A family that has lived in northwest Ocala for six decades says Marion County commissioners didn’t listen — and they’re not done fighting.

On Tuesday, commissioners approved a mixed-use development project that will bring up to 535 homes, a 500-room hotel, 450,000 square feet of retail, offices, and restaurants to the intersection of Northwest 49th Street and Northwest 44th Avenue.

Natalie and Evelyn Kelly live directly next to the site. They have three main concerns: traffic, security, and the environment.

“Here we are destroying in this year 250 years of growth,” Evelyn Kelly said.

What’s coming to the area

The approved project sits near a planned new Buc-ee’s, which will be located directly across the interstate. A new diamond interchange will also funnel traffic from I-75 into the area — something the Kellys say commissioners are underestimating.

“This is the exit that millions of people, and I do mean millions, of people will be exiting,” Natalie Kelly said. “And when they exit, they’re going to see one of two things because of this vote. They’re going to either see this beautiful land with these oak trees with the cattle and the horses on it, or they’re going to see 535 homes and a truck stop or whatever else they’re going to put there.”

Family pushing to save historic trees

Despite the approval, the Kellys are still in talks with the county. Their immediate goal: move a planned new road back 10 feet to save four historic oak trees on the property.

“We’re sad about this beautiful pristine land that’s going to be destroyed,” Natalie Kelly said.

The family says they want commissioners to address existing road infrastructure and place a moratorium on new developments before approving more projects like this one.