Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and Discovery Land Company have received initial approval from the Wellington village council to move forward with a mixed-use development on a former polo field. The proposed Isla Carroll Polo and Residences project would include homes, an equestrian complex, and a private club.
The council voted 3-2 in favor of the zoning changes during the first reading on Monday. Mayor Michael Napoleone, Vice Mayor Tanya Siskin, and Councilman John McGovern supported the measure, while Councilwomen Maria S. Antuna and Amanda Silvestri opposed it.
Mayor Napoleone emphasized that significant revisions are needed before final approval can be granted next month. “In the interest of preserving the [polo] field I am giving you another shot, but I don’t know how you are going to get there unless there are fundamental changes,” he said.
McCourt Partners, based in New York, and Discovery Land Company from Scottsdale, Arizona, plan to redevelop the 79.2-acre site at 3665 120th Avenue South into a community featuring an equestrian complex with a polo field and private club amenities such as restaurants, a spa, racquet sports facilities, gym, and polo training simulators.
A key aspect of the rezoning request is to allow for 40 single-family homes on half-acre lots rather than two-acre lots required under current zoning rules intended for equestrian properties.
Frank McCourt addressed council members at the meeting after traveling from Cairo. He stated his intention was to benefit polo through this development rather than create “another soulless subdivision.” He added: “We have gone to great lengths to comply with your code and not ask for a single thing we are not entitled to. This is a project we’re extremely proud of and we have a lot of people supporting it.”
Attorney Neil Schiller reported that there were 120 letters of support for the project as well as backing from Wellington’s planning staff. Stewart Armstrong, chairman of the United States Polo Association (USPA), spoke in favor of the proposal and confirmed that USPA has agreed to lease the property for $1 per year plus $250,000 annually for maintenance over renewable ten-year periods up to 45 years.
“That is like FAU [Florida Atlantic University] having a deal with the NFL to have games and programming at their stadium [in Boca Raton],” Schiller said.
The National Polo Center nearby already serves professional polo events hosted by USPA. Schiller argued that without this new private club focused on polo activities, Wellington would miss out on an important opportunity. Ed Davitas from Discovery Land Company explained that Estudio Ramos designed plans centering around learning about and watching polo matches.
Opponents expressed concerns about losing one of two existing polo fields on site along with demolition of a barn containing 24 stalls; they also noted there would be no overnight accommodations for horses. Some critics feared future residential expansion if agreements between developers and USPA collapse—a concern Schiller countered by noting any further land use change would require unanimous council approval if this plan passes.
Councilman McGovern told Schiller he would have voted against final approval but hopes developers return with improvements beyond just “a polo field and a country club.” He suggested considering alternatives such as incorporating several farms alongside residences into future site plans.
A company linked to McCourt acquired East Isla Carroll in 2022 for $52 million—years after McCourt sold his Major League Baseball team for $2.2 billion—and has previously bought or sold other equestrian properties in Wellington.
Discovery Land Company has experience developing luxury communities including Atlantic Fields in Hobe Sound’s Martin County—a partnership with Becker Holding Company featuring hundreds of homes built around golf amenities.
