Greenway Area Study Recommended Master Plan Executive Summary November, 2007 Introduction

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1 Greenway Area Study Recommended Master Plan Executive Summary November, 2007 Introduction The Marion County has been tasked by the Board of County Commissioners to conduct a series of corridor, or area studies. These studies are intended to provide the framework for a Master Plan of each area. The study areas include SR326, Greenway, US41 and SR40. Three area studies were previously completed by a planning consultant and are indicated on the map as US441, SR200, and US27. The Marion County has completed the SR326 area study. The recommended master plan described later in this report is intended to generally represent the ultimate future build-out for the study area. The map is not intended to be parcel specific as to possible Future Land Use classifications. Determination of future land use amendment applications for specific parcels of land will continue to be made on a case by case basis, by considering various factors, including the proposed change s effects on public interest; compatibility with surrounding land uses; consistency with the Comprehensive Plan; and its consistency with the recommended master plan. Since the recommended master plan is intended to provide the framework for the ultimate build-out of the study area, timing and need will be critical components of the land use amendment process. Similar to phasing of a large development, planning, funding and construction of the infrastructure needs must be coordinated with land use changes to assure that the infrastructure needs will be met either prior to or in conjunction with development. Map 1. Corridor Study Areas Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 1 -

2 Existing Conditions Existing development and conditions within the Greenway Corridor Study area are listed in detail in the Existing Conditions Report. At this time, the area is generally rural in character, with scattered subdivisions of higher density. Map 2 shows the boundary selected for the Greenway Study Area. The area is essentially encompassed by the City of Ocala to the north, US301/441 to the east, the Marion county line to the south, and I-75 to the west. The area within the boundary consists of approximately 60,789 acres. Major roadways within the study area include I-75, US301/441, CR475, CR475A, CR467, CR42, CR484, SE 95 th Street, SE 52 nd Street, SE 80 th Street, and SE 58 th Avenue. See Map 2 for the location of streets within the study area. Marion County s Transportation Improvement Program currently indicates several projects to be completed within the Greenway Corridor Study Area. Timing and priority of projects are subject to change due to changes in priority by the Board of County Commissioners. The projects include: Road rehabilitation on SE 110 th Street between CR475 & CR467; CR484 between SE 122 nd Place & SE Abshier Blvd; Juniper Road between SE 58 th Avenue & SE 58 th Avenue; SE 3 rd Avenue between SE 31 st Street and SE 1 st Avenue Addition of lanes on SE 31 st Street between US441 and CR464 New SR200 Bypass between SR200 and SW 27 th Avenue Intersection improvements for the intersections of CR475 & SE/SW 52 nd Street; and CR475 & SE 145 th Street The Florida Department of Transportation plans the improvements shown in the table below. Table 1. Florida Department of Transportation Roadway Projects Roadway From To Project Fiscal Year CR 484 SE 47 th Ave. US Lane New Align. 2006/2007 CR 484 I-75 SE 47 th Ave. 4-Lane Bids Rcvd 09/07 US 301 Sumter Co. Line Existing 4-Lane Design 4-Lane in Prog.; ROW 2008/2009 US 301 Sumter Co. Line SE 147 th St. Resurface bidding 2007/2008 I-75 Sumter Co. Line S. of SR200 Resurface Bids Rcvd 03/07 SR464 CSX Main Line Tracks Bridge Dsgn/Bld Prpsals 07/07 SR35 S. of Juniper Road S. of SR464 Resurface Bid 2008/2009 Belleview Various Locations Sidewalks 2007/2008 Source: Florida Department of Transportation Website, October, 2006 Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 2 -

3 Existing population within the study area is estimated at 52,266 for 2006, with a projected population of 70,895 for As for public facilities, there are four fire stations, one sheriff s station, six schools, ten parks (not including undeveloped Greenway property), three active landfills, and six airstrips or heliports. In addition, there are numerous Scenic Roads within the study area. Much of the study area lacks centralized water and sewer facilities. A portion of the study area lies within the City of Ocala service area. Another portion lies within the City of Belleview s Utility Service Area; however existing lines within these areas are limited. The Ocala and Belleview Utility service Areas are shown on Map 6. Land uses within the study area are mixed, with the majority of land designated as Rural Land. There is a significant amount of land designated as Urban Reserve around the existing municipalities of Ocala and Belleview. The Cross Florida Greenway bisects the study area and contains approximately 8,603 acres. Units 24, 25 53, and 55 of the Silver Springs Shores development lie within the study area, as do 211 other subdivisions. At this time, there are 22,241 parcels and lots located within the study area, totaling approximately 60,789 acres. Of these parcels, approximately 61% are developed. The 2006 population estimate is twenty-one percent (21%) of the total unincorporated population for the county. There are two larger antiquated subdivisions within the study area. The first is Silver Springs Shores units west of SE 58 th Avenue (Baseline Road). The second is that of Belleview Heights Estates, located southwest of Belleview. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 3 -

4 Recommended Master Plan Process Three recommended master plan scenarios were developed from existing conditions and public meetings. The first is a buildout map if no further land use changes were made. The second is a composite of maps created during two community meetings. The last reflects staff recommendations. A survey was mailed to stakeholders and made available on the Marion County website. Community Meetings A series of three (3) community meetings were held at the City of Belleview City Hall. The first meeting occurred on December 7, 2006, with subsequent meetings held on March 15 and June 7, At the first meeting, participants were asked to list the issues of greatest concern to them, and then prioritize the issues. The following lists the results. Prioritized List of Issues of Concern 1a 1b 2a 2b 2c 2d 2e 2f 2g Water Preserving areas for karst recharge Future land use decisions Preserving rural character Less paving/speeding Preserving scenic roads Buffering conservation land Greenway access Family division 3 Schools (Location and capacity) 4a 4b Traffic Separate roadside trails walking, hiking, horses, bikes 5 Subdivision design (open space/pedestrian access) 6 Horse park Participants were asked to divide into small groups for discussions on where they would like to see any future development. The locations and types of development desired were marked on maps provided by staff. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 4 -

5 At the March 15 meeting, staff presented survey results and maps which showed development scenarios if no further changes occurred in the study area and a composite map of participant suggestions. This map is called the Community Consensus scenario. On June 7, staff presented the final survey results, and the set of three maps found within this document (Map 3, 4 and 5). Participants were asked to comment, with most comments being positive. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 5 -

6 Map 2. Greenway Study Area Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 6 -

7 Map 3. Scenario 1, Buildout with No Further Changes Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 7 -

8 Map 4. Scenario 2, Community Meeting Consensus Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 8 -

9 Map 5. Scenario 3, Recommended Master Plan Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM - 9 -

10 Map 6. Greenway Utility Service Areas Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

11 Recommended Master Plan As stated in the introduction, this report is intended to generally represent a master plan for the ultimate build-out of the study area, which is not anticipated to occur for 2 or 3 decades, or more. Considering a build-out time table that is anticipated to be several years into the future, need and timing of land use changes will be a critical component in the success of the recommended plan. What might ultimately be an appropriate land use in the build-out scenario might be detrimental to the successful process of the plan if prematurely approved. Applications for individual land use amendments will be considered on a case by case basis and approval or denial of such applications will be made based upon various factors, including the proposed change s effect on public interest; compatibility with surrounding land uses; timing and need; consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and, to the greatest degree, the request s consistency with the approved recommended master plan. Planning, funding and construction of the required infrastructure must be coordinated with future land use changes to assure that the infrastructure necessary to support the land use is either provided for prior to, or in conjunction with, the development. The planning, funding and construction of such infrastructure should be provided for in a method that does not create any adverse impact on the existing taxpayers and citizens of the County, either from a financial, environmental or quality of life standpoint. Recommendation Basis The recommended scenario for the Greenway study area is selected with input received at meetings with the general public and Marion County planning staff. This plan assumes: that new roads will be constructed: additional lanes will be constructed on some existing roadways:, that changes in land use will occur in the area; existing subdivisions will build out; much of the study area will remain designated as Rural Land; there is need in the area for more compact, dense workforce housing. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

12 The Recommended Master Plan would yield the following amounts of land uses within the area. Table 2. Recommended Master Plan Land Uses Planning Department Recommendation Use Category Acreage RESIDENTIAL 21,291 COMMERCIAL 2,461 UNCLASSIFIED 3,670 INDUSTRIAL 689 AGRICULTURE 22,532 INSTITUTIONAL 421 GOVERNMENT 9,070 BARROW, UTILITIES 432 These categories of land use would potentially build out to 58,272 housing units, or a population of approximately 135,191. Recommendation 1 Master Plan Map Recommendation to accept Map 5 as the Greenway Study Area Master Plan Map. While the recommended Master Plan Map maintains a large portion of the study area as Rural Lands, there are urban areas recommended for the region south of the City of Ocala and westerly of the City of Belleview (existing Urban Reserve areas). In addition, there are recommendations related to four (4) Rural Commercial Nodes ; an Urban Commercial Node ; and a Mixed Use Node. If the estimated build-out population of the Greenway Study Area is (58,272 dwelling units x 2.32 persons per household = 135,191), it can be estimated that 22% of that population will be under the age of 18 years, 62% will be between the ages of 18 and 66, and 16% of that population will be older than 67. These percentages are based on the 2000 United States Census for Marion County. From the above, 83,818 persons within the Greenway Study Area may be available for employment. If that number is divided among employment land use categories of Industrial, Retail Trade and Office, then the number of persons in each category would be 22,631, 24,307, and 36,880 respectively. See Table 3 for the square feet of building space needed for each category. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

13 Nelson (2004) estimates the square feet of building space consumed by workers in major employment-based land use categories. Below is a table partially taken from Nelson (2004), Table 4-2. The table shows the gross square feet needed per worker on a national average and the estimated square feet needed per land use. Study area employees are derived from statistics provided by Kathleen L. Woodring, Chief Operating Officer, CLM Workforce Connection, 3003 SW College Road, Suite 205, Ocala, Florida Table 3. Gross Building Space Occupied per Employee and Acreage Needed Employment Land Use Category Gross SF per Employee Study Area Employees per Land Use Sq Ft Bldg Space per Land Use (Total sf x Employees) Acreage Needed per Land Use ((sf / far) / 43560)) Industrial,.75 far Construction Manufacturing TCU* Wholesale Trade Total (27%) 1, ,631 42,378,358 1,297 Retail Trade,.70 far Neighborhood Community Regional Super Regional Total (29%) 2, ,307 67,703,259 2,220 Office,.3 far General Office Office Park Suburban Multilevel Total (44%) 1, ,880 38,244,929 2,927 *TCU = Transportation, Communications, Utilities Source: After Nelson, Planner s Estimating Guide. American Planning Association, Planners Press. There are 689 acres of Industrial land, 1,226 acres of Commercial land, and 0 acres of Professional Office land in the study area. The Recommended Plan proposes no additional Industrial or Professional Office land at this time, but does propose a total of 2,461 acres of Commercial and Mixed land use, more than sufficient for the buildout population. Existing Industrial land use acreage lacks 608 acres to serve the buildout population. These acreages could be included within mixed use areas if market forces warrant. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

14 Rural Commercial, Urban Commercial and Mixed Use Nodes- The Rural Commercial Nodes are intended to provide neighborhood and community commercial and professional office needs for the surrounding community. A residential component would also be recommended to allow for residential use primarily for owners, employees and security purposes. The limits of the node being 1320 feet from the intersections located at the following nodes: 1) SE Highway 484 and S Highway 475 2) SE Highway 42 and S Highway 475 The limits of the node being 1500 feet from the intersections located at the following nodes: 1) S US Highway 301 and SE 147th Street 2) S US Highway 301 and SE Highway 42 Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

15 Rural Commercial Node 1500 Radius from Intersection of S US Hwy 301 and SE Hwy 42 Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

16 Rural Commercial Node 1500 Radius from Intersection of S US Hwy 301 and SE 147 th St. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

17 Rural Commercial Node 1320 Radius from Intersection of SE Hwy 484 and S Hwy 475 Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

18 Rural Commercial Node 1320 Radius from Intersection of SE Hwy 42 and S Hwy 475 Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

19 The Urban Commercial Node is intended to provide community, special, regional and heavy business needs for the community and nearby region. In general, the location of this node is immediately east of Highway 484 at its intersection with the new southern leg of the Belleview Beltway. The radius of this node is Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

20 The Mixed Use Node is intended to provide for a commercial use at the center and then radiating out first into a residential/commercial mix and then into a strictly residential component. The proposed center point of the Mixed Use Node is located at the intersection of Highway 484 and SW 17 th Court. The commercial center core of the node would radiate out from this point for 1320 feet; from the edge of the center core out for an additional 1320 feet the intended uses would provide for a commercial/professional office/residential blending; from the 2640 radius out to the 3960 radius the allowable use would be a medium density residential by way of a PUD zoning, which provides for the clustering of development and which also provides for maximum buffering along external public road and all adjacent property boundaries outside of the Node. This provision for the Mixed Use Node would apply only to the portion within the Study Area and would not apply westerly of I-75. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

21 Shady Magnolia Rural Preservation Area A very large portion of the study area falls within a high water recharge area (12 or more inches per year see Map 6 of the Existing Conditions Report). In addition, the majority of parcels within this high water recharge area have a Rural Land use. Therefore, parcels with a land use classification of Rural Land within the Greenway Study Area boundary shall be identified as being within a sub-area of the Study Area intended to preserve and maintain the rural, recreational, agricultural and scenic qualities of the community. This sub-area shall be identified as the Shady Magnolia Rural Preservation Area (the Preservation Area ). Marion County shall consider, for adoption into its Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code, Policies and Procedures, appropriate language, policies and programs that will provide for and support the protection, preservation and maintenance of the rural, recreational and scenic qualities found within the Preservation Area. Appropriate action including, but not being limited to: Direction to all County staff to advise the Board of County Commissioners at the initial phase or review by the Board of any project, report, application, petition, proposal, etc., if the associated property involved is within the Preservation Area and whether or not there would be any potential for positive or negative impact related to the protection, preservation or maintenance of the Preservation Area. Seek out and apply for funding grants which would provide for and/or support the protection preservation and maintenance of the Preservation Area, including but not limited to funds for obtaining conservation easements along scenic roads to prevent the removal of trees adjacent to and outside of scenic road rights of way or placements of structures adverse to the existing scenic qualities. Provide for the expediting of processes for projects which serve to provide for and/or support the protection, preservation and maintenance for the Preservation Area. Establishing a process for waiver of associated County fees, where applicable and legally permissible, for projects which serve to provide for and/or support the protection, preservation and maintenance of the Preservation Area, including, but not limited to, a waiver of land use amendment and zoning application fees for parcels requesting a land use change to Rural Preservation. Amend the Farmland Preservation Area boundary to include the Shady Magnolia Rural Preservation Area. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

22 Urban Areas- The area south of the Ocala City Limits, shown as Medium to Low Density Residential Area, is generally intended to identify the existing Urban Reserve areas as being potential areas to be designated as Low or Medium Density Residential in the future. In general, it would be recommended that the edge of this identified area, which is adjacent to areas being maintained as Rural Lands, would not exceed a density of Low Density Residential (between 1 acre and 10 acres per dwelling unit) and would transition into Medium Density Residential as it moved inward towards the City limits. The areas located westerly of the City of Belleview, identified as Medium Density Residential Areas, are generally intended to identify the existing Urban Reserve areas as well as a large portion of the Belleview Heights Estates subdivision. While the areas have been identified as such and are anticipated to be ultimately developed primarily as Medium Density (max. 4 dwelling units per acre), locations on the edge may be more appropriately developed as Low Density Residential in order to maintain compatibility with adjacent parcels within the rural lands. The determination of the appropriateness of Medium Density and compatibility should be made on a case by case basis. It is also anticipated that some of the areas between these existing Urban Reserve areas and the existing City Limits of Belleview will be annexed by Belleview and it may become appropriate for a revision to those land uses subsequent to annexation. Parcels within these Urban Areas are located within high recharge areas and are also identified on the Marion County Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment map as being located in Most Vulnerable and More Vulnerable areas. Therefore, a geotechnical and/or hydrological analysis which scientifically show no adverse environmental impacts will result from proposed development based upon intended densities and intensities of development shall be required upon application for any land use and/or zoning change within these urban areas. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

23 Map 7. Greenway Study Area Marion County Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

24 Recommendation 2 General Recommendations Approve the following general recommendations: I. The shall consider the accepted Master Plan and the recommendations contained therein when reviewing and preparing staff recommendations/comments related to the following: a) Comp Plan Land Use and Text Amendment Applications b) Zoning and Special Use Permit Applications c) Subdivision and Site Plans d) Proposed Developer s or Development Agreements II. III. The shall consider the accepted Master Plan and the recommendations contained therein when preparing any reports or studies related to all or any portion of the study area The accepted Master Plan shall be provided to all appropriate County Departments. The Departments shall be directed to consider the Master Plan and the recommendations contained therein when: a) Preparing reports, studies, budgets, proposed capital improvements projects, etc., related to infrastructure needs and/or proposed infrastructure related improvements within the study area b) Drafting proposed infrastructure master plans and capital or transportation improvement plans c) Drafting new or proposing revisions to the Land Development Code d) The Departments shall indicate within the document to what extent the proposal is consistent with the accepted Master Plan and the recommendations contained therein. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

25 IV. Copies of the accepted Master Plan shall be provided to the Marion County Clerk, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Sheriff and Supervisor of Elections along with a request from the Board of County Commissioners that the accepted Master Plan be considered by those constitutional officers when planning for their near and long term needs necessary in order to serve the anticipated future population of the Study Area V. For informational and coordination purposes, a copy of the accepted Master Plan shall be provided to the City of Ocala and the City of Belleview. Recommendation 3 - Infrastructure Transportation Recommended Plan Marion County should pursue the projects listed in the County s and the TPO s Long Range Transportation Plan. Taking into consideration the recommended master plan, the County should also pursue, in the appropriate locations, the inclusion of alternative transportation modes with those projects, such as bike lanes, pedestrian paths, sidewalks, and traffic calming strategies. The recommended master plan should also be considered during the development review process to ensure that individual developments are consistent with the master plan and that they also include, where appropriate, bike lanes, pedestrian paths, sidewalks, traffic calming strategies and interconnection (vehicular, pedestrian and utilities) between neighborhoods, subdivisions and commercial nodes. In addition, traffic counts on various roadways within the study area indicate that levels of service designations could be changed in order to identify needed improvements in a timelier manner. Of the fifteen (15) major roadway segments within the study area, ten (10) are currently at less than 50% of capacity, and four (4) are at less than 30% capacity, at the current level of service standard. Many are scenic roads. Marion County should propose an increase in the level of service standard for these roads to at least a level of service C. Proposed roadway segments and levels of service are shown in Table 4. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

26 Table 4. Greenway Study Area Roadway Proposed Levels of Service. ROADWAY FROM TO CLASS 2006 AADT ADOPTED LOS/CAPACITY RECOMMENDED LOS/CAPACITY SW 66th St CR475A CR475 Urban 7,300 E/15600 C/9100 SE 80th St CR475A US441 Urban 6,500 E/15600 C/9100 SE 80th St US441 SE 41st Ct Urban 4,400 E/15600 C/9100 CR475A CR475B CR484 Rural 6,100 D/13700 C/7900 CR475A CR484 CR475 Rural 7,200 D/13700 C/7900 CR475A CR475 US301 Urban 4,000 E/15600 C/9100 CR475 SE 52nd St SE 80th St. Urban 7,500 E/15600 C/9100 CR475 SE 80th St CR484 Rural 7,500 D/13700 C/7900 Potable Water Recommended Plan At this time, Marion County has no plans to construct water/wastewater plants within the study area. See Map 6 for the current water service boundaries within the study area. Assuming an estimated buildout population of approximately 135,191 based on the recommended master plan; and assuming planned water conservation measures will begin to take effect in the near future, an estimation of the water demand for the study area would be approximately 18.7mgpd. Future urban development anticipated under the Master Plan could generally be divided into four areas: Area 1) the area immediately south of the City of Ocala; Area 2) the areas westerly of the City of Belleview; Area 3) the area at 484 immediately east of I-75; and Area 4) the various Mixed Use Nodes. As shown on Map 6, a portion of Area 1 lies within the existing urban service area of the City of Ocala and a significant portion of Area 2 lies within the existing City of Belleview s service area. Area 3 lies within the vicinity of the County s Marion Oaks/Summerglen facilities. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

27 Other than the areas anticipated for future urban development as described above, the remainder of the Study Area is proposed to basically remain as rural lands. It is anticipated that these rural lands would not be served by typical central water and sewer systems, although in some instances, decentralized sewer systems and/or public water systems may be practical and appropriate. Assuming there would be a limited need for typical central water and sewer systems within the Study Area s rural lands and considering the proximity of the proposed future urban developments to the City of Ocala s and the City of Belleview s service areas, it is recommended that discussions be initiated with these municipalities towards the possibility of potentially revising their urban service area boundaries. The intent of the discussions being to determine if those municipalities could provide for the water and sewer needs of the proposed urban areas in a manner that would best serve the overall goals of the master plan. All development, including development within the rural lands, should be completed in accordance with the conservation and protective measures as required under the Comprehensive Plan, the Land Development Code and more specifically, those associated with the Springs Protection Initiative. Sanitary Sewer Recommended Plan At this time, Marion County has no plans to construct water/wastewater plants within the study area. (See recommendation under Potable Water.) Assuming an estimated buildout population of approximately 135,191 based on the recommended master plan, an estimation of the sewer demand for the study area would be approximately 14,870,000gpd. Drainage Recommended Plan Over the past three years, the WRAMS Study and the various Springs Protections Initiatives have focused on water quality and quantity of which stormwater run-off is an important component. Marion County should continue to pursue implementation and administration of existing programs, including the Clean Water Program. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

28 Solid Waste Recommended Plan In 2006, the projected solid waste generated is estimated at tons per day and tons per day in the year 2020 in the Greenway Study area. The Marion County Solid Waste Department prepares a capacity status report for the Board of County Commissioners. Marion County should continue to assess capacity on an annual basis and adjust capacity as necessary. Fire and Emergency Services Recommended Plan On a county-wide basis, a total of 663 fire/emergency staff will be needed by Within the Greenway study area, the 2020 projected population would require 108 staff. Existing facilities would need to be expanded or new facilities constructed to meet this level of service. Marion County should continue to monitor population and the geographic distribution of that population. Within the study area, given the anticipated population at build-out, additional fire stations would be needed. It is also recommended that consideration be given to the acquisition of land in the vicinity of anticipated mixed use nodes. Acquisitions should be of sufficient size to accommodate multiple public service needs. Although some public facilities may not be compatible adjacent to one another it may be possible and desirable to cluster other public facilities, such as Fire Stations, Sheriff Sub- Stations, and Tax Collector/Property Appraiser satellite offices. Facilities such as Libraries, Parks and Schools would be other examples of potentially compatible public facilities. Prior to acquisition of land for specific individual uses, it should be determined if there is the potential need for other public service facilities within the vicinity and if joint use of the property would be a viable and desirable option. If so, sufficient property for all intended uses should be initially pursued. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

29 Law Enforcement Recommended Plan The level of service designated by the Sheriff s Office is 1.2 officers per 1,000 persons. Given the 2020 projected population of the study area, 85 officers, an increase of 61 officers, will be needed by that time. The Marion County Sheriff s Office should continue to monitor county population and its geographic distribution. Within the study area, given the anticipated population at build-out, additional Sheriff Sub-Station sites may be needed. It is also recommended that consideration be given to the acquisition of land in the vicinity of anticipated mixed use nodes. Acquisitions should be of sufficient size to accommodate multiple public service needs. Although some public facilities may not be compatible adjacent to one another it may be possible and desirable to cluster other public facilities, such as Fire Stations, Sheriff Sub- Stations, and Tax Collector/Property Appraiser satellite offices. Facilities such as Libraries, Parks and Schools would be other examples of potentially compatible public facilities. Prior to acquisition of land for specific individual uses, it should be determined if there is the potential need for other public service facilities within the vicinity and if joint use of the property would be a viable and desirable option. If so, sufficient property for all intended uses should be initially pursued. Parks and Recreation Recommended Plan The Marion County Comprehensive Plan lists the parks and recreation level of service as two (2) acres per 1,000 persons. The estimated 2006 population divided by the level of service yields (52.26 * 2), or acres of parkland needed. While a surplus of parkland exists within the study area, the 2020 population is estimated at 70,895, which translates into needed parkland of acres to meet the level of service within the study area. Marion County should continue to monitor population and its geographic distribution. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

30 It is also recommended that consideration be given to the acquisition of land in the vicinity of anticipated mixed use nodes. Acquisitions should be of sufficient size to accommodate multiple public service needs, including park land. Although some public facilities may not be compatible adjacent to one another, it may be possible and desirable to cluster other public facilities, such as Fire Stations, Sheriff Sub-Stations, and Tax Collector/Property Appraiser satellite offices. Facilities such as Libraries, Parks and Schools would be other examples of potentially compatible public facilities. Prior to acquisition of land for specific individual uses, it should be determined if there is the potential need for other public service facilities within the vicinity and if joint use of the property would be a viable and desirable option. If so, sufficient property for all intended uses should be initially pursued. Libraries Recommended Plan Marion County is constructing a new 16,000 square foot library within the study area, just south of CR484, southwest of Belleview. A national standard for determining if a county has sufficient libraries to serve the community exists. The International City Manager s Association (ICMA) level of service standard is 0.5 square feet of library space per capita. As of June, 2006, Marion County has 98,272 square feet of library space, and given the 2005 estimated population of 304,926, this area has been determined to be insufficient to meet the national level of service standard on a countywide basis. As of 2006, a deficiency of 54,191 square feet exists. For the year 2020, 205,850 square feet is estimated to be necessary. Within the Greenway Corridor Study area, 18,657.5 square feet of library space is needed to meet the national level of service standard for the year For 2020, 30,900 square feet would be needed. This number does not include the 16,000 square feet to be constructed. Marion County should continue to monitor population and the geographic distribution of that population. Within the study area, given the anticipated population at build-out, additional Library facilities should be included in future plans. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

31 It is also recommended that consideration be given to the acquisition of land in the vicinity of anticipated mixed use nodes. Acquisitions should be of sufficient size to accommodate multiple public service needs. Although some public facilities may not be compatible adjacent to one another it may be possible and desirable to cluster other public facilities, such as Fire Stations, Sheriff Sub- Stations, and Tax Collector/Property Appraiser satellite offices. Facilities such as Libraries, Parks and Schools would be other examples of potentially compatible public facilities. Prior to acquisition of land for specific individual uses, it should be determined if there is the potential need for other public service facilities within the vicinity and if joint use of the property would be a viable and desirable option. If so, sufficient property for all intended uses should be initially pursued. Schools Recommended Plan Three elementary schools exist within the Greenway Study Area. Shady Hill Elementary, on South Magnolia Avenue, is currently at 108% capacity as of March, South Ocala Elementary, on SE Lake Weir Avenue, is at 83% capacity. Belleview-Santos Elementary, on US441 is currently at 99% capacity. Belleview Elementary School is located on the outside edge of the study area, within the City of Belleview on CR484. Belleview Middle School and Belleview High School are located on SE 36 th Avenue, and are at 92% and 101% capacity, respectively. Forest High School is located on Maricamp Road, and is at 89% capacity. These figures are current as of March, Assuming an estimated buildout student population of approximately 17,575 students, this number can be used to roughly estimate future needed facilities. Obviously, student attendance zones do not coincide with the study area and are likely to change significantly over the years prior to buildout. Likewise, there are and will be some students within the study area that attend schools outside of the study area and vice versa. Considering all of the above, it is estimated that the student population at buildout would create the need for approximately seven (7) additional elementary schools; three (3) additional middle schools; and two (2) additional high schools. These schools could potentially all be located within the study area, however, given the higher density land uses located just outside of the study area, it is more likely some would be located near, but outside of the study area. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

32 Table 5. Estimated Student Distribution and Needed School Facilities at Buildout within the Greenway Study Area. School Avg Daily Existing Students in Area Avg Daily Future Students in Area Belleview-Santos Elementary 852 2,142 Shady Hill 607 1,526 Elementary South Ocala 543 1,366 Elementary Belleview Middle 1,204 3,026 School Belleview High 1,629 4,095 School Forest High School 2,155 5,418 Avg Daily Students 1,165 2,929 No. of Possible Addl Facilities Assumptions: 1. Existing facilities adequately house all students. 2. Percentage of total of future students remains the same. 3. Average growth rate remains the same. Elementary schools within the study area, as with the remainder of the County, are nearing capacity. Given the anticipated population in the study area, additional school sites will be needed in the near future. Marion County is currently drafting, along with the Marion County School Board and the municipalities within the County, an Interlocal Agreement for Public School Facilities Planning. Also, by May 2008, the County and all municipalities must include a common Public School Facilities Element within their respective comprehensive plans and all development shall be subject to meeting school concurrency requirements. It is also recommended that consideration be given to the acquisition of land in the vicinity of anticipated mixed use nodes. Acquisitions should be of sufficient size to accommodate multiple public service needs. Although some public facilities may not be compatible adjacent to one another it may be possible and desirable to cluster other public facilities, such as Fire Stations, Sheriff Sub- Stations, and Tax Collector/Property Appraiser satellite offices. Facilities such as Libraries, Parks and Schools would be other examples of potentially compatible public facilities. Prior to acquisition of land for specific individual uses, it should be determined if there is the potential need for other public service facilities within the vicinity and if joint use of the property would be a viable and desirable option. If so, sufficient property for all intended uses should be initially pursued Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

33 Cost Estimation It is not anticipated that acceptance of the Master Plan would create any significant increase in cost beyond those that would typically be anticipated with growth in the Study Area absent the Recommended Master Plan. It would appear more likely that acceptance of the Master Plan would result in the ability to anticipate, plan and phase infrastructure needs, including land acquisition associated with those needs. It would also allow staff to consider the Master Plan when reviewing development plans and propose and/or encourage alternatives to proposed plans which would further the objectives of the Master Plan (such as providing or increasing the size of a water treatment plant site or providing park, library or fire station sites, etc.). Anticipating the build-out needs in an area would allow for oversizing of facilities (utilities, road right of way, public buildings, etc.) or at least provide for the ability to add on without major interruption to services or encountering significant unanticipated cost to reengineer or retrofit. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM

34 References Advanced GeoSpatial, Inc. The Marion County Aquifer Vulnerability Assessment, A Ground-Water Protection and Management Tool. Version 1.1; June 14, Herlihy, David, Planning and Governmental Relations Manager, Marion County Public Schools, Personal Communication. Marion County GIS database, June Nelson, Arthur, Planner s Estimating Guide: Projecting Land-Use and Facility Needs, Planners Press, American Planning Association, Chicago, Illinois, p. 43. Smith, Villie, Marion County Property Appraiser, June 2007 database search. United States Census Bureau, 2000 Census. University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Florida Population Studies, Population Projections by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for Florida and Its Counties, Volume 40, Bulletin 148, June Woodring, Kathleen, Chief Operating Officer, CLM Workforce Connection, 3003 SW College Road, Suite 205, Ocala, Florida Personal Communication, labor force statistics. Created on 3/12/ :01:00 PM