The Belleview Planning and Zoning Board may have voted 3-1 to recommend approval of The Grove at Belleview, but residents opposed to the proposed 85-unit townhome development still have several opportunities to make their concerns heard. The project now heads to the Belleview City Commission, with a first reading scheduled for Aug. 18 and a final public hearing and vote scheduled for Sept. 15. The property in question is near SE 115th Street and SE 55th Avenue Road.
It is important to understand what the developer is asking for. Townhomes can already be built on the eight-acre property. Under its current R-3 zoning, however, development is limited to eight homes per acre, or approximately 64 units.
The developer is seeking Residential Planned Development zoning, which would allow up to 11 units per acre because the property is within a half-mile of “Belleview’s Central Business District” and the plan includes a connection to the “city’s sidewalk system”.
For residents who remain concerned, here are practical ways to stay involved:
1. Attend the City Commission hearings
The Planning and Zoning Board does not have the final say. Its 3-1 vote was a recommendation. Belleview’s elected City Commission is scheduled to consider the rezoning on first reading Aug. 18, followed by a final public hearing and vote Sept. 15. Residents can attend those meetings and speak during the public hearing.
Specific concerns backed by photographs, documents, dates or other evidence may carry more weight.
2. Document flooding now
Flooding was one of the biggest concerns raised by residents during the Planning and Zoning hearing, and the city’s own staff report acknowledges that the property is located within a flood zone.
Residents who already experience flooding can photograph and document conditions following heavy rains, including dates, locations, standing water, flooded roads and where water appears to flow.
Those records could become particularly relevant when stormwater plans are reviewed. Future development must meet City of Belleview and St. Johns River Water Management District drainage requirements. Residents can search pending permit applications at sjrwmd.com/permitting/public by project name or county, review application details, and submit comments. Once an Environmental Resource Permit application for the project appears, residents can try searching for The Grove at Belleview, Ocala Housing Solutions or Marion County to locate it. Written comments can also be submitted by email to applicationsupport@sjrwmd.com.
3. Keep an eye on the wildlife
Residents at the Planning and Zoning hearing reported seeing wildlife on the property, including gopher tortoises and wood ducks. Anyone who observes protected wildlife or suspected gopher tortoise burrows should document what they see from a lawful location without entering private property or disturbing animals or their burrows.
Wildlife concerns should be reported to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which oversees protections and permitting for many of Florida’s protected wildlife species. Professionals can then determine whether additional surveys, permits or protections are required. Residents should document legitimate observations, not speculate about species that might be present.
4. Watch the traffic review
SE 55th Avenue Road was repeatedly mentioned by residents who described the road as already being in poor condition. The rezoning vote will not settle that issue.
According to the city’s staff report, a future Transportation Concurrency application will address any road improvements that may be necessary on SE 55th Avenue Road and SE 115th Street.
Residents interested in the traffic issue can follow that application and review traffic studies, projected vehicle trips and any proposed roadway improvements when those documents become available. The Voice will also continue following the project and report on those studies.
5. Remember that rezoning isn’t a building permit
Even if commissioners approve the rezoning in September, bulldozers don’t automatically arrive the following morning. City staff noted that rezoning approval would not give the developer the green light to start building. Additional Development Plan and Transportation applications will still be required. Those reviews will address issues including stormwater retention and potential road improvements.
For residents who oppose the project, the 3-1 Planning and Zoning vote was a setback, but it wasn’t the final decision. The next major decision belongs to the Belleview City Commission on Aug. 18.
