Submitted By: Endira Madraveren
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Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Termination of Agreement Limiting Density between the City of Ocala and Ransome Group (Parcel 2830-000-01 and 23812-000-00)
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: An agreement between the Ransome Group Investors I, LLLP, and the City of Ocala, limiting density on certain properties, was approved by the City Council on December 21, 2005. The agreement was further assigned to Ransome Group Investors I, LLLP, and any successors in title. The current owner (successor in title) of a portion of the properties subject to the agreement, KAS Ocala, LLC, is seeking termination of this agreement as it applies to their properties. The request, along with the KAS Ocala, LLC property map and descriptions, is attached to this agenda item.
At the time of the agreement in 2005, the property owner was pursuing Future Land Use Map amendments to designate the properties as Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Retail Services, and Professional Services. As a result of those efforts, the Agreement Limiting Density was executed to ensure that development of the property did not exceed thresholds that would trigger review as a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) under Chapter 380, Florida Statutes. The agreement established caps on residential units, retail square footage, and office development, such that the combined development would remain below applicable DRI thresholds unless additional state review or approvals were obtained. Without the density restrictions, development at the maximum densities and intensities permitted under future land use categories would have exceeded the thresholds established under the Development of Regional Impact (DRI) provisions of the Florida Statutes in effect at that time.
On January 22, 2013, the City Council adopted Comprehensive Plan amendments consistent with the 2035 Vision, which eliminated the Retail Services Future Land Use Classification. The subject property is now designated as Medium Intensity/Special District.
Since the execution of the agreement, the regulatory framework governing DRI thresholds has been significantly modified and is no longer applicable. Further, the City has adopted updated Comprehensive Plan designations for the subject property. As a result, the Agreement Limiting Density is no longer necessary or appropriate to regulate development intensity and density for DRI thresholds. The current Comprehensive Plan future land use governs density and intensity for the subject properties.
Termination of the Agreement Limiting Density will allow the parcels to be developed subject to the density and intensity limitations defined by the current Medium Intensity/Special District future land use category, providing for a maximum intensity of 4.0 floor area ratio (FAR) and a maximum density of 30 dwelling units per acre. Consistent with the Medium Intensity/Special District future land use, a proposed Planned Development (PD) has been subsequently submitted and scheduled for a final hearing on May 5, 2026.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Development of the subject parcels will be governed by the density and intensity limitations established by the Medium Intensity/Special District future land use, as may be further refined through zoning and the land development regulations. The current owner has submitted for a PD rezoning along with a PD Plan and Standards Book that will govern the development of the property if subsequently approved.
The Agreement Limiting Density was originally executed to ensure development remained below applicable DRI thresholds. Given subsequent changes to state law and the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the agreement is no longer necessary to regulate development intensity.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes
• Table
• Deny