[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6521263,"mediaKeyId","5108015-dc7e8e1d13379929dad836b651b4d940","parentId",5108015,"title","Planning and Zoning Commission backs land-use and zoning changes to allow sports complex at Golden Ocala World Equestrian Center","audioSeconds",5455,"startMs",9774000,"endMs",15229000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108015-dc7e8e1d13379929dad836b651b4d940&start=9774&end=15229","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108015-dc7e8e1d13379929dad836b651b4d940/thumbnail_9774000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521263/Marion-County/Florida/Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-backs-land-use-and-zoning-changes-to-allow-sports-complex-at-Golden-Ocala-World-Equestrian-Center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521263-b8f7d39c835eef47756eae6d0dfb3009/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448691&Signature=BRvcX7T6ZoQ8RHJAavBNq9olwzQt6rEa9AgAx8EsbVZaP1nfVpP8QTX2TL6UKUnuKnvCwBpbqmENJ7kfj1gRSRkK3dTByeRlrfNm39ciyWYrWXk3oP2dinEF3hkUMCND-bXK~VB9~8C5aOdnnlthdJ9nPaqwO27Xb~8NlMCPxt-CNfJXEO1nc4ONBDMfg-WjYotarjqf95lQHOhZnGkU8x~fjxqpqwSzxvh6ftFZiam0~zorf58vdsZMtieBtURtwtmtfpihIAw58s200toXL4SA51M2zizMICUuob3-FonI64b6ZjMMfKeCVo0v7Vv03Dvo1AzNhKp2EM7EBfv3RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marion County","date","2025-06-30T00:00:00Z","article","Ocala, Fla. — The Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday recommended approval of three related applications from the Golden Ocala World Equestrian Center (WEC) to add sports facilities, change about 250 acres of future land use fronting State Road 40, and amend the site's PUD to accommodate new fields, an indoor events building and additional hotel rooms.

The commission voted to transmit a text amendment that would expand the WEC future‑land‑use definition to explicitly allow sports facilities, followed by a separate vote to transmit a map amendment changing roughly 250 acres from low‑residential to the WEC designation, and then to recommend approval of the companion PUD amendment. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Mike Behar moved the text amendment recommendation, Andy Bonner seconded, and the motions carried on voice votes.

Why it matters: The proposals would let WEC add multiple synthetic and natural turf fields, multipurpose diamonds, a championship soccer field, an indoor multi‑sport event building and about 300 additional hotel rooms to the Golden Ocala campus. Proponents say the complex would attract tournaments and out‑of‑town visitors who would use on‑site hotels, restaurants and retail, producing measurable economic activity and supporting year‑round use of WEC facilities. Opponents warned the changes would intensify commercial development adjacent to existing horse farms and the county's farmland preservation area, raising concerns about noise, lights, traffic and water demand.

What staff and applicants told the commission: Chris Rising of Growth Services presented the applications and described them as coordinated requests: a text amendment (definitional change to the WEC land‑use), a future‑land‑use map amendment, and a PUD amendment. Rising said the map change area lies within the county's urban growth boundary and is roughly a half‑mile from the farmland preservation area; he also said a traffic methodology was approved and a full traffic study will be completed and reviewed before final adoption.

Applicant representative Jimmy Gooding said the sports complex proposal is intended to be complementary to the equestrian campus, providing indoor and outdoor venues for tournaments, clinics, camps and youth sports. He described high seasonal occupancy at WEC hotels and said additional on‑campus lodging is intended to reduce off‑site trips by keeping visiting teams and families on the WEC campus. David Tillman, the applicant's engineer, said hotel rooms would be added only where demand supports them and that the team intends to phase construction; the Phase‑1 fields could be in service first with indoor facilities and other phases following.

Eric Sullivan, a planning consultant for sports facilities, outlined comparable projects around the Southeast and explained typical program elements: multiple synthetic turf multipurpose fields, grass championship fields, diamond fields for baseball/softball, and a multi‑sport indoor building that can host courts, turf and other activities. Sullivan said such complexes respond to a measurable statewide demand for tournament venues and that integrated hotel and retail space increases internal capture of trips.

Public comment: More than two dozen residents and county stakeholders spoke during the public hearing. Opposition focused on: the location (several speakers said the proposed sports fields should not be sited where they abut large horse farms and the farmland preservation buffer), nighttime lighting and amplified sound, pesticide use on turf fields, water use and potential impacts to springs and the aquifer, and whether the PUD changes would allow non‑equestrian commercial intensification.

Horse Farms Forever and multiple nearby equestrians urged denial or further limitation, saying the WEC brand and surrounding farmland should remain primarily equestrian and agricultural. Several speakers also urged the county to enforce existing buffer and landscaping requirements and questioned whether traffic and public‑safety infrastructure will handle event peaks.

Applicant responses and staff safeguards: Applicants said buffers, cut‑off LED lighting and noise limitations would be incorporated; they have submitted a draft development agreement and told the commission they will provide a more detailed traffic study and a refined sign/lighting plan before final adoption. Staff told the commission the requested map amendment would proceed through a coordinated state review (60 days) and that FDOT and state agencies will be invited to comment on traffic and water impacts. Rising said county staff will coordinate the traffic study, review mitigation proposals and use the development agreement to lock in infrastructure commitments.

Commission discussion and vote: Commissioners asked staff and applicants about the traffic methodology, lighting cutoffs, buffer preservation and building heights. Applicant representatives said they will meet county fire‑service equipment standards (which enable building heights above the old 65‑foot limit) and will work with staff on perimeter height limits. After discussion the commission voted to recommend transmittal of the text amendment (change to the WEC definition), to recommend transmittal of the map amendment, and to recommend the PUD amendment, each by voice vote; the record shows the motions were moved by Commissioner Mike Behar and seconded by Commissioner Andy Bonner.

What happens next: The comprehensive plan amendments (text and map) will be heard by the Board of County Commissioners for transmittal to state and regional reviewing agencies; the county set a tentative transmittal hearing date for July 21. The coordinated state review will run for agency comment (about 60 days), and final local hearings on adoption and on the companion PUD amendment will follow after agencies return comments. The applicant and county staff said a final traffic study will be completed before the adoption hearing and that the development agreement will be revised to reflect mitigation and infrastructure commitments.

Ending note: The Planning and Zoning Commission's favorable recommendation advances the sports facility requests to the county commission and to state review. Opponents stressed that if the commission and county approve the changes, strict, enforceable limits on lighting, noise, water use and permitted commercial activities will be essential to protect adjacent equestrian and agricultural uses.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marion County - Planning & Zoning Commission on 2025-06-30 5:30 PM - Jun 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ocala, Fla. — The Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday recommended approval of three related applications from the Golden Ocala World Equestrian Center (WEC) to add sports facilities, change about 250 acres of future land use fronting State Road 40, and amend the site's PUD to accommodate new fields, an indoor events building and additional hotel rooms.","taxTitle","Marion County, Florida","taxId",4897,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521258,"Planning & Zoning at a glance: consent agenda, continuances, approvals and denials from June 30 meeting",11823,3452000,15275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5108015-dc7e8e1d13379929dad836b651b4d940&start=3452&end=15275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5108015-dc7e8e1d13379929dad836b651b4d940/thumbnail_3452000.jpg","/articles/6521258/Marion-County/Florida/Planning-Zoning-at-a-glance-consent-agenda-continuances-approvals-and-denials-from-June-30-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521258-49a4d0f791d2bb3aa425d6764c7c8ba2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448691&Signature=AqMBHCf4T45EpEWcFRQwBaZzw4bdl6ULqbmjNW6YjiG6AfvWgF08RX3KDsCCV~SGt1zNUmiRRIeYWXdpEZynBMGH6xKe3esOh8kctk0mChv5cCKEH7YJnjIUGnJEcQfKLNzo96~q0m5HXn~6OEbm6e2aQbY~urxDL6VkEiBS7LzbvxLGZ5FhM~gw2xhJ9oEmWEvuEkc~G-J9apnfF3rE8W2Fqp~WwphmrIpzjc-gxySuVnDqilY18X1VSC6FQpqRd0KrQkZzzGVHcxWfWUtp3xDJvOFkbE61tJ7Rpf~UEUShm7wY~2ldXIZpa1X2NaVt4gfX6Wx5hBpZcFy7VtJpeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ocala, Fla. — At its June 30 meeting the Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission handled a long consent agenda, several pulled items and multiple contested matters. Below are the key votes and outcomes the commission approved or otherwise acted on that evening. All motions recorded below are recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners unless otherwise noted.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (multiple small zoning and special‑use items including case numbers 250703ZC, 250704ZC, 250707ZP among others): Motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Commissioner Mike Behar, seconded by Commissioner Andy Bonner; commission approved by voice vote. Items on the consent agenda will move to the Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation of approval unless pulled by a member of the public for separate hearing.

- Continuance: Items 2.1 and 2.2 (large‑scale land use and zoning requests) were continued to the August 25 Planning & Zoning hearing. Motion to continue by Mike Behar; second Anne DeBondin; motion carried.

- Case 250702ZC (Barbara and Kevin Maravich): Rezoning from Single‑Family R‑1 to General Agriculture A‑1 for an 11.78‑acre parcel at 7600 S. Magnolia Ave. Applicant stated intent to keep primary access on Magnolia and to use the parcel for small‑scale agricultural uses and limited on‑site produce sales; applicant also said gate was installed for emergency access. Commissioner Andy Bonner moved to recommend approval consistent with staff findings; motion carried on a voice vote.

- Case 25S08 / CCO Hospitality LLC (small‑scale land use amendment for Country Club of Ocala site, 0.62 acres): Planner Eric Kramer (Growth Services) presented; applicant represented by Fred Roberts. Commissioner Andy Bonner moved to recommend approval; motion carried.

- Case 225S09 / Rezoning (Sunkiss RV Resort expansion; ~20.27 acres): The commission considered a small‑scale land‑use amendment to change rural land to commercial and a companion rezoning from A‑1 to PRV (RV park) with a proffered development agreement that included a 20‑foot modified Type D buffer (berm + 6‑foot wall and plantings) along edges and other conditions. Commissioner Jerry Loranco moved and Commissioner Annie Bonner seconded the land‑use recommendation; the land‑use vote was recorded 3‑1 in favor. The rezoning with the proffered development agreement was recommended by the commission as well.

- Cases 25S04 / 250207C (Thomas Moore property; requested change from rural land to Rural Activity Center and companion RAC zoning, ~18.72 acres): Staff recommended denial citing farmland preservation policy, lack of market necessity and potential to promote inefficient commercial sprawl. The commission voted to deny the future‑land‑use amendment and to deny the companion rezoning (motions made and seconded; votes carried for denial).

How these votes matter: Items recommended for approval will be heard next by the Board of County Commissioners; applicants seeking map/text changes will also go through the state transmittal and agency comment process where applicable. Items denied at P&Z may be resubmitted with additional supporting information, or an applicant may appeal to the county commission.

Other notes from the meeting

- The commission noted a withdrawn case (Railey's LLC special use permit for outside events) and several consent‑agenda pulls so staff could answer neighbors' questions.
- For several rezonings that included buffers and developer proffers, staff emphasized that buffers must be maintained and that code enforcement can be requested when required landscaping is not kept.
- Members of the public were reminded that the county commission makes the final decisions and that items recommended here will appear again on the commissioners' agenda.

Ending: The commission closed the meeting after approving minutes and adjourned. Several agenda items discussed here will next appear before the Board of County Commissioners for final action.","The Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission approved the consent agenda, continued two large‑scale items, recommended approval for several rezonings and land‑use changes, and denied 1 rural‑to‑RAC request; key motions and tallies are listed below.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning and Zoning Commission backs land-use and zoning changes to allow sports complex at Golden Ocala World Equestrian Center

Planning & Zoning at a glance: consent agenda, continuances, approvals and denials from June 30 meeting