Divided Marion Commission to work with state on possible Florida Turnpike extension

Many of the people who attended Tuesday's County Commission meeting left disappointed when the board declined to support the "no build" option for the proposed northern extension of the Florida Turnpike.

Instead, on a contentious 3-2 vote, the commission agreed to send a letter to the Florida Department of Transportation, urging it to give Marion County government a seat at the table as the state studies the proposed highway.  

Nearly 200 people packed into the commission auditorium in Ocala. Many addressed the five commissioners, and the vast majority of them wanted the board to join the City of Dunnellon in fully objecting to the road project, which would extend the turnpike's northern terminus from Wildwood/Interstate 75 west to U.S. 19. Three of the four proposed routes go through Marion County.

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Commissioners noted that this is a state project, authorized by law, and the study will happen with or without county government's involvement. The final decisions will come from the state, not the county.

The commission majority said it's better to be involved so the county can monitor the process and persuade state officials to make the best decisions possible to protect Marion's residents and environmentally sensitive areas.

"The only thing we have is our voice," commission Vice Chairman Craig Curry said at one point in the discussion, which – including public comment – lasted more than two hours.

Commissioners Bryant and Stone offered proposed language for the DOT letter

Commissioners Kathy Bryant and Michelle Stone each made suggestions on what language should be used in the DOT letter.

The proposed letter said, in part: "Marion County's foremost objective is to remind the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that our adopted comprehensive plan prohibits the development of expressways or toll roll roads within the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA)."

It went on to say that the county "encourages FDOT to consider the following items while developing the final alignment as authorized by House Bill (HB) 763," and then listed four recommendations. For example, it said the state show how the turnpike extension would enhance the traffic flow on Interstate 75 and other major roadways such as County Road 484, State Road 200 and State Road 40.

Stone's proposal reminds FDOT that "our adopted comprehensive plan protects the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) regarding the development of expressways or toll roads." Her letter keeps the county's four considerations for FDOT. At the end of the letter, Stone wanted to add that county officials request to "partner with you as this project progresses through the different phases of development."

That proposed language failed 3-2, with Bryant, Curry and Chairman Carl Zalak voting no. Commissioner Jeff Gold joined Stone in voting yes.

Bryant then sought approval of her proposed language.

She adopted most of Stone's suggestions, but changed the wording on one of the county's four considerations. Instead of saying the state should "further examine and evaluate the MCORES recommendations," Bryant wanted to ask the state to adhere to the MCORES recommendations – one of which is that the highway not cross the Cross Florida Greenway in Marion County.

MCORES is short for Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance, a 2019 state plan that called for building new toll roads in Florida. After extensive study –including input from citizens and elected officials, such as Bryant – MCORES eventually was repealed. But the potential northern extension of the turnpike was allowed to proceed to the study phase. 

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Bryant said asking the state to adhere to the MCORES recommendations was consistent with the language of the state law that authorized the turnpike expansion study.

But Stone said Bryant's language was tantamount to supporting the "no build" option. She voted no, as did Curry and Gold, and the motion died 3-2.

Procedurally, Stone and Gold were prohibited from asking for a reconsideration of Stone's original motion. Commissioners on the losing side of a vote cannot take such action.

But Curry, who was on the prevailing side of that vote, did agree to revisit Stone's language. This time it passed, 3-2, with Zalak and Bryant voting no.

Members of the audience jeered, booed and hissed at the prevailing motion. Zalak told the ones left at the meeting, fewer than 100, by that point, to calm down and behave themselves. 

Many people addressed the commission

Before the testy exchange that led to the final vote, audience members – elected officials, two lawyers, non-Marion residents and many people who would directly be affected by the proposed road paths – spoke about the state's process.

Alisha Hart told commissioners that she had 250 signatures from residents living in the Florida Highlands indicating their desire not to have the road go through Marion County.

Jim Tatum from Fort White said the community doesn't need the toll road and there's no benefit of having it.

Brigitte Smith of Ocala said her daughter lives in Rolling Hills and the roadway would negatively affect that neighborhood.

Dunnellon Mayor Bill White said the amount of traffic coming and going through the city would be enormous. He said leaders won't be able to control the growth.

On Monday, a united Dunnellon City Council unanimously approved a resolution calling on the state to adopt the "no build" option.

Local attorney Jimmy Gooding said county commissioners should be involved in the process so they won't be left behind. 

Amy Agricola, a local Realtor, told commissioners that Marion County is unique and beautiful, and commissioners should reject the road plan.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb