…title
ITEM: RESOLUTION NO. R2024-08 (POD F SHOWGROUNDS COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATION)
A RESOLUTION OF WELLINGTON, FLORIDA’S COUNCIL, APPROVING A COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR A MAJOR EQUESTRIAN VENUE (AKA COMMERCIAL EQUESTRIAN ARENA) FOR PETITION 2023-0001-CD, ALSO KNOWN AS THE WELLINGTON COUNTRYPLACE POD F SHOWGROUNDS, LOCATED ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF GENE MISCHE WAY AND GRACIDA STREET, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN, TO ALLOW A MAJOR EQUESTRIAN VENUE WITH CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL; TO ADOPT THE POD F SHOWGROUNDS PROJECT STANDARDS MANUAL; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
REQUEST: Approval of Resolution No. R2024-08, a Compatibility Determination for a Major Equestrian Venue within Pod F (Phases V - VII) of Wellington CountryPlace PUD.
…body
EXPLANATION: The agent, Don Hearing and Nicole Plunkett, Cotleur and Hearing, on behalf of the applicants, Far Niente Stables (IV, V, XXV, XXVI), LLC, TLJ Polo, LLC, and Wellington Showgrounds 1, LLC, is requesting a Compatibility Determination for a Major Equestrian Venue within Pod F (Phase V - VII) of Wellington Country Place PUD.
The proposed Showgrounds is located in Pod F (Phases V - VII) of The Wellington CountryPlace PUD. The most recent approvals of The Wellington South Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Ordinance No. 2023-04) modified the Future Land Use Map designation for Pod F from Residential B (0.1 du/ac - 1.0 du/ac) to Equestrian Commercial Recreation (ECR) and the Master Plan Amendment (Resolution No. R2023-02) identified Pod F (Phases V - VII) as an Equestrian Commercial Venue. For Pod F, the Resolution No. R2023-02 included a development program for the venue and forfeited 62 dwelling units that were assigned to the subject properties. The Master Plan development program for Pod F (Phases V - VII) establishes the maximum development thresholds for various facilities including 1,500 stalls, nine (9) competition rings with schooling areas, an international stadium with schooling area, derby field with schooling area, lunging rings with schooling area, stadium seating for up to 7,000 spectators and hospitality venue for 4,000 spectators (a total of 11,000), up to 26,000 square feet of retail space, 18,000 square feet of office space, and up to 45,000 square feet of showground storage, warehouse, and maintenance space.
The Wellington CountryPlace Master Plan Amendment, approved by Resolution No. R2023-02, included several conditions for the proposed showgrounds. Condition #5 requires a Compatibility Determination and Site Plan for the Commercial Equestrian Arena in Pod F prior to the issuance of Land Development Permits. Condition #4 requires a Project Standards Manual (PSM) specific to the showgrounds on Pod F to be adopted as part of the Compatibility Determination for a Major Equestrian Venue, otherwise called a Commercial Equestrian Arena. The Compatibility Determination request proposes the following for the showground:
a. 84,000 SF Covered Arena
b. 1,108 Stalls; maximum of 1,500 stalls may be provided with an administrative site plan amendment
c. 3,000 Seat International Arena
d. 1,500 Seat VIP Hospitality Area
e. 1,000 Seat Special Events Pavilion
f. 210 Seat Restaurant
g. Derby Field
h. Schooling Areas, Lunging Rings
i. 5,100 SF Retail
j. Other ancillary buildings/facilities including restrooms, administrative offices, shade structures (viewing and vendor), maintenance/storage, parking, and manure bins.
k. Pod F Showgrounds Project Standards Manual.
At the February 15, 2024, Equestrian Preserve Committee (EPC) meeting, the EPC recommended approval of Resolution No. R2024-08 (4-1; Gagnes dissenting) with the following modifications:
• Update the PSM with the following:
o Require hospitality tents to be at least commensurate in quality with the media center tent at Wellington International;
o Provide adequate fencing between barns and adjacent parking areas to contain horses;
o Require mats in all stalls;
o Provide adequate air flow and ventilation within all tents;
o Update the PSM and the site plan to have a minimum of 30 feet in between each ring;
• Update Condition 3 of Resolution No. R2024-08 to provide schooling hours with lighting to begin at 6:30 AM.
• Recommend to Council the following changes to Condition 7 of Resolution No. R2023-01:
o Add an additional 220 permanent stalls to Condition 7.d.
o Delete language in Condition 7.g. which states “which may be constructed on an adjacent property.”
Since the EPC meeting, the applicant has modified the application to reduce the number of stalls from 1,204 stalls to 1,108 stalls, increased the size of the covered arena from 78,000 SF to 84,000 SF, and made minor reconfigurations of the site.
The Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board (PZAB) meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2024. Staff will provide Council an update with the results/recommendation from PZAB.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: YES QUASI-JUDICIAL: YES
FIRST READING: YES SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Resolution No. R2024-08, a Compatibility Determination for a Major Equestrian Venue within Pod F (Phases V - VII) of Wellington CountryPlace PUD.