Horse Farms Forever, Author at Horse Farms Forever

Horse Farms Forever Opposes the proposed West Ocala Beltway

by Horse Farms Forever | Mar 10, 2020 | Roadway Threats

March 2020

About two years after the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) abandoned the proposed Coastal Connector, as documented in a letter sent to the Marion County Commission, it has re-emerged as the West Ocala Beltway.

But this time, instead of a proposal by FDOT, John Rudnianyn, a large landowner in Marion County has proposed the road. Mr. Rudnianyn is presenting the maps of a proposed beltway to elected officials and their staff, community leaders and other stakeholders in hopes that they will support the new road.

The proposed road follows a similar route as the Coastal Connector, and almost one-half of the road is located in the Farmland Preservation Area (the Rudnianyn maps misrepresent the actual boundary of the Farmland Preservation Area). The proposed beltway is located west of the World Equestrian Center and On Top of the World, and it cuts through the Cross Florida Greenway and the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, which has one of the largest scrub jay habitats in Florida.

The Florida scrub-jay is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is also protected as a Threatened species by the Federal Endangered Species Act and as a Federally-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.

Seven new interchanges are proposed at: CR 484, SW 80th Street, SR 40/CR 328, Hwy 27, CR 225A (one of the Golden Corridors), I-75 and Hwy 441.

If the road gains traction with community leaders, it could go to the FDOT in Tallahassee for further consideration, but that is unlikely as the Marion County Commission and the Florida Legislature both approved language to protect the Farmland Preservation Area from new roads.

Marion County’s Comprehensive Plan (adopted June 2019) Policy 3.3.1 Elements of Rural Character states: “1. Transportation: New transportation corridors intended to be used specifically for the construction of expressways or limited access roadways shall avoid the Farmland Preservation Area…”

Florida Senate Bill 7068 passed in 2019 states that multi-use corridors will provide for: “Protection of primary springs protection zones and farmland preservation areas designated within local comprehensive plans adopted under chapter 163.”

While there is a need for improvements to the transportation system, this is not the right approach. Any expansion of the transportation system within the Farmland Preservation Area should use existing rights-of-way. The West Ocala Beltway will cause detrimental impacts to the Farmland Preservation Area and Florida’s unique wildlife habitat.

When the Coastal Connector was unveiled at the Ocala Hilton in May 2018, Marion County citizens sprang into action. Over this one galvanizing issue, the City of Ocala, the Marion County Commission and a large percentage of citizens and landowners joined forces to oppose the proposed routes of the Coastal Connector.

After several months of meetings and much dismay, FDOT mailed a letter to the County Commission stating that the proposed routes had been “abandoned.” Residents and elected official declared victory.

After all the effort, why has a private citizen proposed a similar road through parts of the iconic Farmland Preservation Area?

After the County and the Sate both declared the Marion County Farmland Preservation Area off-limits, why has a private citizen proposed a beltway road through the heart of it?

LINKS

John Rudnianyn
John@IPSRealtor.com
http://www.ipsrealtor.com

Marion County Comprehensive Plan

See related article about the M-Cores Northern Turnpike Connector Task Force (which may include southern Marion County.) HERE

There is a meeting in Ocala on March 25th to take public comments about the proposed road.

Northern Turnpike Corridor Task Force Meeting

Date:
March 25, 2020
Time:
10:00 am – 4:00 pm (public comment is at 4:00 PM)
Location:
Hilton Ocala
3600 SW 36th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34474 United States

Task Force Website

Busy Shires Byerly
Director of Conservation Strategies
Busy.Byerly@HorseFarmsForever.com
(352) 234-7175

For there to be horses and a horse industry, there must be farmland available for horse farms. The Marion County Commission recognized this truth and created the Farmland Preservation Area in northwest Marion County.

The developers are knocking loudly on the doors of government seeking exemptions to build inside the Farmland Preservation Area. The developers want to pave it; we want to save it!

There’s an old saying, “If you don’t have a seat at the table, then you are on the menu.” For far too long, the Farmland Protection Area has been on the developer menu.

It will take a unified effort to ensure that horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area are forever a part of Marion County’s future.

Meet Horse Farms Forever Supporter Mark Casse

by Horse Farms Forever | Feb 27, 2020 | News

Ocala is fortunate to have horse racing powerhouse Mark Casse as a resident. As one of the most renowned and decorated horse trainers in North America, Mark continues to chase his dreams.

Mark’s horse racing roots go quite deep. He, along with his two brothers have followed in the footsteps of their father Norman Casse, who was one of the founders of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company. The third generation has also taken up the reins as Mark’s son, Norman is also a successful trainer in the horse racing industry.

He has fond memories of the Kentucky Derby. In 1973, he and his dad traveled to Churchill Downs and watched Secretariat win the Derby. This was an influential moment in his life and at 10 years old, Mark was asked the proverbial question: What do you want to do when you grow up?

His answer: “Win the Kentucky Derby!”

Mark almost won the 2019 Kentucky Derby with War of Will. But not to be deterred, War of Will came right back with an impressive victory at the Preakness and his other horse, Sir Winston, won the Belmont. As one of the most decorated horse trainers in North America and Canada, he was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. His horses have won the Canadian Queen’s Plate two times, and most recently he found international fame in 2016 as Tepin, the horse he trained, became the first U.S. winner of the Royal Ascot’s Queen Anne Stakes race in England.

Mark Casse, center, with owner Charlotte Weber, left, and jockey John Velazquez, right, after champion World Approval won a stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs. Photo Credit: Eclipse Sportswire | Source

While Mark has found international success, he calls Ocala his home where he and his wife Tina own a 135-acre training center in the Ocala Horse Complex. He’s been in Ocala for over 50 years and is proud to pass that legacy on to his family.

Mark strongly supports the mission of Horse Farms Forever to protect the character and culture that horses, horse farms and the horse industry bring to Marion County. “It was important for me to be involved with Horse Farms Forever because it’s been my entire life. I’ve been in Ocala for over 50 years and that’s why my dad moved to Ocala,” said Mark

He also wants to see the horse industry continue in Marion County. “Can you think of a better industry than horses? I don’t want to see them go. You can build around them,” he said.

“This is Ocala and it’s my life!”

War of Will, trained by Mark Casse, won the Preakness in 2019 with jockey Tyler Gaffalione. The Preakness is the second race of the Triple Crown. Photo credit: Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club | Source

Mark is looking forward to the 2020 Kentucky Derby. He has two potential horses: Enforceable and Lynn’s Map. “These two right now are obviously our best chances for the Kentucky Derby.” 2020 may be the year Mark’s lifelong Derby victory dream comes true. For more information on Casse Racing, visit Facebook and Instagram.