…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 NEW SHOWGROUNDS PROJECT STANDARDS MANUAL; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
…body
PUBLIC HEARING: YES QUASI-JUDICIAL: YES
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 (Phases V - VII) of Wellington Country Place Planned Unit Development (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 PUD 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. 78,000 SF Covered Arena
b. 1,204 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. School 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.
SUMMARY: To recommend approval of Resolution No. R2024-08, a Compatibility Determination for a Major Equestrian Venue within Pod F (Phases V - VII) of Wellington CountryPlace PUD.