Submitted By: David Sablan
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
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Department: Growth Management
FORMAL TITLE:
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Ordinance 2026-17 to annex approximately 82.40 acres for property located at 5575 SW 52nd Street (Parcel 23835-000-00) (Case ANX26-0001) (Quasi-Judicial).
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
• Petitioner/Property Owner: Ocala 52 Partners, LLC
• Agent: Tillman & Associates Engineering, LLC
Key Points:
The petitioner is requesting to annex the subject property into the city to facilitate future development of the site and connection to available city utilities. The petitioner has submitted two concurrent petitions:
• Future land use amendment to change the future land use classification from High Residential (County) to Low Intensity (City) (LUC26-0001)
• Rezoning to change the zoning from A-1 General Agriculture (County) to PD, Planned Development (City) (PD26-0001).
The applicant acquired the property in July of 2024, and it is approximately 82.40 acres. Currently, the subject property is not located within the Ocala city limits and is within the jurisdiction of Marion County. The property has the following current Marion County designations:
• Future Land Use: High Residential (up to 8/units per acre)
• Zoning: General Agriculture (A-1)
• Current Use: Agriculture
The subject property was formerly used for mining of earth and other minerals until approximately 2022. As a result of the discontinuation of mining activities, FDEP has since issued a Release of Reclamation Obligations in recognition of reclamation activities completed since the mining activity ceased on the property. There are currently several small structures and a septic system on the property, which must be removed prior to any further development of the site. At the southern end of the property, there is a ±6.7-acre lake, and at the northeasterly corner of the property, there is a ±16,000 square foot pond. The concurrently submitted zoning (PD) amendment indicates that both water bodies will be preserved and are integrated into the design of the PD as amenities and drainage retention areas.
Zoning and Land Use Details:
Annexation of the subject property will provide the city with jurisdiction and oversight for any future development of the property. Having direct decision-making authority over development will help the city ensure appropriate urban development that is compatible with other nearby and adjacent city properties. Further, the annexation and future development will facilitate connection to city utilities, improving the efficiency and maintenance of public facilities while also eliminating the negative impacts of the existing septic system.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
• The subject property shares a common property boundary with properties within the City to the north.
• The annexation will not result in the creation of an enclave.
• The requested annexation and future development of the property will provide a positive return on connection to City services.
• The annexation will establish the City as the decision-making authority over the property, providing the opportunity to ensure appropriate and compatible urban development along this southwest fringe area of the city.
• No level of service issues have been identified for public facilities, with the exception that there are currently no connection points for sanitary sewer within the right-of-way of SW 52nd Street. A sanitary sewer connection will be required to the north within the Fore Ranch development.
Staff recommends approval with the following conditions:
1. The existing agricultural use shall cease within one year after zoning approval or prior to any future development of the site whichever occurs first.
2. The existing structures and septic system must be removed from the property prior to any future development of the property.
3. Connection to city public facilities will be required upon further development of the property.
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
SUPPORT MATERIALS
• Staff Report
• Case Map
• Aerial Map
• Fiscal Impact Analysis
ORDINANCE 2026-17
AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING TO THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5575 SW 52ND STREET (PARCEL 23835-000-00), APPROXIMATELY 82.40 ACRES (ANX26-0001), MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 171, FLORIDA STATUTES, PROVIDING FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SAID ANNEXATION, DESCRIBING THE AREA TO BE ANNEXED; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATION AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, owners of real property to an unincorporated area of Marion County which is contiguous to the City of Ocala, Florida, have petitioned the City Council of the City of Ocala that said property be annexed to the City of Ocala, Florida, in accordance with Section 171.044, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that the City has public facilities available to accommodate the property, future development will be required to connect and extend city facilities as necessary; and
WHEREAS, the applicant provided a fiscal impact analysis that yields a positive return for the City of Ocala by indicating a development consisting of private rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined by the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida, that the petition bears the signature of all owners of property in the area proposed to be annexed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, in regular session as follows:
Section 1. City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida in accordance with the powers given and granted to said City of Ocala in and by Chapter 171, Florida Statutes, does hereby redefine the boundary lines of the City of Ocala, so as to include therein the property contiguous thereto and described below:
THE NE ¼ OF THE SW ¼ AND THE SE ¼ OF THE SW ¼ OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 15 SOUTH, RANGE 21 EAST, MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. EXCEPT THE SOUTH 30 FEET FOR ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY.
AND
THE WEST 1.5 CHAINS OF THE SW ¼ OF SE ¼ OF SECTION 33, TOWNSHIP 15 SOUTH, RANGE 21 EAST, MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA.
BEING 82.40 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.
Section 2. Direction to Staff. The City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida directs staff to take any and all steps necessary to effectuate the adoption and implementation of this ordinance; and all other matters as provided for above and herein as well as to ensure the orderly and effective administration and implementation of the intent of this ordinance and the specific matters outlined herein.
Section 3. Repealing Inconsistent and/or Conflicting Provisions. The City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida hereby specifically repeals, to the extent of any such conflict, any and all ordinances, resolutions, policies, procedures, and/or other articles which are conflicting and/or inconsistent with this ordinance and the intent and direction provided by the City Council herein.
Section 4. Severability of Ordinance Provisions. If any section, phrase, sentence or portion of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, it is the intent of the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida that (1) such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision; (2) such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof; and (3) this ordinance be adopted as though any such provision was not included herein.
Section 5. Modifications Arising from Consideration at a Public Hearing. It is the intention of the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida that (1) the provisions of this ordinance may be modified as a result of its consideration by the City Council of matters that may arise during the public hearing(s) at which this ordinance is considered; and (2) any such modifications shall be incorporated into the final version of this ordinance.
Section 6. Direction to the Codifier. It is the intention of the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida that (1) the property described in Section 1 of this ordinance be annexed; (2) the sections and paragraphs of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered in order to accomplish said intention; (3) terms or headings not affecting the intent of this ordinance may be changed to further accomplish said intention; and (4) any scrivener’s error(s) contained herein which do not affect the intent of this ordinance be corrected with the authorization of the City Manager or their designee and without the need for additional public hearings or consideration by City Council.
Section 7. Terms and Conditions. The annexation of the subject property is subject to the following conditions:
1. The existing agricultural use shall cease within one year after zoning approval or prior to any future development of the site whichever occurs first.
2. The existing structures and septic system must be removed from the property prior to any future development of the property.
3. Connection to city public facilities will be required upon further development of the property.
Section 8. This ordinance shall become effective upon approval by the mayor, or upon becoming law without such approval.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Ire Bethea, Sr.
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved/Denied by me as Mayor of the City of Ocala, Florida, on __________________, 2026.
By: __________________________________
Ben Marciano
Mayor
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Ordinance No: 2026-17
Introduced: 6/3/2026
Adopted: Click or tap to enter a date.
Legal Ad No: Click or tap here to enter text.