2/4/2010 9:59:00 PM Editorial: This H.E.A.R.T. needs a home now
On Wednesday, the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Commission told Horses with H.E.A.R.T. leaders that they have another 30 days to convince property owners surrounding their proposed new home at Windmill Acres and Coyote Springs roads that they will be good neighbors.
The organization is asking for a zoning change for 9.5 acres to provide a permanent home for the program that provides equine therapy to disabled individuals of all ages.
The commission had originally voted against the organization's plan but then agreed to give them some time to come to an agreement with those in opposition. Director Trudy Chapman-Radley said 235 disabled individuals ride each year in small groups.
Horses with H.E.A.R.T. has, for some years now, provided a great service to the special needs community, improving the quality of life for all of us. It certainly isn't hard to find parents, caregivers and community members who have seen the benefits of the program and who speak highly of it. However, property owners also have a right to their concerns about traffic, dust and property values.
Now that the county Planning and Zoning Commission has given some time for Horses with H.E.A.R.T. and potential neighbors to discuss their differences and work them out, wouldn't it be great if, instead of issuing an unequivocal "no," and trotting out the threat of litigation, these neighbors would open their minds and hearts and sit down with the organization to find a way past those differences? Surely they can come to an agreement that will allow this great organization a permanent home.
Horses with H.E.A.R.T. is not a "business" per se, and the amount of traffic the organization would generate is minimal compared to other kinds of enterprises. The organization's members are mostly volunteers who work hard to care for its animals and its clients. They are highly respected in the community.
Horses with H.E.A.R.T. desperately needs a home, and time is running out on grants lined up to help it obtain that residence. Chapman-Radley and others have expressed the organization's desire to be good neighbors.
Coyote Springs is already a rural, livestock-oriented area, and it would be hard for us to think of a better place for this community organization that does so much for our residents with disabilities.
Reader Comments
Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010
Article comment by:
Kelly Schwartz
My daughter volunteers at the Therapeutic Riding of Tucson (T.R.O.T.)program. It is located in a suburban setting in a neighborhood of high end homes. I don't buy the argument that it will lower property values. Additionally, the argument about flies and dust is a false one. The complaining neighbors knowingly moved into an area zoned for horses. Any other horse owning private neighbor could create far more dust with barrel racing or roping practice several times a week.
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Article comment by:
There Goes the Neighborhood
If I'm not mistaken, the current zoning on this land allows 2 horses per acre. This organization only has 10 according to their web site, so the issue of "dust" is ridicules. A "non-commercial" owner could bring in 18 horses, have his friends come and ride them, and have a rooting good time drinking beer, blasting music and riding the ponies on his "residential" property. I don't know about anyone else, but I know which "group" I'd rather have in my neighborhood... I do understand that the residents out there should be concerned about the extra traffic on Coyote Springs Road. The moms and dads bringing their disabled children to site, would surely drive reasonably and impede the normal flow of traffic of the locals, who blast down Coyote Springs Road like a bat of h**l. I find it hard to believe that the locals would object to this activity on a piece of property already zoned for horses. This is nothing like "the tree farm" that wants to make money in a residential zoning running a business. This is a non-profit organization, that wants to ride horses on their land, which is already zoned to allow the horses to be there.
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
Keep Horses with H.E.A.R.T. in Chino! There is a great piece of land for sale just south of the current location on S. Rd. 1 West. I'd rather have this clean quiet organization here than the private residence whose owners constantly drive their noisy, dust-making quads in circles!
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
Article comment by:
Mr. Ed
I think it was a good idea that the board had to give Horses with H.E.A.R.T. a chance to win over those neighbors. Maybe Horses with H.E.A.R.T. can mitigate their concerns very quickly. I wish them the best of luck, and it seems to me they would be good neighbors.
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
bleeding heart
It sounds like it is doing great where it is, why not leave it there. As for anyone who does not live there speaking out in favor...what nerve.
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
The point is that "NIMY" (Not in my Backyard) is alive in our area! The neighbors are litigating against a tree farm on Coyote Springs that predates many of their moves to the area and the next target will likely be a wonderful animal rescue a short drive away from where HwH seeks a permanent new home, an asset to any community.
So is it better that the neighbors look at vacant land with dirt and wind blowing or the old singlewides and abandoned cars littering some of the nearby lots. Just asking....HwH you can relocate near us anyday!
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
Marie S
In its current location, Horses with Heart seems to generate minimal dust or traffic. I think it would be a wonderful addition to the Coyote Springs area, and hope the residents there will learn as much about it as possible before making up their minds.
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
MIKE B.
HOW ABOUT A ONE YEAR TRIAL PERIOD TO PROVE THESE NAY SAYERS WRONG?
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
Jan Grise
I agree that Horses with H.E.A.R.T. should be allowed to have a home in Coyote Springs. The concerns of the residents, i.e. dust, traffic and property values were positively addressed at the hearing. As a volunteer for this great organization, I have witnessed many lives positively changed. I would ask that the residents who expressed concerns give us a chance. Thank you.
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
HWH After 3 long years of looking for a new home whats the problem here? The Leaders!!!!!!
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
Elizabeth Bailey
You don't seem to realize that this organization is a necessity to those with disabilities. With out Horses with Heart alot of people will be heart broke. Maybe the people who are against this should spend some time at Horses with Heart, then maybe it would open their eyes to see what it is all about.
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
JMN
Marjorie. You missed the issue completely. They are not objecting to the organization or criticizing the caring and unselfish volunteers who donate their time. Those are nice things. They are only objecting to WHERE they want to locate it.
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
No name provided
I live close to where Horse with H.E.A.R.T. are currently located and pass by there daily. The place is immaculate! The stalls are always clean and I see no dust problems to speak of and unless the facility is holding some sort of show the traffic is very light. The community needs a program like this and by what see when I drive out in the Coyote Springs area are all kinds of animals from horses to alpaca. I think this program needs to be given a chance...
Posted: Friday, February 05, 2010
Article comment by:
Marjorie Powell
These volunteers are caring unselfish individuals helping those with handicaps. All are good citizens. So what in heavens name is the objection to this wonderful organization?
