Submitted By: Emily W. Johnson, AICP
Presentation By: Emily Johnson
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Introduce Ordinance 2025-32 to amend the boundaries of the Ridge at Heath Brook Community Development District generally located southeast of SW Highway 200 (College Road) and west of I-75 by adding approximately 29.142 acres to increase the size of the Community Development District to approximately 104.938 acres (Case No. CDD25-0001) (Quasi-Judicial)
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Fiscally Sustainable
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
Pursuant to F.S. 190.005(1)(d) a Star Banner Ad was placed once a week for four successive weeks: June 3, 2025, June 10, 2025, June 17, 2025, and June 24, 2025
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BACKGROUND:
A community development district (CDD) is an independent unit of special-purpose local government authorized to plan, finance, construct, operate, and maintain community-wide infrastructure in planned community developments. A CDD provides a “solution to the state’s planning, management, and financing needs for delivery of capital infrastructure to service projected growth without overburdening other governments and their taxpayers,” per Section 190.002(1)(a), F.S.
A CDD is not a substitute for the local, general-purpose government unit, i.e., the city or county in which the CDD lies. A CDD does not possess the permitting, zoning, or policing powers typically held by general-purpose governments. A CDD is an alternate means of financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining public infrastructure for developments, such as Ridge at Heath Brook.
On June 15, 2021, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2021-58, establishing the Ridge at Heath Brook Community Development District (District). The original boundaries of the District encompassed approximately 39.365 acres and were projected to contain approximately 135 residential dwelling units. On February 21, 2023, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2023-35 amending the boundaries of the District. The amendment added 36.431 acres, increasing the total size to 75.796 acres and the projected number of residential dwelling units to 282.
The District has petitioned the city to further amend the boundaries to include an additional 29.142 acres, thereby increasing the total size to 104.938 acres. A total of 391 residential dwelling units are now projected.
The District is proposing to fund the following facilities:
As an alternative, the developer may elect to privately finance any of the above improvements and transfer them upon completion to a homeowner’s association for ownership and operations.
Annually, the District is required to provide its proposed budget to the city at least 60 days prior to adoption for informational purposes. A public facilities report is required within one year of the District’s creation, then an annual notice of any changes, and an updated report every seven years at least 12 months prior to submission of the City’s evaluation and appraisal of the comprehensive plan report to the State.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The city considers the factors required pursuant to F.S. 190.005(1)(e) to make a determination to grant or deny a petition for the amendment to a community development district. The city makes the following findings:
1. The City, in determining whether to establish the District boundaries, has considered and finds that all statements contained in the Petition to Amend the Boundaries of Ridge at Heath Brook Community Development District are true and correct.
2. The City has considered and finds that the expansion of the District is not inconsistent with any applicable element or portion of the applicable Comprehensive Plan.
3. The City has considered and finds that the area of land within the District is a sufficient size, is sufficiently compact, and is sufficiently contiguous to be developed as a functional interrelated community.
4. The City has considered and finds that the District is an available alternative for delivering community development services and facilities to the area that will be served by the District.
5. The City has considered and finds that the community development services and facilities of the District will not be incompatible with the capacity and uses of existing local and regional community development services and facilities.
6. The City has considered and finds that it is not problematic for the subject area to be served by a separate special-district government.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
PROCUREMENT REVIEW: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: The ordinance is pending review by the City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with changes
• Deny
• Table
ORDINANCE 2025-32
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 2021-58 AND 2023-35, TO EXPAND THE BOUNDARIES OF THE RIDGE AT HEATH BROOK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 190, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Ocala, Florida (“City”) enacted Ordinance 2021-58, establishing the Ridge at Heath Brook Community Development District (“District” or “Petitioner”), as amended by Ordinance No. 2023-35, amending the boundaries of the District, pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, District has petitioned the City to adopt an ordinance amending the boundaries of the Ridge at Heath Brook Community Development District (“District”) pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, and granting certain special powers; and
WHEREAS, the City, in determining whether to amend the District boundaries, has considered and finds that all statements contained in the Petition to Amend the Boundaries of Ridge at Heath Brook Community Development District (“Petition”) are true and correct; and
WHEREAS, the City has considered and finds that amending the District is not inconsistent with any applicable element or portion of the City of Ocala’s Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City has considered and finds that the area of land within the District is a sufficient size, is sufficiently compact, and is sufficiently contiguous to be developed as a functional interrelated community; and
WHEREAS, the City has considered and finds that the District is the best alternative for delivering the community development services and facilities to the area that will be served by the District; and
WHEREAS, the City has considered and finds that the community development services and facilities of the District will not be incompatible with the capacity and uses of existing local and regional community development services and facilities; and
WHEREAS, the city has considered and finds that the area that will be served by the District is amenable to separate special-district government; and
WHEREAS, a duly noticed public hearing, pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, to consider the Petition was held prior to the adoption of this Ordinance establishing the District.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1: LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE FINDINGS. The above recitals are hereby adopted as the legislative and administrative findings of the City of Ocala City Council (“City Council”).
SECTION 2: AUTHORITY. This ordinance is adopted in compliance with and pursuant to the Uniform Community Development Act of 1980, Chapter 190, Florida Statutes (2024).
SECTION 3: AMENDMENT TO EXTERNAL BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICT. The external boundaries of the District are amended as described in Exhibit A attached hereto.
SECTION 4: ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION OF SCRIVENER’S ERRORS. The administrative correction of typographical and/or scrivener’s errors in this Ordinance which do not affect the intent may be authorized by the City Manager or designee, without need of public hearing, by filing a corrected or recodified copy of same with the City Clerk.
SECTION 5: SEVERABILITY. It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this Ordinance are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this Ordinance.
SECTION 6: CONFLICTS. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. Except as stated herein, Ordinance No. 2021-58 remains in full force and effect.
SECTION 7: EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall become effective upon approval by the mayor, or upon becoming law without such approval .
PASSED AND ADOPTED at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida, held on the ____ day of ______________, 2025.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Kristen M. Dreyer
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved/Denied by me as Mayor of the City of Ocala, Florida, on __________________, 2025.
By: __________________________________
Ben Marciano
Mayor
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Ordinance No: 2025-32
Introduced: 6/17/2025
Adopted: Click or tap to enter a date.
Legal Ad No: Click or tap here to enter text.
EXHIBIT A
RIDGE AT HEATH BROOK CDD LEGAL DESCRIPTION, AS AMENDED (2025)
DESCRIPTION:(Written by GEOPOINT SURVEYING, INC.)
A portion of land lying in Section 34, Township 15 South, Range 21 East and a portion of
Section 3, Township 16 South, Range 21 East, Marion
County, Florida, and being more particularly described as follows:
COMMENCE at the Northeast corner of said Section 3; thence N89°20'20"W, along the North line of Section 3, a distance of 115.68 feet to the Southeast corner of EXECUTIVE PARK, as recorded in Plat Book T, Pages 11 through 13, of the public records of Marion County, Florida; thence N89°20'20"W, along the South line of EXECUTIVE PARK and the North line of Section 3, a distance of 2,365.40 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence S.09°14'25"E., a distance of 108.30 feet; thence 5.32°21'14"E., a distance of 55.05 feet; thence S.07°07'22"E., a distance of 133.55 feet; thence Easterly, 60.64 feet along the arc of a non-tangent curve to the right having a radius of 675.00 feet and a central angle of 05°08'50" (chord bearing N.76°19'24"E., 60.62 feet); thence 5.11°06'11"E., a distance of 125.00 feet; thence S.34°29'20"E., a distance of 54.99 feet; thence 5.08°36'03"E., a distance of 125.01 feet; thence N.82°31'04"E., a distance of 21.55 feet; thence S.07°07'22"E., a distance of 125.00 feet; thence S.33°25'17"E., a distance of 55.77 feet; thence S.07°07'22"E., a distance of 125.00 feet; thence N.82°52'38"E., a distance of 36.29 feet; thence S.07°07'22"E., a distance of 175.00 feet; thence 5.82°52'38"W., a distance of 47.52 feet; thence Southwesterly, 39.27 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the left having a radius of 25.00 feet and a central angle of 90°00'00" (chord bearing S.37°52'38"W., 35.36 feet); thence 5.83°59'27"W., a distance of 50.01 feet; thence 5.07°07'22"E., a distance of 45.08 feet; thence Southerly, 204.19 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the right having a radius of 475.00 feet and a central angle of 24°37'49" (chord bearing S.05°11'32"W., 202.62 feet); thence Southerly, 214.58 feet along the arc of a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 725.00 feet and a central angle of 16°57'29" (chord bearing 5.09°01'42"W., 213.80 feet); thence S.00°32'58"W., a distance of 96.28 feet; thence S.11°51'15"W., a distance of 77.00 feet; thence 5.02°35'16"W., a distance of 122.94 feet; thence 5.00°00'30"W., a distance of 20.17 feet; thence Westerly, 223.14 feet along the arc of a non-tangent curve to the right having a radius of 960.00 feet and a central angle of 13°19'03" (chord bearing N.80°08'54"W., 222.64 feet); thence Northwesterly, 371.76 feet along the arc of a compound curve to the right having a radius of 1305.00 feet and a central angle of 16°19'19" (chord bearing N.65°19'43"W., 370.50 feet); thence S.70°14'30"W., a distance of 91.50 feet; thence N.11°55'40"W., a distance of 735.58 feet; thence 5.80°00'30"W., a distance of 668.21 feet; thence N.10°17'40"W., a distance of 144.01 feet; thence N.41°45'28"E., a distance of 620.83 feet; thence N.19°08'27"E., a distance of 295.63 feet; thence N.41°08'51"E., a distance of 314.68 feet; thence 5.48°10'53"E., a distance of 317.64 feet; thence N.57°38'25"E., a distance of 340.05 feet; thence N.82°51'32"E., a distance of 79.04 feet; thence 5.18°14'00"E., a distance of 20.41 feet; thence S.09°14'25"E., a distance of 11.99 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.
Containing 39.365 acres, more or less.
TOGETHER WITH:
DESCRIPTION: RIDGE AT HEATH BROOK TAKEDOWN 2
A portion of land lying in Section 3, Township 16 South, Range 21 East, Marion County, Florida, and being more particularly described as follows:
COMMENCE at the Northeast corner of said Section 3; thence N89°20'20"W, along the North line of Section 3, a distance of 115.68 feet to the Southeast corner of EXECUTIVE PARK, as recorded in Plat Book T, Pages 11 through 13, of the public records of Marion County, Florida; thence continue N89°20'20"W, along the South line of EXECUTIVE PARK and the North line of Section 3, a distance of 692.26 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence leaving said South line of aforementioned EXECUTIVE PARK and said North line of Section 3, Southerly, 82.17 feet along the arc of a non-tangent curve to the left having a radius of 2352.00 feet and a central angle of 2°00'06" (chord bearing S.12°41'14"E., 82.17 feet); thence S.13°41'17"E., a distance of 245.78 feet; thence Southerly, 491.39 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the right having a radius of 1940.00 feet and a central angle of 14°30'46" (chord bearing S.06°25'54"E., 490.08 feet) to REFERENCE POINT "A"; thence N.89°54'50"W., a distance of 155.52 feet; thence Westerly, 323.09 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the left having a radius of 630.00 feet and a central angle of 29°23'00" (chord bearing S.75°23'41"W., 319.56 feet); thence Westerly, 110.62 feet along the arc of a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 325.00 feet and a central angle of 19°30'05" (chord bearing S.70°27'13"W., 110.09 feet); thence S.80°12'16"W., a distance of 170.11 feet; thence Westerly, 230.05 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the right having a radius of 1025.00 feet and a central angle of 12°51'34" (chord bearing S.86°38'03"W., 229.57 feet); thence Westerly, 262.24 feet along the arc of a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 1475.00 feet and a central angle of 10°11'12" (chord bearing S.87°58'14"W., 261.90 feet); thence S.82°52'38"W., a distance of 241.97 feet; thence N.07°07'22"W., a distance of 175.00 feet; thence S.82°52'38"W., a distance of 36.29 feet; thence N.07°07'22"W., a distance of 125.00 feet; thence N.33°25'17"W., a distance of 55.77 feet; thence N.07°07'22"W., a distance of 125.00 feet; thence S.82°31'04"W., a distance of 21.55 feet; thence N.08°36'03"W., a distance of 125.01 feet; thence N.34°29'20"W., a distance of 54.99 feet; thence N.11°06'11"W., a distance of 125.00 feet; thence Westerly, 60.64 feet along the arc of a non-tangent curve to the left having a radius of 675.00 feet and a central angle of 5°08'50" (chord bearing S.76°19'24"W., 60.62 feet); thence N.07°07'22"W., a distance of 133.55 feet; thence N.32°21'14"W., a distance of 55.05 feet; thence N.09°14'25"W., a distance of 108.30 feet; thence N.09°14'25"W., a distance of 11.99 feet; thence N.18°14'00"W., a distance of 20.41 feet to the point of intersection the South line HEATH BROOK NORTH B-2, as recorded in Plat Book 9, Pages 149 through 152, of the public records of Marion County, Florida; thence N.82°51'32"E., along said South line of aforementioned HEATH BROOK NORTH B-2, a distance of 1060.88 feet to the Southeast corner of aforementioned HEATH BROOK NORTH B-2, same being the point of intersection with the West line of aforementioned EXECUTIVER PARK; thence S.00°08'38"W., along said West line of aforementioned EXECUTIVE PARK, a distance of 175.14 feet to the Southwest corner of aforementioned EXECUTIVE PARK; thence S.89°20'20"E., along the South of aforementioned EXECUTIVE PARK, a distance of 629.17 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.
Containing 36.431 acres, more or less.
TOGETHER WITH:
DESCRIPTION: Ridge at Heath Brook Takedown 3
A portion of land lying in Section 3, Township 16 South, Range 21 East, Marion County,
Florida, and being more particularly described as follows:
COMMENCE at the Northeast corner of said Section 3, run thence N89°20’20”W, along the North line of Section 3, a distance of 115.68 feet to the Southeast corner of EXECUTIVE PARK, as recorded in Plat Book T, Pages 11 through 13, of the public records of Marion County, Florida; thence continue N89°20’20”W, along the South line of EXECUTIVE PARK and the North line of Section 3, a distance of 692.26 feet; thence leaving said South line of aforementioned EXECUTIVE PARK and said North line Section 3, Southerly, 82.17 feet along the arc of a non-tangent curve to the left having a radius of 2352.00 feet and a central angle of 2°00'06" (chord bearing S.12°41'14"E., 82.17 feet); thence S.13°41'17"E., a distance of 245.78 feet; thence Southerly, 491.39 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the right having a radius of 1940.00 feet and a central angle of 14°30'46" (chord bearing S.06°25'54"E., 490.08 feet) to the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence continue Southerly, 806.92 feet along the arc of a curve to the right having a radius of 1940.00 feet and a central angle of 23°49'53" (chord bearing S.12°44'25"W., 801.11 feet); thence S.66°52'19"W., a distance of 359.10 feet; thence Southwesterly, 262.03 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the left having a radius of 340.00 feet and a central angle of 44°09'20" (chord bearing S.44°47'39"W., 255.59 feet); thence Westerly, 450.07 feet along the arc of a non-tangent curve to the left having a radius of 425.04 feet and a central angle of 60°40'10" (chord bearing N.68°15'21"W., 429.33 feet); thence S.81°24'34"W., a distance of 375.88 feet; thence Westerly, 197.43 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the right having a radius of 960.00 feet and a central angle of 11°47'00" (chord bearing S.87°18'04"W., 197.09 feet); thence N.00°00'30"E., a distance of 20.17 feet; thence N.02°35'16"E., a distance of 122.94 feet; thence N.11°51'15"E., a distance of 77.00 feet; thence N.00°32'58"E., a distance of 96.28 feet; thence Northerly, 214.58 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the right having a radius of 725.00 feet and a central angle of 16°57'29" (chord bearing N.09°01'42"E., 213.80 feet); thence Northerly, 204.19 feet along the arc of a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 475.00 feet and a central angle of 24°37'49" (chord bearing N.05°11'32"E., 202.62 feet); thence N.07°07'22"W., a distance of 45.08 feet; thence N.83°59'27"E., a distance of 50.01 feet; thence Northeasterly, 39.27 feet along the arc of a non-tangent curve to the right having a radius of 25.00 feet and a central angle of 90°00'00" (chord bearing N.37°52'38"E., 35.36 feet); thence N.82°52'38"E., a distance of 289.49 feet; thence Easterly, 262.24 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the right having a radius of 1475.00 feet and a central angle of 10°11'12" (chord bearing N.87°58'14"E., 261.90 feet); thence Easterly, 230.05 feet along the arc of a reverse curve to the left having a radius of 1025.00 feet and a central angle of 12°51'34" (chord bearing N.86°38'03"E., 229.57 feet); thence N.80°12'16"E., a distance of 170.11 feet; thence Easterly, 110.62 feet along the arc of a tangent curve to the left having a radius of 325.00 feet and a central angle of 19°30'05" (chord bearing N.70°27'13"E., 110.09 feet); thence Easterly, 323.09 feet along the arc of a reverse curve to the right having a radius of 630.00 feet and a central angle of 29°23'00" (chord bearing N.75°23'41"E., 319.56 feet); thence S.89°54'50"E., a distance of 155.52 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.
Containing 29.142 acres, more or less.
FOR A TOTAL OF 104.938 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.