Overwhelming Wellington Crowd Turns Out to Oppose Massive Development

WELLINGTON, Fla., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- An overflow and enthusiastic crowd of Wellington residents turned out last night at the Wellington Village Council meeting to voice their opposition to the controversial 'Equestrian Village' development slated for inside the Wellington Equestrian Preserve.  An estimated 500 residents turned out for the meeting, many wearing "NO EQUESTRIAN VILLAGE" t-shirts with only 1 non-lawyer speaking in favor of the project.

When asked how things stood after the first meeting, Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance Executive Director Mat Forrest answered, "Lots of questions and concerns from the community were met by very few answers from the developer or the council."

Themes from last night's meeting:

• Allowing this commercial development is a massive and fundamental shift away from Wellington's fundamental equestrian founding – inviting rural lifestyle, open spaces, without commercial intrusion.
• Is the politically connected developer getting preferential treatment?
• In attempting to appease the developer, the council staff has put 'the cart before the horse' in considering minor parts of the development first in order to make the entire development a 'done deal' at the end.
• There was confusion by many on why the agenda items were arranged in such a way that created frustration among the citizens.
• A Village Council staffer clearly seemed to be on the side of the developer.
• There's no denying or refuting the significant traffic impact this development will cause on the streets of Wellington.  An 'Equestrian Village' spokesperson from the Chamber of Commerce went so far as to admit 'traffic will be a problem.' 
• Traffic concerns lead to safety concerns for drivers, pedestrians, horses, riders and handlers.
• No word on how to handle the hundreds of gallons of horse urine that will make it into Wellington's canals and ultimately the water table daily.
• No plan to control the intense smell of manure and gas that will have to be borne by the nearby community.
• The loss of greenspace – forever.

Forrest went on to say, "We are so proud of this community and their commitment to preservation and tradition. They are a determined and passionate bunch, but the fight has just begun, we cannot let up now so keep writing and calling the Wellington Village Council." 

The Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance has fought the 'Equestrian Village' commercial development on the grounds that it would commercialize the Equestrian Preserve, cause irreparable harm to the Preserve environment, lower surrounding property values and disrupt the lives of thousands of residents.  The Wellington Equestrian Alliance urges Village residents to contact Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and Village Council members in opposition to the 'Equestrian Village' development.  The Wellington Village Council is continuing their consideration of the proposed development at their Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 1 at 9:30am in the Wellington City Hall.

Media Contact:
Glen Calder, TransMedia Group, 561-750-9800 ext. 216, [email protected]

SOURCE Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance