The horse community of Polk County appears to be split on the desirability of a proposed AA equestrian center in Green Creek.

The Polk County Zoning Board of Adjustment held the first of possibly several hearings Tuesday to determine if the proposed 96-acre facility should be permitted in the county&squo;s multiple-use zoning district.

The facility, which would include five stables with room for 500 horses, 10 riding rings and a steeplechase race track, is considered a conditional land use requiring zoning board approval.

Approximately 120 residents attended Tuesday&squo;s hearing during which the zoning board provided an overview of the hearing process and heard testimony from those in favor of the equestrian center.

Nine residents spoke in favor of the facility and 14 signed up to speak against. The board will reconvene next Monday at 4 p.m. at the Womack Building in Columbus to hear testimony from opponents.

Those in favor of the equestrian center said Tuesday that the facility would be in harmony with the surrounding area as there are several horse farms in the area. Testimony was also heard from realtors and an appraiser, who said surrounding property values likely would rise significantly if the proposed center is built.

The center is proposed for a 95.76-acre tract and an additional 3.87-acre tract off Hwy. 9, just north of Collinsville Road.. The properties were recently acquired by Roger Smith of Green River Farms.

The facility is proposed to be a non-profit equestrian event facility. Smith said his plans are to donate the property to the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club (TRHC), which would manage the facility. He said TRHC will raise funds and take out loans to pay for the construction of the facility. He and his wife Jennifer will oversee the facility and will have a say in any major decisions there, he said.

Plans are for the facility to include a recreational vehicle park with 30 hook-ups, providing water and electrical service. Smith said no sewage would be provided except in self containment units in the recreational vehicles.

There are five stables proposed that will board 100 horses per stable, resulting in a 500-horse facility that could accommodate larger shows than currently come to the county. By comparison, the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) has stables for about 300 horses. Also included in the Green River Farms facility would be a steeplechase track, various riding trails and ten riding rings, including five show rings and five warm-up rings.

Smith said the timeline for construction will most likely be three to five years, depending on funding acquired by the TRHC. Smith also said he hopes to hook up to Polk County water, but if that&squo;s not available, wells would be drilled.

Smith was questioned on issues such as lighting, dust, speakers/noise and how many spectators might attend the events. Smith said he will do everything possible to ensure the facility is environmentally friendly and he expects anywhere from two to three people to attend per horse for regular events. The annual Blockhouse Steeplechase is also planned to be moved from FENCE to the proposed facility and would be the largest event with an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 people on that day, Smith said.

Smith was questioned on concerns that from area residents relating to light pollution, noise pollution, dust control, perimeter fencing, manure pits. He was also asked how the center would impact vegetation, water and the Collinsville Equestrian Trail Association (CETA) trails that are on the property.

Board of adjustment chairman Paul Weidman said Green River Farms will need affirmative votes from at least four of the five members of the zoning board to get a conditional use zoning permit. The decision likely will be made during the week of July 21.

During Tuesday&squo;s meeting, the zoning board also discussed the fact that Weidman and fellow zoning board member Frank Monterisi are current members of TRHC.

Other zoning board members voted for those members not to recuse themselves since&bsp; neither Weidman or Monterisi serve on the TRHC board, hold office with the organization, or stand to make any financial gain from the proposed equestrian center. Both Weidman and Monterisi said they pay their dues and are on a mailing list and are able to purchase tickets to the Steeplechase early with no discount.

Sharon Alexander, an attorney hired by Marcie Wright, Jack Lingafelter and Pat Salomon, said she objected to that conflict of interest for Weidman and Monterisi.

See more coverage on the first hearing in Friday&squo;s edition of the Bulletin.

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