Submitted By: Emily W. Johnson
Presentation By: Emily W. Johnson
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Department: Growth Management
FORMAL TITLE (Motion Ready):
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Ordinance 2026-1 to amend the code of ordinances for permitted uses in the M-1, Light Industrial, zoning district to include churches/places of worship located on major and minor arterial roadways subject to supplemental regulations (COD25-0003)
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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• Applicant: A Plus Homes Inc.
• Agent: James W. Gooding, III, Gooding and Batsel, PLLC
BACKGROUND:
This is an applicant-initiated text amendment to the city’s Code of Ordinances to allow for a church/place of worship as a permitted use within the M-1, Light Industrial zoning district. The applicant owns M-1, light industrial-zoned property along SW 17th Street (SR 464), a classified arterial roadway. The surrounding area between US 441 and SW 19th Avenue Road maintains the M-1, Light Industrial zoning designation consistent with the redevelopment of the area (previously Taylor Field) as the Ocala Industrial Park. While a rezoning request is an option for the applicant, the area contains a mixture of industrial, retail, and office uses, and a rezoning request for a single property within this area would raise concerns regarding spot zoning and overall compatibility. The applicant chose to apply for a text amendment to the Code of Ordinances to allow for the church/place of worship use within the M-1 zoning district. Through discussions with staff, the text amendment includes certain restrictions to ensure that location (including major and minor arterial roadways) and compatibility are maintained. Specifically, the amendment consists of the following changes to the permitted uses chart and supplemental regulations for churches/places of worship:
• Amends the permitted uses chart and associated legend (Section 122-287) to reflect churches/places of worship as permitted in the M-1 zoning district, subject to supplemental regulations contained under Section 122-1195.
• Amends the intent and purpose of the M-1 zoning district (Sec. 122-761) to allow for other compatible uses.
• Amends the permitted principal uses of the M-1 zoning district (Sec. 122-762) to include churches/places of worship on major and minor arterial roadways.
• Amends the supplemental regulations for churches/places of worship (Section 122-1195) to reflect that a church/place of worship is permitted in the M-1 zoning district only on major and minor arterial roadways. This restriction reduces the number of properties that would qualify, allowing for a church/place of worship, and minimizing further concerns related to increased vehicular, pedestrian, and parking activities in these light industrial areas.
• Specifies that any private school or daycare use associated with a church/place of worship in the M-1 zoning district shall require an additional special exception approval.
The proposed amendment does not conflict with recent legislation contained in F.S. Chapter 2025-190 (formerly SB 180), which took effect on July 1, 2025, that restricts local governments from adopting more restrictive or burdensome amendments to the comprehensive plan or land development regulations. The proposed text amendment does not impose more restrictive or burdensome standards, as it provides for additional allowances for a previously prohibited use within the M-1 zoning district.
Planning and Zoning Commission:
The code amendment was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on October 13, 2025. The applicant’s agent provided additional context as to the location of the applicant’s property and the historical application of M-1, Light Industrial, zoning along SW 17th Street. There were no further comments or questions, and the Commission voted four to zero to recommend approval to the City Council.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
• The proposed amendment would allow for churches/places of worship along major and minor arterial roadways in the M-1 zoning district.
• The proposed amendment is consistent with the requirements for daycares in the M-1 zoning district, which require special exception approval.
• The proposed amendment requires a private elementary or secondary school associated with a church/place of worship in the M-1 zoning district to obtain a special exception. Private elementary or secondary schools are otherwise not permitted in the M-1 zoning district.
• The proposed amendment does not conflict with F.S. Chapter 2025-190 (formerly SB 180).
• The proposed amendment does not conflict with the Property Rights Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
The ordinance will be reviewed by the City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes
• Deny
• Table