Today’s Zoning and Planning meeting at 5:30pm is the first of two public hearings where the community can voice their concerns about the Golden Ocala-World Equestrian development plans. Horse Farms Forever’s Director of Conservation Strategies, Busy Shires Byerly, will be speaking on behalf of our members. Here is a transcript of her remarks:

Good Evening Chair and Commissioners:

The focus of Horse Farms Forever is the conservation of Marion County’s horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area to ensure this sense of place is protected to protect the vibrant horse industry, which contributes over $2.6 billion to the county’s economy and employs more than 20,000 people. Ocala is the Horse Capital of the World and the Farmland Preservation Area is protecting the global brand and identity of Marion County.

I am representing the Board of Directors for Horse Farms Forever, which is comprised of some of the largest landowners in Marion County. I am here to speak about our concerns with two of the land use amendments for the Golden Ocala – World Equestrian Center’s DRI that are located inside the Farmland Preservation Area boundary.

Horse Farms Forever agrees that the World Equestrian Center will bring vitality to our horse industry and economy. And with this kind of growth — if managed well – it will enhance our quality of life.

However, there are TWO amendments that threaten the integrity of the Farmland Preservation Area.

ONE request will create a new land use category called WEC to allow undefined commercial development inside the Farmland Preservation Area boundary. 

The new WEC land use category is anything but rural. It’s like a Trojan Horse – it sounds and looks good, but if approved, it will invade the Farmland Preservation Area with intensive, undefined commercial use. This category would allow up to 50% Floor Area Ratio of – once again – undefined – commercial development. This means that for the 157-acre parcel, up to HALF – of the land could be allocated to commercial – that’s potentially 75 acres of commercial development in a rural area. This violates the comprehensive plan in several policies, including Policy 1.1.1:  Marion County Planning Principles, Policy 3.1.4 Rural Area Outside of the UGB and Objective 3.3.3 Farmland Preservation Area.

It’s importance to note that – already existing in the comprehensive plan and by right – the World Equestrian Center can have limited commercial use in the Farmland Preservation Area to accommodate the concession stands for the proposed polo fields or horse show grounds. This is accomplished through the PUD amendment process and is THE appropriate way to accommodate limited commercial activity and protect the integrity of the Farmland Preservation Area.

Horse Farms Forever strongly urges Golden-Ocala World Equestrian Center to withdraw this request and instead use the PUD amendment process.

The SECOND concern is moving the boundary of the Farmland Preservation Area on recently purchased property on Highway 225A that is neither adjacent to the Golden Ocala development nor the World Equestrian Center. This request to remove 118 acres from the Farmland Preservation Area is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, which states in Objective 3.3 that the Farmland Preservation Area is “intended to encourage preservation of agriculture….The County establishes this area as critical to the enhancement and preservation of its designation as the Horse Capital of the World.” 

The Farmland Preservation Area boundary must be respected and protected.

Horse Farms Forever’s mission is to preserve the character and culture that horses, horse farms and the Farmland Preservation Area bring to Marion County  — as it grows.

We support planned growth for our community. Ad hoc expansions are not planned growth. Urban growth becomes urban sprawl when the Comprehensive Plan is subject to change with every developer request. 

We urge Golden Ocala-World Equestrian Center to RECONSIDER their land use amendments to invade the Farmland Preservation Area.

The Farmland Preservation Area boundary should be etched in stone, not with a developer’s pencil and eraser.

 Once it’s erased, it can never be replaced.