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.”
Good for her. I wondered what they thought of all this and so glad they are doing something Roberts are absolutely ruining the area. WAY too crowded. And the buildings at WEC? what the heck w the stores. I spoke w one of the businesses in the Arena and they said they were going broke and business was horrible. I am so disgusted w them. I live 1/2 yr in Va in horse country but 35 miles from dc. well this area is getting more crowded than there and why i came here was because it wasn’t crowded . Now it is so noisy where i live that i am trying to find a farm farther away..
BRAVO Charlotte! We support you.
I stand with the opposition cited by Horse Farms Forever and the action taken by Ms. Weber.
My horse club, Meadow Wood Farms Equestrians and my community Meadow Wood Farms would like to know how we can support Ms. Weber’s complaint and petition.
Thank you.
.
I stand with Mrs Weber
THANK YOU for caring about and protecting the Farmland Preservation land in Marion County! I greatly appreciate and respect your continued fight.
Thank you for standing up for the preservation of horse farms in Ocala!
It’s about time someone with the finances and power is stepping up to save Ocala.
Marion County Commissioners have failed at their job. They have allowed way too much development at a rapid speed foregoing the safety and environment of our beautiful once county.. I suggest they step back take a long breath and drive around to see the damage they have created..Stop now before our infrastructure is entirely cracked.
As a life long resident of Marion county it’s so sad to see what’s happening to our county Traffic is just crazy . Robert’s quarter have lured in all the people who hate us want to change our town they’ve ruined their stay by their voting now they want to make Ocala like their state! All this WEC is crazy. Making sure horse racing is done . We’re who made Ocala Thank God for Charlotte Weber
I agree with Mrs Webber. A sports complex and entertainment complex would be very disturbing to the expensive racehorse residing on her property. Light pollution and late night traffic would also be a concern. As a horse owner myself, I would also be concerned about security of my property and horses.
Please advise if there’s anything that we as neighbors (MeadowWood Farms) can do to support Ms Weber.
AMEN & HALLELUJAH!! You are my hero, Ms Weber!! As just a common, long-time resident in this NW area of Ocala, w/no particular influence, I cannot tell
you how sick & DISGUSTED I have been watching the GREEDY EXPLOITATION of our land & resources by WEC these past years. The fact that our County Commissioners rubber stamp anything WEC asks for has been disheartening…& nauseating!
May this lawsuit wake up everyone to the true greed of WEC. God Bless YOU!!!