edward
05-06-2009, 02:12 AM
Maricopa County A Model Equestrian Community?
Could it be that Maricopa County, the most populous county in the state is the most equestrian friendly and should serve as a model for others to follow?
The recent population explosion in bordering counties i.e. Pinal (on the southern boundary) and Pima (Tucson) has caused planners in these counties grave concern that they too may become another “Maricopa County”. The mere thought conjures up images of traffic congestion, pollution, high-density zoning, heat islands and all sorts of negative images.
Other rural counties: Cochise and Yavapai, that are included in the so called Sun Corridor, also share the same concerns about what the upcoming population explosion will do to their rural character.
While all of the aforementioned counties share the same concern regarding maintaining open space and their rural character, none has as favorable or as equine-friendly regulations as Maricopa County.
Could there be a lesson here? The big bad Maricopa County, the one with the worst reputation is the most desirable place to live for non-horse owners and equestrians. While there are multiple reasons for , one is that it has the least restrictive equestrian-rural zoning ordnances of any of it’s neighbors.
Maricopa does not limit the number of horses equestrians may have on their property. Neither does the city of Scottsdale. Even the city of Phoenix does not have limits (if your property has a minimum of 10,000 sq feet (1/4 acre).
Compare that to the very rural Yavapai County’s rule of 2 horses per acre. It makes no sense whatsoever.
We equestrians must take a unified stand, educate ourselves, partner with our Boards of Supervisors, Planning and Zoning Directors and Boards of Adjustment to remove unreasonable restrictions placed on us and protect our rights and our way of life. There is no reason why we should be singled out.
ASHA has established a working partnership with both Pinal and Maricopa counties and is making progress in Cochise and Coconino county. Pinal is doing some excellent work on their Comprehensive Plan and is incorporating many of the suggestions we equestrians have brought to the table. Our mutual goals include preserving open space and the rural-equestrian way of life. They have come a long way toward understanding the benefits horses bring to our world and have demonstrated a sincere interest in helping us.
ASHA President Chip Wilson and I met with Maricopa BOS Chairman Max Wilson and Immediate Past Chairman Andy Kanasek on March 23, 2009. Our agenda include two topics: Permanent Equine Zoning and Special Use Permit Text Amendment Revisions. One additional topic discussed was the negative feedback Supervisor Kanasek and the staff received regarding the current version of the SUP Text Amendment. This was very unfortunate and jeopardized our relationship and work with a horse friendly county. It also pointed out several weaknesses of the Maricopa and Statewide horse industry:
1) We do not speak with one voice.
2) We are not united. (several equine groups worked on this issue without communicating or agreement on the most important aspects of the SUP)
3) There were too many Indians and too many Chiefs
4) Too many loose cannons fired their weapons without any knowledge of the process, or current zoning ordnances and SUP’s.
We all should help and support ASHA. Then and only then, will we not only be able to prevent problems, we will be able to mobilize and maximize our effectiveness in making favorable changes.
We were well satisfied with the results of our discussions and will continue to provide more input on “A Code of The West” for Maricopa county (see last months’ article for a description)
Before the Text Amendment below, Maricopa Ordnances did not allow for boarding of any horses, riding lessons, roping or other equestrian uses without a special use permit. This is a relaxing of those rules:
Please read carefully
“PURPOSE: TA2008006 is a proposal to add a new article to the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance that will allow equestrian uses accessory to an established primary use in the Rural zoning districts as Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance Article 501.2.21.e”
“STATUS: Planning and Development staff has updated the current draft of the proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendment relating to equestrian uses (TA2008006). The language has been slightly revised after the first round of public input was from a focus group of stakeholders. Staff is now seeking input from the general public. The text amendment is scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning & Zoning Commission on May 21st, and a tentative Board of Supervisors public hearing date of June 17th.”
“CLARIFICATION: The purpose of TA2008006 is to allow equestrian uses of a limited public/commercial nature as an accessory to a single-family residence in the Rural zoning districts. Historically, the Zoning Ordinance previously allowed public riding and boarding stables in Rural zoning districts, provided the site contained at least ten (10) acres and the buildings housing animals set back a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet.”
“This previously allowed use was eliminated and deleted from the Zoning Ordinance in 1974. Staff received numerous emails from the equestrian community wherein a concern with the 100-foot setback requirement was expressed. This requirement is found as part of the past-allowed use, as well as in the current language regarding Special Use (Article 1301.1.20). This proposed amendment would have no effect on Article 1301.1.20, and the 100 foot setback required for special uses would not apply to TA2008006.”
“Public equestrian uses accessory to a single-family residence limited to the following:
1) The boarding of up to five (5) horses not owned by the private property owner and/or resident. Proof of ownership shall be maintained when more than five (5) horses are kept on a property.
2) Riding lessons, team roping practices, and similar activities shall be limited to a maximum of 24 persons (including staff, participants and spectators). More than 24 persons will require a Temporary Use Permit per Section 1302 of this ordinance, and may require a public water system in accordance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
3) All structures shall meet minimum setback requirements and the maximum lot
coverage requirement. All parcels must meet minimum lot area and width
requirements.
4) Any public equestrian use that cannot meet these conditions will require a
Special Use Permit in accordance with Article 1301.1.20 of this ordinance.
ASHA endorses this SUP. It is important to recognize that this loosens
current county regulations and if passed, could then be used as a model in other
cities and counties throughout the state. The next step now is to show our
support by showing up at the May 21st meeting in the event of opposition from
the general public.
Could it be that Maricopa County, the most populous county in the state is the most equestrian friendly and should serve as a model for others to follow?
The recent population explosion in bordering counties i.e. Pinal (on the southern boundary) and Pima (Tucson) has caused planners in these counties grave concern that they too may become another “Maricopa County”. The mere thought conjures up images of traffic congestion, pollution, high-density zoning, heat islands and all sorts of negative images.
Other rural counties: Cochise and Yavapai, that are included in the so called Sun Corridor, also share the same concerns about what the upcoming population explosion will do to their rural character.
While all of the aforementioned counties share the same concern regarding maintaining open space and their rural character, none has as favorable or as equine-friendly regulations as Maricopa County.
Could there be a lesson here? The big bad Maricopa County, the one with the worst reputation is the most desirable place to live for non-horse owners and equestrians. While there are multiple reasons for , one is that it has the least restrictive equestrian-rural zoning ordnances of any of it’s neighbors.
Maricopa does not limit the number of horses equestrians may have on their property. Neither does the city of Scottsdale. Even the city of Phoenix does not have limits (if your property has a minimum of 10,000 sq feet (1/4 acre).
Compare that to the very rural Yavapai County’s rule of 2 horses per acre. It makes no sense whatsoever.
We equestrians must take a unified stand, educate ourselves, partner with our Boards of Supervisors, Planning and Zoning Directors and Boards of Adjustment to remove unreasonable restrictions placed on us and protect our rights and our way of life. There is no reason why we should be singled out.
ASHA has established a working partnership with both Pinal and Maricopa counties and is making progress in Cochise and Coconino county. Pinal is doing some excellent work on their Comprehensive Plan and is incorporating many of the suggestions we equestrians have brought to the table. Our mutual goals include preserving open space and the rural-equestrian way of life. They have come a long way toward understanding the benefits horses bring to our world and have demonstrated a sincere interest in helping us.
ASHA President Chip Wilson and I met with Maricopa BOS Chairman Max Wilson and Immediate Past Chairman Andy Kanasek on March 23, 2009. Our agenda include two topics: Permanent Equine Zoning and Special Use Permit Text Amendment Revisions. One additional topic discussed was the negative feedback Supervisor Kanasek and the staff received regarding the current version of the SUP Text Amendment. This was very unfortunate and jeopardized our relationship and work with a horse friendly county. It also pointed out several weaknesses of the Maricopa and Statewide horse industry:
1) We do not speak with one voice.
2) We are not united. (several equine groups worked on this issue without communicating or agreement on the most important aspects of the SUP)
3) There were too many Indians and too many Chiefs
4) Too many loose cannons fired their weapons without any knowledge of the process, or current zoning ordnances and SUP’s.
We all should help and support ASHA. Then and only then, will we not only be able to prevent problems, we will be able to mobilize and maximize our effectiveness in making favorable changes.
We were well satisfied with the results of our discussions and will continue to provide more input on “A Code of The West” for Maricopa county (see last months’ article for a description)
Before the Text Amendment below, Maricopa Ordnances did not allow for boarding of any horses, riding lessons, roping or other equestrian uses without a special use permit. This is a relaxing of those rules:
Please read carefully
“PURPOSE: TA2008006 is a proposal to add a new article to the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance that will allow equestrian uses accessory to an established primary use in the Rural zoning districts as Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance Article 501.2.21.e”
“STATUS: Planning and Development staff has updated the current draft of the proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendment relating to equestrian uses (TA2008006). The language has been slightly revised after the first round of public input was from a focus group of stakeholders. Staff is now seeking input from the general public. The text amendment is scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning & Zoning Commission on May 21st, and a tentative Board of Supervisors public hearing date of June 17th.”
“CLARIFICATION: The purpose of TA2008006 is to allow equestrian uses of a limited public/commercial nature as an accessory to a single-family residence in the Rural zoning districts. Historically, the Zoning Ordinance previously allowed public riding and boarding stables in Rural zoning districts, provided the site contained at least ten (10) acres and the buildings housing animals set back a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet.”
“This previously allowed use was eliminated and deleted from the Zoning Ordinance in 1974. Staff received numerous emails from the equestrian community wherein a concern with the 100-foot setback requirement was expressed. This requirement is found as part of the past-allowed use, as well as in the current language regarding Special Use (Article 1301.1.20). This proposed amendment would have no effect on Article 1301.1.20, and the 100 foot setback required for special uses would not apply to TA2008006.”
“Public equestrian uses accessory to a single-family residence limited to the following:
1) The boarding of up to five (5) horses not owned by the private property owner and/or resident. Proof of ownership shall be maintained when more than five (5) horses are kept on a property.
2) Riding lessons, team roping practices, and similar activities shall be limited to a maximum of 24 persons (including staff, participants and spectators). More than 24 persons will require a Temporary Use Permit per Section 1302 of this ordinance, and may require a public water system in accordance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
3) All structures shall meet minimum setback requirements and the maximum lot
coverage requirement. All parcels must meet minimum lot area and width
requirements.
4) Any public equestrian use that cannot meet these conditions will require a
Special Use Permit in accordance with Article 1301.1.20 of this ordinance.
ASHA endorses this SUP. It is important to recognize that this loosens
current county regulations and if passed, could then be used as a model in other
cities and counties throughout the state. The next step now is to show our
support by showing up at the May 21st meeting in the event of opposition from
the general public.