MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Developers are proposing a major 236-acre project not far from the World Equestrian Center in Marion County.
Officials with the “Golden Ocala Equestrian Land” put in applications for a massive sports complex and entertainment venue. But local nonprofit Horse Farms Forever is speaking out against the development and says it’s not right for that section of Marion County.
“There are so many things that would make this not compatible with the area,” Sara Fennessy, executive director with Horse Farms Forever said.
She said the development does not follow Marion County’s comprehensive plan and land development code.
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“That is the very fundamental basis of why we are against it, Fennessy said. It is not compatible with the surrounding areas, it’s not compatible with our comprehensive plan and it’s not compatible with our land development code.”
News 6 obtained a conceptual plan of the sports complex from the county. It shows several multipurpose fields, a soccer stadium and an indoor area for several uses including volleyball, graduation ceremonies and concerts.
“This development is missing a critical component to it. The word equestrian is no longer in these plans,” Fennessy said.
According to the Marion County staff report, Golden Ocala is trying to change the land-use designation for this project.
Fennessy said the development imposes an extreme threat for urban sprawl.
“We are known for our equestrian heritage,” Fennessy said. “And in order for us to maintain our global brand as horse capital of the world, it is extremely important, now more than ever, that we strike a balance with growth and development and that we protect what little we have left when it comes to our equestrian and agricultural lands.”
News 6 reached out to Marion County to ask them about the project. They tell us in part: “The application process for changes to our county is a process on purpose. With each step, the application and results of the application are analyzed with at least the next 20 years in mind.”
“We would like for the county to deny these applications and to ideally work with a developer to find a site better suited for this kind of development. We would like to see the county hold the line when it comes to the agreement that was originally reached with the developer,” Fennessy said.
The proposed development is expected to be discussed June 30 in Marion County.
News 6 reached out to both the World Equestrian Center and Golden Ocala Equestrian for a statement. Officials at the World Equestrian Center said they are not issuing statements at this time and we have not heard back from Golden Ocala.