A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving horse farms in Marion County is opposed to a new sports and entertainment complex proposed by the World Equestrian Center, saying the facility runs in direct conflict with agreements previously made by WEC’s owners to ensure its compatibility with the surrounding horse farms and Farmland Preservation Area.
Last month, Horse Farms Forever (HFF) issued a statement in opposition to an application filed by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC, that seeks permission to build a new sports and entertainment complex.
Golden Ocala’s request to rezone approximately 236 acres of land in northwest Ocala to create the new sports facility will come before the county officials again on Monday, June 30. According to HFF, the organization plans to attend the meeting to vocalize its opposition.
“These parcels were previously inside the Farmland Preservation Area until they were removed at the request of Golden Ocala to allow for the low residential World Equestrian Estates,” reads part of a 3-page statement issued by HFF. “The proposed sports and entertainment complex to be built on the residential lots as part of the World Equestrian Center Planned Unit Development has no equestrian-related activities and does not support the horse community in any way.”
The group accuses Golden Ocala of already taking “1,000 acres out of the Farmland Preservation Area for the World Equestrian Center and related projects,” and encroaching “to the west of NW 100th Ave., inside the Farmland Preservation Area, with commercial activities supposedly for equestrian-related polo fields.”
HFF says it believes the applications is Golden Ocala’s way of telling the county that the “highest and best use of these parcels” is no longer “residential” but rather a version of a “Disney-like commercial sports complex.”
“If this is approved, then what’s next for the remainder of the World Equestrian Estates residential acreage: a theme park and roller coasters?” reads HFF’s statement.
Golden Ocala is asking the county to amend an existing planned unit development for the nearly 4,300-acre site that encompasses Golden Ocala, a luxury community in northwest Ocala.
The matter came before the Marion County Development Review Committee in April. In May, the request was discussed by the Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission.
The new sports and entertainment complex would be situated on W State Road 40, just west of NW 87th Court Road. If would potentially feature an indoor arena for concerts and sporting events, a variety of fields and courts, a restaurant, a space for food trucks, a hotel, and other multi-purposes fields.
According to a conceptual plan, the indoor arena would be capable of housing ice hockey, volleyball, basketball, concerts, and graduation ceremonies, among other sporting and general events.
The large outdoor complex would feature multiple baseball fields, a soccer stadium, natural grass soccer and football fields, tennis and pickleball courts, a restaurant, and a location for food trucks.
An additional indoor sports venue would feature things like mini golf, pickleball, simulators, a restaurant, and concession stands.
In HFF’s statement, the organization questions why Golden Ocala should be allowed to effectuate a “complete reversal of intent to change low residential land use to intense commercial land use.”
The organization argues that Golden Ocala was given permission years ago to build WEC on 480 acres and allow for residential development on remaining, adjacent acreage, and that the proposed application seeks to “undo those promises and agreements.”
“The proposed introduction of commercial development on these residential parcels would constitute sprawl and create land use conflicts. It would introduce intense commercial uses incompatible with the rural character and agricultural viability of the surrounding farms and residential parcels,” reads HFF’s statement.
The organization says it does not have an issue with “what is proposed,” but rather, “where it is proposed.”
“It’s in the wrong place. These activities belong on land designated and zoned for commercial uses, not residential uses. The county should not allow its comprehensive plan policies and land development code guidelines to be changed and molded to meet the ever-changing whims and desires of a private developer,” reads the statement from HFF.
HFF concludes its statement by clarifying its relationship with Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, which is a founding member of the organization. In the past, HFF says it has contracted with the organization to host numerous events.
To read HFF’s complete statement on the matter, visit Horse Farms Forever online.
What are your thoughts on the topic? Do you support Golden Ocala’s request? Share your comments below or, if you have more to say on the topic, submit a letter to the editor.