The Marion County Land Development Regulation Commission has a vacancy. This is an exciting opportunity to serve your community and learn first-hand the interworking’s of the Land Development Code and how it relates to the Comprehensive Plan, which serves as the blueprint for the future development of Marion County.

1. To review and consider all proposed land development regulations and amendments thereto.

2. To hold public hearings regarding proposed land development regulations and amendments thereto.

3. To make recommendations to the county commission regarding consistency of proposed land development regulations or amendments with the county’s approve and adopted comprehensive plan.

4. To review and make recommendations to the county commission regarding the adoption and amendments to the Land Development code.

5. To monitor and oversee the effectiveness and status of the Land Development Code and recommend to the county commission such changes in the code as may be required.

6. To make its special knowledge and expertise available, upon reasonable written request and authorization of the count commission to any official, department, board, commission or agency of the count, state or federal govementments.

7. To adopt rules of procedure consistent with law and the Land Development code as are necessary for administration and governance of its proceedings.

8. To perform such other functions, duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to it by the Board or by general or special law/

The members of the LDRC are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. To be eligible, you must be a qualified voter and resident of Marion County.

The LDRC members should be representative of the technical fields related to land development regulations including the ability to evaluate and recommend specific regulatory standards and criteria. Preferably, they should be familiar with the areas of planning, environmental science, agriculture and the development industry. The current LDRC members include a land surveyor, a pastor, several engineers, a land developer and a realtor. This is a volunteer position.

Horse Farms Forever is immensely grateful for the unwavering support and commitment of our  2023 Conservation Summit sponsors. Their partnership enables us to bring together experts and advocates to address the work being done to protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Farmland Preservation Area.

 Leading up to the Summit, we will be featuring all of our Summit sponsors, and today, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to these Gold Level Sponsors for their invaluable contributions to the success of the 2023 Conservation Summit!

*Sponsors as of October 22nd, 2023.

There are still 2023 Conservation Summit Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Conservation Summit Sponsor Highlight

The community, like a herd of horses, has come together to show their support, and the herd keeps growing! This year over 40 Sponsors have stepped up to support the Conservation Summit. Their generous support makes this event possible and helps build a broad base of support to help protect Marion County’s high quality of life.

We are honored to have Brook Ledge Horse Transportation as the Title Sponsor for the fourth year in a row

HFF is grateful for Kearns’ support and for the support from a broad spectrum of the community, including large and small horse farm owners, realtors, developers, and business owners. This collective strength of our members creates a “seat at the table” for HFF to help influence land use decisions and to inspire the conservation of horse farms.

Over the next 20 years, the land use decisions will determine Marion County’s future. To protect the community’s high quality of life, both preservation and growth have to coexist strategically or neither succeeds.

Maintaining this balance between growth and preservation will take a cooperative effort from both sides of the table. Finding this balance, and giving back to the community, is also important for Kearns.

“I have always loved Ocala and have several business interests in Marion County which permits me the opportunity to appreciate the challenges we face, and it also offers the opportunity to contribute to the City and County in a positive manner,” stated Kearns.

“As a career commercial real estate developer, I know all too well the issues facing us with the growth in our area, and I join with Horse Farms Forever to vigilantly monitor encroachment into our wonderful farmland,” stated Kearns. “I’m hopeful that with the leadership of our City and

County officials, the business community and citizens, we will be successful in preserving the wonderful area we all call home.”

Horse Farms Forever is honored to have Bill Kearns as a Founder Member to help bring our collective vision – to protect horse farms, Marion County’s most valuable natural asset, and our global brand as the Horse Capital of the World™ – to fruition.