On April 17th, Charlotte Weber filed a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and a Petition for Writ of Certiorari against Golden Ocala and Marion County over the approvals for the Sports Complex. Also on April 17th, Ms. Weber filed a Petition for a Formal Administrative Hearing against Marion County.
As noted in the complaints, the Marion County Commission voted to approve several land development applications submitted by Golden Ocala at a Board hearing on March 18, 2026, authorizing the development of a 250-acre sports and entertainment facility on property adjacent to Ms. Weber’s iconic 4,300-acre horse farm, Live Oak Stud.
One of the key points made is the 2016 agreement to limit the use of the property, proposed for the Sports Complex, to low-density residential.
The complaint states: The land development approvals are legally invalid and were unlawfully approved for numerous reasons:
a) Golden Ocala violated a 2016 agreement with Plaintiff (Charlotte Weber) in which Golden Ocala agreed to limit the use the same property to large-lot residential Equestrian Estates;
Please follow these links to read the petitions and complaint.
Horse Farms Forever remains opposed to the land development applications.
What is a Petition for Writ of Certiorari?
The Latin word certiorari means “to be more fully informed”. Writs of certiorari are used to seek appellate review of lower tribunal decisions that are not otherwise subject to appeal. In this matter, Mrs. Weber seeks certiorari review of the quasi-judicial actions of the local County Commission action that would not be subject to direct appeal under general law. Quasi-judicial actions of local agencies not subject to the Florida Administrative Procedure Act are reviewed in a first-tier certiorari review by Florida’s circuit courts. On first-tier certiorari review, the circuit courts’ review is limited to a three-pronged test to determine “whether procedural due process is accorded, whether the essential requirements of the law have been observed, and whether the administrative findings and judgment are supported by competent substantial evidence.” The circuit courts’ decisions are subject to further, discretionary review by the appropriate district court of appeal.
What is a Petition for a Formal Administrative Hearing
A petition for a Florida administrative hearing (DOAH) is a formal, written request initiated under the Florida Administrative Procedure Act to contest an agency’s action that affects your substantial interests. The petition must be filed within strict deadlines and must contain specific facts, legal grounds for challenge, and a request for relief. In this matter, Mrs. Weber asks an Administrative Law Judge to resolve disputes regarding development orders and local government comprehensive plans through formal, court-like proceedings. These hearings allow Mrs. Weber to challenge County Commission actions independent of the agency involved.
What is a Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
A Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief in Florida is a legal document filed in circuit or federal court to resolve legal uncertainty and prevent immediate harm. It requires demonstrating an actual, bona fide controversy regarding rights under laws, contracts, or statutes, seeking a court declaration of rights and a court-ordered stop to specific actions. In this matter, the complaint from Mrs. Weber states that, “The Board does not have discretion to do what it prefers, wants, or believes is justified on a quasi-judicial rezoning — it has a legal responsibility to deny the application if it does not comply with the applicable law”. It further states, “the land development approvals are legally invalid and were unlawfully approved.”