OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Live Oak Stud’s Charlotte Weber has taken legal action to put a stop to the World Equestrian Center’s intention to build a sports complex and entertainment facility.
Weber filed a complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and a petition for Writ of Certiorari against Golden Ocala (the company owned by the owners of WEC) and Marion County over the approvals for the sports complex. In addition, Weber filed a petition for a formal administrative hearing against Marion County, with all of the filings taking place on Friday, April 17, 2026. According to the complaint that was filed by Mrs. Weber, the land development approvals that were approved by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners at a planning and zoning public hearing on March 18, 2026, authorizing the development of a 250-acre sports and entertainment facility, are legally invalid and were unlawfully approved by the MCBOCC for a number of reasons.
Judge Stacy Morris Youmans has been assigned to the cases.
There was considerable pushback to the amendments at the March 18 Planning and Zoning public hearing, with residents objecting to the proximity of the project to the Farmland Preservation Area, the impact to the area’s rural character, an increase in traffic and disturbances that would come from lighting and noise. There was also the argument that the sports complex and concerts have nothing to do with equestrian activities.
During the public hearing on March 18, Mrs. Weber’s attorney Scott McLaren, voiced his opposition to five agenda items, including a comprehensive plan large-scale text amendment request made by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC, a comprehensive plan large-scale map amendment and a zoning change to the Marion County land development code, amending two existing planned unit development projects and combining them into an indoor/outdoor sports complex and event venue facility, that were all approved by the MCBOCC.
“Ms. Weber and her family have operated a 4,300-acre horse farm for over 50 years, right across SR 40 from this proposal,” said Scott McLaren, an attorney with Hill Ward Henderson, who was representing Charlotte Weber and the Charlotte Weber revocable trust. “We’ve heard much about traffic on SR 40, the fact that there are certain proposals that are yet to be approved, Even the staff has talked about how there has to be more study and analysis of SR 40 and the traffic, prior to finalization and this facility opening for final approval. We think it’s premature for this commission to consider and approve. Ms. Weber strongly objects to the approval of any of these items, and requests denial. Quite frankly, this is a ready, fire, aim proposal.”