Permit problems stall horse-rescue barn
Roadblocks from county surprise leaders of ranch
Wildhorse Ranch Rescue leaders thought the most difficult part of replacing the rescue’s dilapidated barn was fundraising.
They didn’t count on the county government’s bureaucracy. Fundraising turned out to be a trivial concern. With a couple of grants toward the $60,000 construction cost, the Gilbert horse rescue near Lindsay and Warner roads could proceed.
The problems came when rescue leaders started applying for a permit from Maricopa County. Rescue leaders discovered that the county did not process an agricultural-exemption application they submitted in October 2011.
At that time, the county had cited the rescue for operating on non-commercial property, posing the possibility of having to shut down or pursue a costly special-use permit. It also was cited for building a shade structure without proper permits.
The county advised the horse rescue to apply for an agricultural exemption, which costs about $300, because that would help it continue as a non-commercial property. A law signed in March 2011 by Gov. Jan Brewer gave rescue ranches a chance to seek agricultural status and win exemption from county zoning and building codes.
Now, the county says the ranch doesn’t qualify for agricultural exemption because it is on 1.2 acres, much less than the required 5-acre minimum.
Calls for comment to the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department were not returned.
Founder Kim Meagher contacted the Governor’s Office of Constituent Services asking for a meeting with the governor.
Instead, she received the following reply: “We are sorry to read of the predicament you are experiencing. If your organization and Maricopa County have a differing interpretation of state law, you may consider contacting an attorney for legal advice and assistance. We understand that legal costs can be extensive. You may wish to contact the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education, as free or reduced-cost legal services may be available.”
Since 1995, the ranch has saved about 200 horses, including many United States Forest Service horses and mules retired from service. Currently, the rescue has 12 horses on-site, and Meagher said that replacing the old barn was a necessity.
Meagher said she was going forward with plans to build the barn by May.
“We’ll just have to pay more to the county for their permit fee. It’s going to cost us more money, basically, because they are not giving us the (agricultural) exemption,” she said.