Yea or neigh on zoning change in Walworth County?
TROY TOWNSHIP — Town officials are considering what kind of zoning is right for a local horse business.
West 20 Ranch and Saddle Company, W4812 Highway 20, East Troy, has operated for seven years on an A-1 agricultural zoning conditional use permit, allowing owner Julie Cyra to have retail sales, horse shows, clinics and training facilities.
A-1 zoning generally is granted to family farms, which Cyra said is the way she has run her business for the past seven years.
"Now they (county officials) say it's too professionally run and my Web site is too professional for me to be a farm family business," Cyra said. "That's why they want me to change to A-2."
A-2 zoning would allow Cyra to have a commercial store and commercial stable without a conditional use permit.
Cyra said she's concerned about the outcome of the zoning debate.
"The county has told me that they don't see any reasons why this won't go through with the zoning change and conditional use," she said. "But it's still very scary."
Several neighbors Tuesday attended the Troy Town Planning Commission meeting in support of West 20, praising Cyra's involvement and service to the community.
They mentioned her free horse shows, Girl Scouts and elderly tours, Christian camps, 4-H events and others, for which Cyra takes pride on "never charging a penny."
Town Board Chairman John Kendall said town officials will visit the property Monday, and the planning commission on Sept. 1 will discuss what recommendation to make to the town board.
Kendall said he has seen nothing that could prevent West 20 from obtaining its zoning amendment.
"We see it as a business we would like to have within our community," he said. "She does an awful lot for the community."
The only issue Kendall sees is a lack of sign in front of the property.
Cyra said she has applied before but was granted only a 3-by-3-foot sign. With different zoning, she would like to have a bigger sign.
"That could be rectified easily with the town making a recommendation to the county to go ahead and let her put up a sign," Kendall said.
Aug 8, 2009 at 3:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Generally conditional use permits are not granted in perpetuity. The idea is that the business might close or move before it becomes an issue. This is basically a minor zoning type change for a mature business that would put the stable in a better fit, and the business owner and county agree, so the only stumbling block could be neighborhood opposition.
Aug 8, 2009 at 2:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
After visting the website, http://www.west20.com/index.htm, it appears to be more like a business. They charge $400/month for boarding a horse, sell horses, and rent out facilities. I think the requested zoning change is appropriate.
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