Stop (13) 13 & 15 Unit Multi-Plex Units Behind SW OCALA- West Marion Hospital, Fore Ranch, Saddlewood Estates, & Country Oaks

The residents of Ocala must take a stand against the mass building of apartments and multi-plex developments being proposed by out of town developers who are coming into our home and wrecking our infrastructure, damaging our properties, threatening our water, endangering our wildlife, destroying our culture, increasing our traffic, and adding overflow to the already combusting S.W. Ocala schools and all for the money they gain in their pocket and NO concern to local residents or the aftermath that we will have to deal with.

Specifically, please consider signing this petition if you oppose the request to rezone to planned development for the property located behind West Marion Hospital that will affect residents of Fore Ranch/Cimmaron, Saddlewood Estates, Country Oaks, and MORE (SE corner of SW 48 Ave and SW 42 street, approximately 12.37 acres). This property is currently zoned as B1 although it is being presented as no zoning.

The proposed development on this property is by JMJ and WAS for a 35 multi unit quadruplex facility that will all be independently owned (that equals DISASTER). HOWEVER, we learned at the recent City Council meeting that this original proposal has been revised without any notification to nearby residents and has INCREASED to a 13 and 15 unit Multi- PLEX plan that will cause major stress to the Hospital's emergency vehicle entrance/roadway, every surrounding resident, S.W. Ocala schools, wildlife, and infrastructure.

This property is NOT an appropriate step down, nor is it attractive, make sense, or in harmony with the homes along side of it, The land is NOT designed, with its linear shape, for the amount of homes and type of high density development they want to place onto it. City Planner and Growth Management Director, Tye Chighizola and his dept. also have concerns with the design and proposal. There are many concerns specifically with the entrance/exits and sharing access to the hospital. I question if this property is even buildable with the low lying nature and current flooding and sink holes in the area. There was MUCH debate among staff and developers before we the people of Ocala could even speak and you can hear it here: http://ocala.granicus.com/player/clip/1670?view_id=6&redirect=true

After the board amended their decision 3 times after being bullied by the developers and their attorney… the voluntary planning and zoning commission members decided to stick to the original recommendation and DENY the rezoning of this property. But it’s NOT over… This will now go to the City Council on Tuesday, July 5 and July 19.

The city council commission will now suggest denial of the rezoning but I can tell you JMJ group will not stop or back down… as after the meeting they approached the City Planner and Growth Management Director, Tye Chighizola and asked him "what do we need to do to get this project to go through, we will do whatever you want." On record they also said "we will do whatever it takes and broadcasted how much money they have invested in the project" and arrogantly said during the meeting that this development will happen … but I believe, if we come together, we have a solid shot to stop this rezoning and ultimately the entire development that will be a nuisance to S.W. Ocala, West Marion Hospital, nearby residents, local schools, our infrastructure, and wild life.

Thank you for helping us fight off this rezoning and detrimental development.
Our schools, teachers/families affected by overcrowding, patients of West Marion Hospital, and Ocala Locals thank you!