area, but the nearest water and sewer lines are between 900 and 1,600 feet away. County utilities staff indicated that connection to central water and wastewater systems would likely be required unless waivers are granted.
Grease traps will also be required for the food trucks, whether the site uses city utilities or private systems.
Because the site lies within the Secondary Springs Protection Zone, any wells or septic systems would also have to meet state environmental standards.
The county is recommending strict operating conditions if the project is approved. Under the proposed Special Use Permit:
• Operating hours would be limited to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Alcohol sales and consumption would be prohibited unless separately approved.
• Amplified noise would not be allowed.
• All food trucks must sit on concrete pads.
• Permanent bathrooms would be required.
• Landscaping and buffers must be installed along nearby homes.
• Exterior lighting must meet glare and safety standards.
The permit would run with the current property owner, Carla Garcia, meaning it would not transfer automatically if the land is sold.
The permit would also expire on February 17, 2029, though it could be renewed administratively up to three additional three-year terms if there are no unresolved code violations or substantiated neighborhood complaints.
Despite the nearby neighborhoods, Marion County Growth Services staff concluded that the food truck park is consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan and with the intent of B-1 zoning, which allows neighborhood-scale restaurants and commercial activity.
Staff also noted that fast-food restaurants and drive-throughs, which generate more traffic than a sit-down dining area, are already allowed as special uses in this zoning district.
For those reasons, staff is recommending that the Planning and Zoning Commission forward the project to the County Commission with approval and conditions.
Final approval or denial will be decided by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners on February 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. As of the initial staff report, one letter of opposition had been submitted by a nearby property owneral growth.
