We are the residents of the community surrounding Jumbolair/JumBullAir in Ocala, FL. Our peaceful rural life is under threat by Mr. Bull and Mr. Tillman’s firm's plans to rezone our farmland for high-density housing, expand air traffic, and increase automotive traffic. This is not just about our homes; it's about preserving our way of life against the encroachment of urbanization.

Our concerns are not unfounded. Studies have shown that rezoning rural areas for urban development can lead to significant environmental damage including pollution, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions (source: Environmental Protection Agency). Moreover, such developments strain local infrastructure like roads, schools, emergency services and public utilities which are already stretched thin in our community.

We fear that these changes will irreversibly harm our environment and disrupt the tranquility we cherish so much in this area. We don't want to see the profits of a few individuals come at such a high cost to us all.

heavy plane traffic is brutally difficult for our horses and livestock  - they deserve better. 

We urge you to stand with us against this impending destruction of our beloved community by stopping Mr. Bull and Mr Tillman’s firm from proceeding with their plans for rezoning Jumbolair/JumBullAir area into high density housing.

Let's save our farmland! Let's save Ocala! Please sign this petition today.

 

FROM S.O.R.A. ( Save Our Rural Areas)

Jumbolair Community, between West Anthony Road and NE Jacksonville Road, is located within the Countywide Primary Spring’s Protection Overlay Zone (PSPOZ) and is facing a dramatic rezoning change - please read!

The applicants, David Tillman, P.E, as agent for the property owner, Robert A. Bull (representing multiple owners), seek to change the Future Land Use designation from Rural Land to Low Residential, ±289.08 acres; from Low Residential to Medium Residential, ±39.26 acres; and from Rural Land to Commercial, ±30.28 acres; totaling ±358.62 acres of the entire ±449.66-acre project.  A portion of the subject property is situated inside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and the other portion is located within the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA). 

After initial negotiations between interested parties, which would have taken the 39-acre parcel of land within the FPA off the land use change, and to co-ordinate increases within the UGB with the purchase of transfer of development rights (TDRs are credits bought from rural land owners who place their properties in conservation easements). Ultimately, the developer has dismissed the proposed solutions and is pursuing the original plan. 

This will increase density from the current density of 100 to 450 dwelling units. The 39-acre parcel in the FPA will increase from 39 units to 157 multi-story units and an increase of an additional 350 aircraft and a helicopter school!

SORA agrees with the county staff’s decision on 10/30/23 to deny the application.

Any zoning change must be supported by competent substantial evidence that the zoning change is

1.Consistent with the Comprehensive Plan

2.Compatible with surrounding properties.

3. Is in the public interest.

None of these criteria have been met. On top of that, the change could add an additional 350 aircraft to the neighborhood, up from the 50+/- now. Also, there is talk of a helicopter school! As anyone with livestock can attest, low-flying aircrafts are a cause of concern, and the noise has a serious impact on the right to peaceful enjoyment of one’s homestead.

Even though the majority of the property falls within the UGB, under the county’s own rules Policy 2.1.13: Protection of Rural Neighborhoods

Marion County shall recognize “rural neighborhoods” that occur within or outside of the UGB deserve special protection from the intrusion of urban uses, densities, and intensities where new development occurs within the immediate vicinity. For the purpose of this policy, a rural neighborhood is an existing recorded or unrecorded subdivision where the overall density does not exceed one unit per three acres and the subdivision has a predominant Future Land Use Designation of Rural Land or Low Residential