Wellington, FL – January 4, 2012 – Between 75 and 100 people concerned about a proposed commercial project for Wellington’s equestrian preserve area gathered at the patio area of The Grille Tuesday evening to hear about potential impacts, ask questions and raise issues.

The gathering was spearheaded by the Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance, which is opposing the commercial intrusion in the Wellington’s equestrian preserve. Barbara Richardson, a board member of the Alliance laid out the plans for the proposed development known as Equestrian Village: 100 condo-hotel units, 75,000 square feet of commercial space, more than 700 parking spaces and more than 3,000 more road trips each day on South Shore at Pierson Road.

Richardson, along with Mat Forrest, executive director of the Alliance, urged everyone to attend Wednesday’s meeting of Wellington’s Planning, Zoning and Adjustment board to make their opinions known.

“Everyone has a right to their opinion,” she said. “I urge you all to come out, let the committee know how you feel about the project.”

Equestrian Village is planned by Mark Bellissimo and his partners for 56 acres that used to be home to the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club stadium at the northeast corner of South Shore Boulevard and Pierson Road. The project has provoked the ire of residents throughout Wellington, who fear the large, dense commercial development will change the character of Wellington, clog the community’s only southern access road, and close down already-struggling local businesses.

Wellington’s Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board will consider whether to recommend approval of the project during its 7 p.m. meeting Wednesday at the Wellington Municipal Complex, 12300 Forest Hill Boulevard. The meeting is open to the public.

Those who can’t attend in person can watch the meeting through streaming video on Wellington’s website: www.wellingtonfl.gov.

From the website, go to E-Services on the navigation bar at the top of the page, then click on Webcasting. Scroll down the page and select the High speed Internet option (not archives). The webcast begins at the start of the meeting. Check your computer in advance to make sure you have a media player installed.

For more information about the Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance please visit www.wellingtonalliance.com or stay up to date with their Facebook and Twitter.

Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 213275
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-3275
(561) 291-8417
www.wellingtonalliance.com
info@wellingtonalliance.com