Another set of changes to the Isla Carroll development project was not enough to convince the Wellington Village Council to approve it on Tuesday, Feb. 24. In another blow to developers’ plans, the council shot down a rezoning and master plan approval request to convert one of the two historic polo fields on the property into a luxury equestrian development.
For months, representatives from McCourt Partners and Discovery Land Company have gone before multiple Wellington boards to get feedback and recommendations on approval for the project, located off 120th Avenue South near the National Polo Center. Each time, most board members voted against it, leading to developers reworking the plan.
In January, the Wellington Village Council narrowly approved the rezoning request on its first reading. However, council members who voted yes did so to see what changes, if any, could solve what they saw as fundamental problems of having a luxury, country club development with limited equestrian amenities be built in the village’s Equestrian Preserve Area.
At the council’s Feb. 24 meeting, developers returned for the second reading with a reworked development proposal.
“We listened very, very carefully at the first hearing,” said Frank McCourt, founder of McCourt Partners. “As I think you’ll see, we’ve incorporated your feedback into our plan… We’ve gone above and beyond at considerable cost and expense.”
The new master plan decreased the number of residential units from 40 to 27, with four of them being larger lots to accommodate smaller equestrian farms. Developers increased the size of the country club, which has remained a staple of the project, while reducing the size of the overall residential area. They also added a 10-stall equestrian barn, grooms’ quarters and an exercise arena that would act as an equestrian common area that residents could use. According to the development team, these changes have resulted in a $30 million project loss.
One of the many reasons that Wellington boards have criticized previous iterations of the plan is because of the limited details on how developers will preserve the east polo field. Since then, developers have entered into a partnership with the United States Polo Association (USPA). If the council approved the development, the two parties would enter into a 45-year agreement, with unlimited 10-year renewals available. Their agreement would guarantee that the USPA will use and maintain the Isla Carroll East field for polo matches during the season.
Bob McMurtry, interim chief operating officer of the USPA, explained to the council that polo fields are increasingly being lost, and the proposed project will save one of them.
“If we do nothing, fields will continue to be subdivided and lost,” McMurtry said. “If this agreement is approved, the historic competition field of Isla Carroll East will be preserved in perpetuity under deed restrictions, contractual rights and professional oversight. We urge you to approve this development.”
Added to the developers’ commitment to preserve one of the polo fields is a $2.4 million contribution for public works and education. About $2.1 million would help fund two roundabouts near the development. The remaining $300,000 will go toward the Keely Spinelli grant program over six years to benefit Wellington public schools.
Even with all these changes, residents speaking at the meeting still strongly opposed putting this type of development in the equestrian preserve. Several had problems with the main attraction being the country club, and equestrian amenities seemingly being an afterthought.
“Isla Caroll, which will be operated by Discovery Land Company, is fundamentally a private country club,” said Sarah Goos, who also serves on the village’s Equestrian Preserve Committee. “Discovery’s business model is to develop exclusive clubs, collect large initiation fees and annual dues, and sell high-end homes to create a built-in membership base.”
However, the project was not without its supporters. Several spoke at the meeting, claiming that the development will be a good addition to Wellington.
“Polo, jumping, dressage — all of these things are very expensive, and we should be very happy that someone like McCourt and Discovery, who know exactly what they’re doing, are willing to give Wellington a home for the things that they know how to do very well,” polo star Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras said.
At the end of the presentation, the applicant’s team rebutted their position that village staff recommended approval of the plan. They explained that the project is compliant with Wellington’s codes and, therefore, it should be approved. To close, a lawyer representing the applicant indicated to the council that not approving the project could lead to a long legal battle.
“Denying this application will not stop the development of the project; it will only guarantee years of litigation at an immense expense to the Wellington taxpayers over a project that complies with your own rules,” said Maria Fehretdinov, litigation counsel for the applicant. “Isla Caroll remains ready to work collaboratively with the village but is also prepared to defend its rights.”
After hearing the legal threat, Village Attorney Laurie Cohen chimed in, telling the council that the applicant has to show that the rezoning is consistent with the comprehensive plan and all procedural requirements. If they meet that burden, the village has to demonstrate that existing zoning serves a legitimate purpose and is not arbitrary, discriminatory or unreasonable.
“I’m not suggesting how you should proceed, but I want you to know that there is no absolute right to a rezoning,” Cohen said.
Several on the council continued to have problems with the project. In particular, they did not believe that the development had an equestrian focus, and instead was mostly a luxury development and country club with equestrian-amenities tacked on.
Given the problems, Councilman John McGovern asked if the applicant would be willing to go back to the other boards to rework the plan to address concerns. However, the applicant’s team said they preferred not to go through the entire process again, but were willing to go before the council with changes in a few weeks.
“I’m struggling… I’m trying to be fair,” Councilwoman Maria Antuña said. “But I don’t feel that this is in the best interest of the public. Therefore, I’m a no as I was before.”
Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind was the only member of the council who supported the project. She made a motion to approve the rezoning, which failed 4-1.
No story about how the Village of Wellington’s Council used a very long 5+ hour meeting on March 24, 2026 to hide their vote for increasing their salary. The published Agenda did not include this last-minute ordinance, and one must wonder why? Especially when the Mayor bypassed public comment and allowed a vote.