A wooded eight-acre tract near SE 115th Street could soon be transformed into an 85-unit townhome community as a developer seeks city approval for a rezoning request scheduled to begin moving through the public hearing process next month.
According to documents submitted to the City of Belleview, Ocala Housing Solutions LLC is proposing a residential development known as “The Grove at Belleview” on approximately 8.03 acres located in the 11400 block of SE 55th Avenue Road. The project would require a rezoning from Multiple Family Residential (R-3) to Residential Planned Development (RPD).
City notices were recently mailed to nearby property owners informing them of the proposed rezoning. While the notices initially offered few details beyond the zoning request itself, application materials obtained by The Voice of South Marion reveal plans for 85 townhomes constructed in three phases. The development would include 10 units in Phase 1, 35 units in Phase 2 and 40 units in Phase 3. The proposed density equates to roughly 10.6 dwelling units per acre, approaching 11 units per acre across the site. According to the application, the project is intended to be consistent with the property’s Medium Density Residential future land use designation.
Site plans show rows of attached townhomes arranged around private internal roadways with parking areas throughout the development. The proposal also includes stormwater facilities, open space and common areas that would be maintained by a homeowners association. Individual townhome units would be sold separately rather than operated as a single apartment complex.
The proposed development is located in an area that has experienced significant growth pressure in recent years as new residential construction has spread across South Marion County. The site sits between SE 115th Street and SE 55th Avenue Road, both two-lane roadways that already serve existing neighborhoods and increasing traffic volumes generated by continued growth throughout the region. How the additional traffic generated by 85 townhomes may affect surrounding roads has not yet been addressed. A traffic analysis is usually submitted during the review of development and improvement plans.
The rezoning request may draw additional attention because the property is already zoned R-3 Multiple Family Residential. In its application, Ocala Housing Solutions states that the Planned Development designation is being sought to allow construction of the townhome community under a site-specific master plan.
Questions that may be raised during the public hearing process include the project’s impact on traffic, stormwater management, infrastructure capacity, school enrollment and compatibility with surrounding residential areas. Additional information regarding those issues is expected to become available as city staff completes its review of the application.
Public hearings on the proposal are scheduled before the Belleview Planning and Zoning Board on July 14 at 5:30 pm. The Belleview City Commission is expected to consider the rezoning request on first reading Aug. 18 and on final reading Sept. 15. Residents wishing to comment on the proposal will have opportunities to do so during the public hearing process.
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