County adopts new horse rules
By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News
People launching horse-related businesses in Larimer County will have
a lot of leeway before they have to undergo review by the planning department.
County commissioners on July 19 adopted new regulations that set numbers
on boarded horses and riding lessons that a business can accommodate as
an accessory to a home, farm or ranch. If the business owner stays within
the limit, it is considered a use by right.
The new rules take effect Sept. 7. That date also kicks off a one-year
transition program during which existing, unapproved equine businesses
can go through the review process for a reduced fee, if they need review
at all.
"We are a lot better off than we were two hours ago," Commissioner Lew
Gaiter said at the conclusion of the public hearing. "This is something
we can all be proud of in Larimer County."
There are now four tiers of review for equestrian operations: accessory
horse keeping, also called use by right; pubic site plan review with a
$300 fee ($150 during transition period); minor special review; and special
review.
Prior to these land-use code changes, horse business facilities were either
a use by right or required approval through special review, which many
considered onerous and expensive.
Following are some examples of land use that will not require county review:
The new regulations will allow the owner of five acres to have 10 horses
on the property provided no more than four horses are boarders. The same
property can host an unlimited number of trainee visits from nonprofit
groups and at least 15 additional trainees per week.
Pony clubs and 4-H are examples of nonprofit groups, but age of members
is not restricted. Several speakers at the public hearing encouraged the
commissioners to make it easy and inexpensive for youth to learn horsemanship
skills.
The owner of 10 acres can have up to 20 horses provided no more than
four horses are boarders. Trainee numbers are the same as those for five-acre
properties.
The new rules also let an equestrian operation exchange the boarding allotment
for commercial trainee visits. With 10 acres, trainee visits (other than
lessons for nonprofit groups) could go up to 23 per week without triggering
review.
Properties larger than 10 acres can choose to use each additional 2.5
acres to board one more horse or provide two more weekly trainee visits.
This regulation would let a 35-acre property board up to 14 horses in addition
to horses owned. In the alternative, the business might board four horses
and increase commercial riding lessons by 20 per week. That's in addition
to the 15 commercial lessons already allowed and the unlimited number of
lessons for nonprofit groups.
The new regulations maintain an existing rule that a property cannot keep
more than one horse per one-half acre. More details about the new regulations
will be posted on the county's web site at www.larimer.org/horses in August.
Commissioners went beyond the working group's recommendations for number
of trainee visits. Commissioner Tom Donnelly proposed letting businesses
host 15 commercial riding lessons that are not counted toward triggering
county review, and Commissioner Gaiter agreed.
Commissioner Steve Johnson disagreed, however, saying "lessons are a business."
"A public site plan (least level of review) is a very easy process that
allows neighbor input," Johnson said. "Fifteen visits per week is pretty
significant."
"It doesn't bother me if more (equestrian operations) fall into use by
right," Donnelly said.
Commissioners also decided that the county will not charge traffic impact
fees during the transition period, an issue that caused an outcry at the
May 24 public hearing. The county engineer will study traffic impacts from
equestrian businesses and make a proposal at a later date.
Larimer County developed its revised regulations by calling together a
working group to represent large and small stable owners, boarders, equine
professionals, real estate companies and neighborhoods adjacent to equine
businesses. Members met 16 times in addition to hosting several public
meetings.
The county commissioners informally agreed that the new regulations should
be evaluated within six months to a year.
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