[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6559014,"mediaKeyId","3220924-0c01b7738de50c72a2b8d8f0ad75986e","parentId",3220924,"title","Equestrian Preserve Committee asks council to review LDR Section 6.8.0.8, urges action on bridle trails and enforcement","audioSeconds",971,"startMs",5925540,"endMs",6897520,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220924-0c01b7738de50c72a2b8d8f0ad75986e&start=5925&end=6897","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220924-0c01b7738de50c72a2b8d8f0ad75986e/thumbnail_5925540.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6559014/Wellington/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Equestrian-Preserve-Committee-asks-council-to-review-LDR-Section-6808-urges-action-on-bridle-trails-and-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559014-842b879d5011f69ac777546c6f6a7024/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443060&Signature=k5bsAVEBLN7d19NRahldkrQp26uQ7Smmxzx1s1bVFN~zAeXSqOxsan3x1QFGSIRuZGHObLKLJLr6~TaxP9sC3Ec2szEsAJjyLn8FjT3f5EVOXw4eGz~d7-I~c4afuctCY6X8gmGkeu4717KwNmxU1ZtR0M3-k6Ay4k7WA6H6uHd1iZbmEigQDSJropPvRGK1po-Ozoy5U48OuM6peI7rmhWcGoBosd~2ve8FYcHvSW6Tc9651ijZovuD42djz3LAleFXo9jfMmo7ZynTMhh-yx-chcpznrCKDX-LBfETuUw~TQsvJXAu6Oq1G-TvPYD2UtY~AQCx0xd9bcJQt6JFWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wellington","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Equestrian Preserve Committee presented a set of guiding principles to the village council and urged staff and council to work with the committee to resolve what members described as an unintended regulatory change in the village’s Land Development Regulations (LDRs).

An unnamed Equestrian Preserve Committee member told council that changes adopted during the LDR rewrite created an opening in Section 6.8.0.8 that could allow cluster development or Planned Unit Development (PUD) style uses across the entire Equestrian Overlay Zoning District (EOZD). The committee speaker said that alteration would conflict with the village’s Comprehensive Plan objective to preserve large‑lot equestrian farms and limited commercial uses. \"We need to take that section out,\" the committee member said, urging council to confine cluster development to prior subareas or to otherwise correct the code language.

Why it matters: Committee members said open‑space, farm‑scale equestrian land and safe, high‑quality bridle trails are central to Wellington’s identity as an equestrian destination. They argued that code language that broadens development flexibility in EOZD may allow non‑equestrian uses — for example banquet halls or racquet courts — in areas intended as open space around clustered homes.

Trails, enforcement and maintenance: Committee and council members also raised safety and maintenance issues for bridle trails adjacent to canals and rights‑of‑way. Concerns included motorized vehicles, bicycles and polo practice sets damaging footing and increasing safety risks to riders. Staff said enforcement would likely require law‑enforcement resources because code compliance personnel and Public Works cannot perform patrol‑style enforcement. Council members suggested the committee and staff prioritize a small set of trails for upgrade and to define permitted uses before pursuing enforcement changes.

Process questions and next steps: Committee members described limited notice and a lack of redlines provided to the committee during the prior LDR rewrite process; staff said the project standards manual remains project‑specific and does not represent a permanent, village‑wide annually changing standard. Council and staff accepted the committee’s request to work on Section 6.8.0.8: staff agreed to bring the issue back to Planning & Zoning (PZAB) and then to council if edits are proposed. The meeting record shows no formal ordinance change at this workshop; instead council members signaled consensus to authorize staff and the committee to pursue a targeted review of Section 6.8.0.8.

Ending: Council and committee members asked staff to schedule follow‑up work and to confine the initial review to the targeted code section so as not to trigger broader comprehensive‑plan rewrites without a plan. No formal vote was taken at the workshop.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wellington - Equestrian Preserve Committee/Village Council Joint Meeting on 2025-05-07 6:30 PM - May 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members presented seven guiding principles and urged council to work with staff to fix unintended changes in the local development regulations (LDRs), particularly Section 6.8.0.8, and to prioritize bridle‑trail safety, maintenance and enforcement.","taxTitle","Wellington, Palm Beach County, Florida","taxId",8863,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559019,"Wellington International CEO reports growth, says major capital upgrades planned for rings, footing, barns and spectator facilities",440,1120960,1561820,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220924-0c01b7738de50c72a2b8d8f0ad75986e&start=1120&end=1561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220924-0c01b7738de50c72a2b8d8f0ad75986e/thumbnail_1120960.jpg","/articles/6559019/Wellington/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Wellington-International-CEO-reports-growth-says-major-capital-upgrades-planned-for-rings-footing-barns-and-spectator-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559019-3473439ba6df8813961e4946d13af2b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443060&Signature=Ow2NSlJyx-w4dlBFynEDS1hD3jGZw34GyY9MsxJMDWK5hl7u4WnyFZ1BX1wbI9o2~4-TI0pexTpIDnikpg1RHL6JG-JtJBY4S1Vdvm66oSHbmjHcLaSJbOF3ixqK6johUfdYjgh4jW7s83YoYuMUMxkxdNjF6htr9Y8aOndn56JAQHlgNO-ZFDtsNwpNkE24TNk~dsYFgmM6812X7Schj8cXyNGYyz3JNC4beK~Os2d74lPNSIRvcQqKmEJRPto-8lziH4dzsrH2L2fh4T~2zzplqToq9cvz1oe-h9KaIddQ2tkB2~qRT0OdtIToDZufU-jRepkWCcXMZIzsMpmUXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Murray Kessler, chief executive officer of Wellington International, told the Equestrian Preserve Committee and council during a May 7 joint workshop that the Winter Equestrian Festival and associated series showed substantial growth and that organizers will invest in a multi‑year capital program to upgrade competition footing, barns and spectator infrastructure.

Kessler said the festival was sold out for every weekend during the 13‑week Winter Equestrian Festival season and cited several metrics: \"We gave away $15,000,000 in prize money, sold 139,000 VIP tickets (a 59% increase),\" he said, adding that horse counts rose during the season and that the spring series showed roughly 17% more horses than the prior year. He also told the council the festival produced roughly $400 million in estimated economic impact to Palm Beach County during the winter period.

Why it matters: Kessler told council members that the improvements are intended to support Wellington’s role as a premier equestrian destination, reduce operational problems during the season and expand capacity for top international competitors.

Planned capital and technical work: Kessler described a list of near‑term investments to be completed in the coming months and seasons: full replacement of footing in the international arena and associated schooling areas; replacement or refurbishment of problem rings (identified as rings 11 and 12, \"Pony Island\"); electrical and water upgrades across the property; new walk‑in kitchen freezers and other kitchen improvements; improved Wi‑Fi, lighting and sound systems; installation of a jumbotron and additional video scoreboards for spectators; and renovation of FEI barns and stalls. He said some covered arenas for dressage will be built on Pod F, with steel deliveries planned imminently, and that early structures will be semi‑permanent to allow layout adjustments before permanent construction.

Dressage and competitors: Kessler acknowledged dressage entries lagged compared with jumping early in the season because mailing of dressage packages occurred late after the change in ownership; he said organizers have reorganized marketing and hospitality and are hiring a director of dressage to run year‑round programming. He also said organizers will continue to raise prize money and to expand media production, including weekly broadcasts and expanded livestreaming.

Fees and economic questions: Committee members raised concerns about competitor fees and asked whether dressage would see more prize money or lower fees. Kessler said the festival distributed more prize money than it collected in fees for entries and that hospitality and sponsorships were the primary revenue drivers; he declined requests to lower entry fees, saying hospitality and sponsorship revenue subsidize prize money and operations. He told council that ongoing uncertainty at the state level over bed‑tax allocation could affect funding; Kessler estimated the current bed‑tax arrangement (if preserved) contributes roughly $125,000 to the festival and that a change could reduce support by about $50,000.

Timeline and Pod F: Kessler said Pod F development and ring/stabling buildouts are on an estimated timeline to be ready ‘‘as early as 2027’’ and no later than 2028, subject to permitting and construction variables. He stressed that Wellington International will provide expert input to the design and that many project elements have been shaped by advisory committees of riders, trainers and federation representatives.

Community and operational issues: Kessler described steps taken this season — new stadium LED lights, additional maintenance staff, expanded restroom and kitchen capacity, improved housekeeping and trash control — which he said improved visitor experience. He also described outreach via advisory committees that include trainers and federation officials to shape program and capital priorities.

Ending: Council and committee members thanked Kessler for the update. Staff and council accepted the presentation as an informational report; no formal vote was taken.
","Murray Kessler, CEO of Wellington International, told the Equestrian Preserve Committee and council that the Winter Equestrian Festival drew higher participation and that organizers plan large capital and technical upgrades, including footing replacement, new covered arenas and FEI barn renovations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559023,"Wellington staff outline stormwater operations, monitoring and water‑quality work",246,81,246235,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220924-0c01b7738de50c72a2b8d8f0ad75986e&start=0&end=246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220924-0c01b7738de50c72a2b8d8f0ad75986e/thumbnail_81.jpg","/articles/6559023/Wellington/Palm-Beach-County/Florida/Wellington-staff-outline-stormwater-operations-monitoring-and-waterquality-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6559023-fc3f1dd7d8e09fa3c03ffdab524a3180/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443060&Signature=nWzXYGfVTdXP419cxWSl6TuvrRDpGbISibl-byFlpb9rWOpFezfwU4DUZpXDC6MXsCzfFs9oIFt7KfbL7-GpRI-gc4PFjMnt6vjsVDA9MbtpWbdM3E82YNmy2Y~3UPkPPaX~fICyZj1SZU~fh~hExdTSgRYR1g~6W4uKvwYV3zhFgoCHReaibiFGgQAMzyEqYLGOx0ckl4NP05WRzNagA62nAYoTZB7wkWBV3z3NisEFuU9U~wbxNNYxuUY2rDrPzIs-4p1-Z7vJas7oNfo1Ek7AnwLR4UmiLL7-VZh~cs95FRcvXAuuGjjWq0e7EuYZ0bYwzUCIDbuAZUdemLpdbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wellington Public Works staff described how the village operates and maintains its stormwater system to manage flooding and improve water quality.

The village said pumps run whenever needed and rely on multiple fail‑safes: emergency floats start pumps automatically if water reaches preset elevations, pumps shut off when emergency conditions clear, and diesel backup generators power pumps during outages. \"If the power goes out, we also have backup diesel generators to power the pumps,\" a Public Works representative said.

The presentation said Wellington uses a SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system to monitor rainfall, water levels and pump status remotely. SCADA enables staff to start and stop pumps, operate trash rakes and check rain‑gauge records remotely.

Why it matters: Wellington officials said continuous monitoring and routine maintenance are essential because heavy storms can overload local infrastructure. Speakers cited past events that pushed the system to its limits, including Tropical Storm Faye (February 2008) and Hurricane Isaac (February 2012), and noted that the amount of rainfall — not merely the presence of a named storm — drives flood risk.

At the operational level, Public Works said the village maintains canals, vents and culvert crossings and has the right of way on land between private property lines and canals to perform that work. Staff described routine clearing of roots, sand and debris from pipes and said the village is re‑sloping canal vents to increase conveyance and storage capacity. The village coordinates with the South Florida Water Management District in advance of heavy rain; discharge gates are opened and pumps lowered to create storage capacity prior to storms.

Water‑quality measures: Speakers stressed that the village treats water before it enters the regional system as well as managing volume. Stormwater is routed through catch basins, berms, swales, lakes, ponds and retention areas; vegetation in swales and treatment areas slows flows and filters pollutants, including sediments, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Public Works noted a prior project called \"Section 24,\" described as a retention area south of the meeting site that holds water to allow nutrients and sediment to settle before discharge into the regional system.

Public outreach: The presentation encouraged property owners to review their local drainage and, ahead of storm season, contact Public Works for site visits. A short video shown near the end of the meeting reiterated maintenance responsibilities and urged residents to call staff with system concerns.

Ending: Officials said continued capital and maintenance work, together with SCADA monitoring and coordination with regional water managers, are the village’s primary tools to reduce flood risk and protect downstream water quality.","Public Works staff described pump operations, remote monitoring and ongoing maintenance designed to reduce flood risk and treat stormwater before it discharges to the regional system.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Equestrian Preserve Committee asks council to review LDR Section 6.8.0.8, urges action on bridle trails and enforcement

Wellington International CEO reports growth, says major capital upgrades planned for rings, footing, barns and spectator facilities

Wellington staff outline stormwater operations, monitoring and water‑quality work