Horse facility rules sent back for more work

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

A hard-working group of volunteers is being asked to refine its ideas for regulating horse business facilities in Larimer County.

County planning commissioners, another volunteer group, on Nov. 18 postponed making a decision on recommendations to date, saying there were too many unresolved issues. In particular, several planning commissioners said more needs to be said on how neighbors to horse businesses will be notified of changes and protected from impacts.

Early this year, the county commissioners appointed a task force to study the current regulations for commercial horse facilities and to then recommend changes to the county's land use code.

The group of 20 volunteers did that, presenting their ideas in four public meetings and then asking the planning commission to endorse their recommendations.

One new concept is to have four tiers of review based on the potential impact of the horse facility. There would be no review for use by right. Larger facilities, or businesses on smaller parcels, might fall under administrative review, minor special review, or the highest level called special review. Currently, most commercial operations require special review, which can be costly.

The November hearing brought out many voices of support, but a few stable owners who have already been approved by special review objected to implementing a less rigorous process for those currently operating illegally. They also noted that all businesses have startup costs, and horse businesses are no exception.

Others advocated for the four tiers, also called a scalable system, saying flexibility will make it financially possible for stables and riding instructors to work with 4-H programs and other youth.

"If you want a county that is nothing but subdivisions, stick to the current regulations," working group member Wendy Chase of Loveland told the planning commission.

Group member Trisha Swift of Wellington said the group aimed for ideas that were nonvindictive and nonpunitive. "We needed to move forward," she said, explaining that the goal is to get horse facility owners to see the benefit of complying with fair regulations.

Planning commissioners agreed the effort was off to a good start, but then outlined their reservations. "We need to look at what the impacts will be on the people who are not in this room," said commissioner Roger Morgan.

Planning commission chairwoman Nancy Wallace said later that some are concerned about horse businesses being allowed in all rural zones and about how they will be managed and monitored.

"The compatibility issue is the underlying question we always ask," she said.

She concurred that change needs to happen and was hopeful it could be accomplished in three to six months.

County Commissioners Kathay Rennels and Tom Donnelly said in telephone interviews that they support continued work on rewriting the regulations. Those interested may follow the process online at www.larimer.org/horses.