The Mountain View County municipal planning commission has approved an application for change of use from private to public for an existing riding arena.
The move came by way of motion at the commission’s recent regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers.
The applicant and the owner is Moore’s Feedlot Ltd, with the facility involved located at the intersection of Twp. Rd. 324 and Rge. Rd. 34 in the Harmattan rural community.
The $291,000 project will see the existing 22,000-square-foot building switch from private to public use.
The county defines a riding arena public as a public facility (buildings, shelters and other structures) at which horses are exercised or trained, or training in equestrian skills or equestrian competitions or shows are held.
The application submitted by the landowner outlines the various requested uses within the riding arena, including up to three weekend shows per year for cutting horses with up to 30 horse trailers, up to four weekday or weekend shows for timed events such as barrel racing or team roping with up to 30 horse trailers, up to two roping jackpots, and up to five days a week public riding/roping.
The application was circulated to adjacent landowners within half a mile of the subject property and administration did not receive any letters of concern or objection, administration said in a briefing note to the commission.
“This facility is for personal use with invited friends,” the applicant said in a letter to the commission. “We also allow requests for use at our discretion. It is not open to the public, however we like to allow community and youth access at our approval.
“We would like to be able to have community and friends able to ride on an occasional basis. We would like to have cutting horse shows two or three weekends per year. We would also like to allow clubs such as rodeo youth to be able to use the facility for weather alternative.”
The approval comes with a number of conditions, including that the applicant manage manure in adherence to the Agricultural Operations Practices Act and that any future expansion and/or intensification of events/riding area use will require the issuance of a new development permit and/or event permit.
Second application approved
Meanwhile, the commission approved a second, unrelated application regarding a riding arena at its recent regularly scheduled meeting.
The application was to change use for two farm buildings (riding arena and barn) to two riding arenas public.
The owner and applicant is Keith Harold Girletz and Joan Caroline Foord Girletz.
The property involved is located at the intersection of Rge. Rd. 32 and Twp. Rd. 312 in the Westcott rural community.
“The applicant is proposing two public riding arenas to be used to provide equine training and riding lessons,” administration said in a briefing note to the commission. “In addition, the applicant has requested the ability to host up to four clinics a year for up to 12 riding participants per clinic. These events will not be open to the public for viewing purposes.”
The approval came with a number of conditions, including that no camping will be permitted at the site at any time.
