Wellington
from the applicant,” Feiwus said, calling the move “highly irregular, improper and prejudicial to all the people in the community that made extraordinary efforts to be here tonight, flew in from all over the place and they had arranged their schedules for the next three days to be at a hearing.”
Some of those who attended Tuesday’s meeting wanted The Wellington plans to be required to begin the process over again and seek new recommendations from the village’s Equestrian Preserve Committee and its Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board.
Barnes said the village requires an application to be re-examined by advisory boards only if the changes include amendments to land-use requests or an increase in the number of units.
“In this case, it’s our opinion that that hasn’t changed. It’s actually been a lessening of the intensity and density that was originally applied for,” Barnes said, “which is a normal part of the process as it evolves through the permitting process and ultimately council approval, that as those things are reviewed, and comments are received, both from staff, the public and other interested parties.”
Feiwus said his clients want the Village Council to consider The Wellington communities on their merits, instead of allowing them to make changes at the last minute to win approval.
“They’re trying to get extraordinary land-use changes that are worth hundreds of millions of dollars in favor of themselves, at the expense of the community,” said Feiwus. “And they’re showing no regard for the community’s time.”
Said Maureen Brennan, a village resident and a polo player who attended Tuesday’s meeting: “I would like to think they followed the rules. However I do not think this rule is fair to the other side that made a tremendous effort to be prepared. Cancellations the night of the meeting should not be allowed.”
The Wellington marks Bellissimo’s third attempt to build in the Equestrian Preserve, following failed efforts in 2012 and 2016. He has said the area has grown outdated and that his plans will help it to stay competitive with other communities that cater to equestrians, using phrases such as making it “the equestrian capital of the world.”
The Wellington North would bring 48 townhomes, 48 single-family homes and a private club with tennis courts, a racket center, swimming pools and a short-range golf facility to land within the preserve where Equestrian Village, the site of Bellissimo’s Winter Equestrian Festival, and the Whitebirch polo club now stand.
Bellissimo’s plan calls for the village to remove these 96 acres from the 9,000-acre preserve. The village has not removed any land from the preserve since its creation in 2000, and some fear the move would set a precedent for other landowners. Wellington officials disagree.
Wellington South would rise along South Shore south of Wellington Community Park. Wellington Lifestyle Partners is seeking approval to build 109 half-acre luxury villas and five 5-acre farms over undeveloped land owned by Bellissimo in the preserve where only homes on lots of at least 2 acres are allowed.
Bellissimo’s team has said that if its housing plans are approved, it will work with other groups to expand Wellington International to include 114 acres at the northeast corner of 40th Street South and Gene Mische Way to replace Equestrian Village. That land would include competition areas and a stadium that could seat up to 10,000 people.
As part of The Wellington South application, the company is requesting to change the land use of the 114 acres to equestrian commercial from residential.
If its housing plans are rejected, Bellissimo’s team says it will close Equestrian Village, and equestrians will be left to consider other Florida options such as those near Ocala and Sarasota.
Council member Michael Drahos said he thought this was the most important vote in the village’s history and that he didn’t want to rush the decision. He also thanked the members of the public for attending the meeting.
“As much as we want to decide Wellington’s future once and for all,” Drahos said. “lets do it the right way, take some time, make sure we have the opportunity to go through all of this, so that when it comes time to vote we are all ready to do that.”