Wellington committee unanimously denies Isla Carroll rezoning and PUD master plan after public objections

The Wellington Equestrian & Preserve Committee voted unanimously on Jan. 8 to deny two applications from McCourt Partners and Discovery Land Company seeking to rezone the 79.17‑acre Isla Carroll property and to adopt a planned unit development (PUD) master plan that would have clustered 40 dwelling lots and created a private club and equestrian center.

The committee acted on ordinance 2025‑01 (petition 2024‑0003) and resolution R2025‑01 (petition 2024‑0002 MP). After more than three hours of presentations, staff analysis, technical questioning and public comment, the committee members moved to deny both the rezoning and the PUD master plan. The committee recorded a unanimous vote to deny both items.

What was proposed: Attorney Seth Bain and representatives for McCourt Partners and Discovery Land Company presented a plan to rezone the property from Equestrian Residential in the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District (EOZD) to a planned unit development within the EOZD. The master plan would have clustered 40 dwelling units on roughly 47.75 acres of the site (30 single‑family lots, minimum one‑third acre; five equestrian residential lots, minimum 1.5 acres) and set aside a 31.42‑acre club amenity pod to include an equestrian complex and sports facilities.

The developer’s team said the PUD approach was intended to guarantee a large, consolidated equestrian complex on the property — something they said would not be assured if the land were developed as conventional two‑acre estate lots. Discovery Land Company described a "community barn" model: a year‑round, membership‑operated equestrian program that would include a 24‑stall stable, covered and open arenas, paddocks, a covered walker, grooming quarters, and an adjacent club…