OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The first public hearing for the Marion County Board of County Commissioners to consider revisions to the Marion County Land Development Code with an amendment to review and update definitions was heard at the commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Much of the discussion regarding the public hearing was related to the sign code within zoning. The applicant, On Top of the World, wants to add a definition to the Marion County Land Development Code, that a “big box” retailer–a commercial retail establishment that occupies a large single use building or connected series of buildings, typically with a floor area of 75,000 square feet or more–be grouped in the category that includes shopping centers.
“Our growth services staff has no issues with that, we’re in support of adding that definition,” said Kenneth Weyrauch, Marion County growth services deputy director.
How big is big?
The proposal is to add big box retailers adjacent to shopping centers when it comes to wall signage. Currently their wall signage, for a single-use building, it would be limited to 96 square feet of wall space. The proposal would allow for the big box retailer to be treated like shopping centers and allowed 1.75 square feet of signage per linear foot of building frontage, said Weyrauch. At the moment there’s no cap on that, though a cap has been discussed recently.
“I’m concerned at some level that when we talk about these big box stores and some other things, what’s going to be considered a big box store?” said Carl Zalak, III, Marion County Commission vice chair. “Later on, could a smoke shop be a big box store or something else in theory? Is it possible?”
Zalak also asked the question of how large a sign could be, and defining that, with most major chain stores in Marion County having a presence.
“We’ve never had an issue until today,” said Zalak. “It’s kind of weird. How big do we want to make these signs? I think there’s some good debate that needs to be had.”
The county’s ever-evolving retail space
An applicant making a proposal in relation to changing definitions and amending the county’s land development code isn’t exactly a regular occurrence.
Reggie L. Bouthillier, Stearns Weaver Miller, attorney, representing the applicant, provided the commission with clarity and background regarding the request.
“On Top of the Word Communities own a lot of commercial property that we’re trying to be artful and planning strategically, end users that will be really great on SR 200 for our residents,” said Bouthillier. “In the last year, we’ve been working with Home Depot and Target, and there are pending applications of various natures before the county to locate a Home Depot and Target.”
As the applicant was working with Home Depot and Target to move forward, they discovered that the county’s land development code in question dates back to 1992 and is very outdated, said Bouthillier.
The big box retailers are grouped in the single occupancy user category, which limits on-building signage to 96 square feet. In the application submitted in August, the applicant provided the county with examples of what that would be under the current code; the Home Depot sign, for example, would only be the “H” and for Target it would be just its bullseye logo.
The industry has changed dramatically during the past 30 years, said Bouthillier. It’s no longer just strip centers. Many of the big box retailers co-locate multiple uses within their stores, and over time have increased in size. The county’s code had nothing in it that would recognize a big box retailer, which is now a very common development concept. Marion County’s code is antiquated, says the applicant, and needs to be updated.
“If it’s not updated, the county’s going to be in a really poor position to attract businesses like Home Depot and Target who will not locate here, and let us be clear, because they’ve told us this, if they have 96 square feet of on-building signage limitations,” said Bouthillier. “So, we worked with the administration and staff to try to come up with a way to fix this. We came up with what we believe is a solid definition of big box retailer. I know Commissioner Zalak was questioning the square footage.”
Criteria questions
The current standard size used to define a big box retailer, which may change over time, is commonly recognized to be 75,000 square feet. The applicant believes that the minimum standard is important and will be a good guidepost baseline for a big box retailer.
The amendment would have big box retailers included with shopping centers. The on-building signage for shopping centers is dictated by the linear feet in front of the shopping center. There is a customary formula used by local governments everywhere to calculate the limitations for on-building signage, said Bouthillier. The applicant opposes a cap because there is a formula that creates the cap. It would be an easy fix in the code.
“We respectfully request the commission approve the proposed minor language changes to fix this, and we’re excited if you do this in connection with the other applications we have pending, we’ll hopefully have a Target and Home Depot in these locations soon,” said Bouthillier.
Walmart and Target would be considered shopping centers because they have multiple different stores inside, and they would fall under the definition of what would be considered a shopping center.
“We actually had very little conversation on this, when it was brought before us,” said David Tillman, Marion County land development regulation committee chair. “We found this to be extremely reasonable. It does align with a lot of codes that you’ll find across the state. There was very little discussion, just an approval to move forward in front of you. We thought it was a very reasonable request.”
Changing of the guard
Incidentally, Tuesday’s meeting marked Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant’s last meeting as chair. She will be succeeded by Vice Chair Carl Zalak, III, with Commissioner Matt McClain assuming the vice chair’s role.