SUBJECT:
Title
25-L02 - Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC, et. al., requests a Comprehensive Plan Large-Scale Map Amendment to Change the Future Land Use Designation on ±250.86-Acres from Low Residential (LR) to World Equestrian Center (WEC), on Parcel Account Numbers including 21081-048-00, and portions of 21069-007-01, 21081-000001, 21081-001-00, 21087-001-00, 21087-001-02, 21065-000-00, and 21069-010-03, Multiple Address and/or No Addresses Assigned
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Kenneth Weyrauch, Deputy Director |
Growth Services |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
Applicant, W. James Gooding III, Esq., on behalf of the Owner, Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC, has filed a Comprehensive Plan Large-Scale Future Land Use Map Series (FLUMS) Amendment Application to change the future land use designation of a ±250.86-acres. The property includes Parcel Account Number 21081-048-00 and portions of several other parcels. The applicant seeks to change the property's future land use designation from Low Residential (LR) to World Equestrian Center (WEC). The intention of this Amendment is to expand the Urban Area portion of WEC designated lands to enable outdoor and indoor sports and event facilities in the existing WEC Complex development. The proposed sports-related uses will include indoor and outdoor arenas, outdoor fields for baseball, soccer, softball, football, or polo uses, a sports entertainment venue area, parking, seating, etc.
As a Large-Scale Amendment, three public hearings are required. The first hearing was held by the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) on June 30, 2025, that recommended approval of the Amendment. The second hearing was held by the Board of County Commissioners on July 21, 2025, that transmitted the Amendment for state and regional agency reviews. The FloridaCommerce Department assembled the agency reviews and has provided an objection to the Amendment for a lack of demonstrated public facilities. The developer has provided a supporting analysis in response to the objection, including information from Marion County Utilities that capacities and services are available for the proposed Amendment. Further, a Traffic Impact Analysis has been completed identifying that limited network deficiencies have been identified and a concurrent Development Agreement Amendment (25-DM01) to be considered with the Amendment establishes a timeframe for the completion of an additional Development Agreement Amendment to reflect final determinations for transportation improvements and proportionate share provisions that may also reflect ongoing area transportation network improvements currently commencing (widening NW 70th/80th Ave/Rd and new NW 49th Street connection between CR Hwy 225A and NW 44th Avenue).
This hearing represents the third and final public hearing wherein the Board of County Commissioners shall make findings related to the Amendment and determine to adopt as requested, adopt with revisions, or deny the Amendment. The Board may further propose continuing the request with the consent of the applicant, subject to a mutual Agreement with the applicant.
There are three other concurrent applications with this Amendment: 25-L01 - Comprehensive Plan Large-Scale Text Amendment, 250606ZP - PUD Amendment, and 25-DM01 - Development Agreement Amendment. This application is dependent on approval of Amendment 25-L01, in the event 25-L01 is not approved or is approved with changes, this and the other applications may not be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and may not be eligible for approval and may require denial of those applications as currently proposed, unless withdrawn by the applicant, or revisions to ensure compliance with the revised changes adopted.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Staff recommend the Board accept the recommendation and findings of staff and adopt the accompanying Ordinance to adopt the Amendment Application 25-L02.
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