Busy Shires Byerly, Horse Farms Forever’s Director of Conservation Strategies, addresses the Zoning and Planning Board at the public meeting on May 11th.
At last evenings’ Marion County Zoning and Planning Commission meeting, Horse Farms Forever’s Busy Shires-Byerly presented our clear position opposing Golden Ocala/World Equestrian Center’s plans specific to Area 1 and Area 8 on their plan map. In these two areas, totaling 275 acres, they are asking the County to remove 118 acres of land from the Farmland Protection Area and to rezone 157 acres as “WEC Rural” which will allow up to 50% commercial development.
Our presentation on behalf of the Horse Farms Forever’s Board of Directors and membership was well-received and almost universally-supported by unsolicited comments from the public, both in person and by phone.
At the meeting, Ms. Byerly requested that the two land use amendments be removed from the DRI because they are “inconsistent with the county’s comprehensive plan to protect the Farmland Preservation Area,” she said. “The WEC land use category will allow up to 75 acres of intensive and undefined commercial development in a rural area. In addition, moving the boundary of the Farmland Preservation Area will also set a precedent for future land use decisions.”
See the entire meeting recording. We present from 1:13:23 to 1:18:58.
Particularly impactful to the Zoning Commission was our mention of recent letters of support from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) and the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) to protect the Farmland Preservation Area.
GO-WEC’s land use attorney, James Gooding, who represented them at the meeting, acknowledged our concerns and referenced them several times during his presentations. He also stated that the Roberts family, owners of GO-WEC, are founding members of Horse Farms Forever and “don’t want to pick a fight with us.” He publicly committed to come to the table to work out a solution but made no specific offer to withdraw GO-WEC’s stated plans for Areas 1 and 8. Mr. Gooding repeatedly emphasized GO-WEC’s disregard for the boundary of the Farmland Preservation Area. “We are talking about 118 acres out of a huge area,” said Mr. Gooding.
In the end, the appointed Planning and Zoning Commission chose to largely ignore Horse Farms Forever’s and the public’s concerns. They voted and approved one concession, which excluded the Area 1 lots from the plan. This is the area where 118 acres is slated to be removed from the FPA and added to the Urban Growth Boundary. This vote was 4 to 1 in favor. Their second vote approved all other zoning changes, including the WEC Rural designation allowing commercial development in Area 8, by unanimous vote.
Horse Farms Forever is disappointed as the Zoning Commission’s recommendation paves the way to the next meeting. The GO-WEC land use amendment now heads to the Marion County Board of Commissioners on May 28th. This Board does not have to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Unlike the Zoning Commission, the Board of County Commissioners are elected officials and have the ability to change the DRI request to protect the Farmland Preservation Area.
What’s Next?
Horse Farms Forever will use our seat at the table to engage in discussions with GO-WEC. We have retained Land Use Attorney G. Matthew Brockway to negotiate on our behalf. We will keep you informed of any breakthroughs.
In the meantime, it is time to turn up the volume and make sure that our unified voice echoes through the halls in the County. We have two weeks until the May 28 hearing. Please join us as we email and call the County Commissioners and representatives from GO-WEC.
Turn Up the Volume
We are urging GO-WEC to abandon their plans for Areas 1 and 8 of their application to the County.
Please ask them to join us in protecting the Farmland Preservation Area and valuing the environment that makes Ocala an irreplaceable destination.
We are not Wellington,
nor do we want to be!
Once erased,
it can never be replaced.
Email GO-WEC leadership:
Email the County Commissioners:
G. Matthew Brockway Joins Threat Response Team
We welcome Matt Brockway back to represent us at the May 28 hearing. You may remember him as a part of the team that helped defeat the Coastal Connector in 2018. Matt’s land use practice encompasses the entire land development process – from conception through final certification. His land use practice includes complex land use litigation and zoning approval concerns.
Too much development is ruining the quality of life here in NW ocala
But…millions of dollars can be made with more and more development…Big Developers will make this the new California….Just look what happened to Miami….unlimited development.
Small bites, one at a time. The answer to How to Eat an Elephant. Well, Marion County is no ones elephant and we, who moved here for the countryside and open farms, have already lost enough of our land. If Mr. Roberts wants extra land I suggest he use some of his own back yard. His mission rapidly went from appearing to help the horse industry to greed in helping himself at the cost of the horse industry. I stand with Horse Farms Forever.
Horse farms forever is all good for Marion county and local politicians should be aware of what the voters wishes are not there own personal wishes .they are elected to serve the wishes of their constituents.
I am all for WEC but they have already consumed a tremendous amount of land and how far are they going to go enough is enough
I wrote a comment 2 weeks ago but just in case it didn’t register, here goes another. Like many residents, I feel strongly about preserving the farms. I don’t see or know of any need to change the zoning or give up farmland for potential commercial use. To start with, who knows if WEC will be a success. It hasn’t opened yet. Also, in case it hasn’t been noticed, times have changed and what guarantee is there that life will return as before. I personally doubt it and to just assume that it will at this point in time is mindless. Definitely for now there should be no changes considered. We all need to see how we settle into the future and that includes Mr Roberts. Never know, he might come up with a better more suitable idea.