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The meeting room was filled to the brim Tuesday, Jan. 13 during a public hearing on proposed horse-boarding regulations hosted by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Among the list of the 12 proposals, trailer uses, caretaker and camping regulations were the majority of topics discussed during the public hearing.

Although little opposition was voiced by attendees — who were either horse boarders themselves or self-proclaimed horse lovers — on the proposed regulations, several bits of input were brought up by about 20 people who choose to speak publicly on the matter.

According to Rudy Esquivias, city of Apache Junction senior planner, different perspectives on the proposals is exactly what are needed.

Mr. Esquivias presented the proposed regulations to the P&Z commission during the Jan. 13 public hearing in Apache Junction City Council Chambers.

All the seats were filled and local residents sat in chairs outside the ddor or stood outside the chambers to listen in.

"The purpose of this meeting is mainly to allow for public comment on this issue," he prefaced his presentation to the commission, adding, "we plan to start drafting ordinance language."

Mr. Esquivias said in a Jan. 14 phone interview development services staff expect to submit the proposed regulations in ordinance form to the P&Z commission at its Feb. 10 work session.

The proposed ordinance could be up for a recommendation to city council by the P&Z commission as soon as Feb. 24, Mr. Esquivias said.

The P&Z commission can only provide Apache Junction City Council with a recommendation, which is gained through a public vote. City council will have the final say in the matter, city code states.

If everything goes according to plan, Mr. Esquivias said this matter could be before city council in early March.

Apache Junction residents, winter visitors and representatives of the horse community were on-hand last week to offer input on the regulations and the hard work that went into the creation of the proposals.

Winter visitor Mardi Devolites expressed her approval for the joint effort between city staff and the Apache Junction horse community.

"I have followed the developments of the horse-boarding regulations and they have all been terrific," she said during the public hearing. "I want to support the staff for doing everything they have done."

While she says she supports the proposed regulations as is, she is worrisome of those who do not fit the legal definition of a horse-boarding facility, but still offer the service within city limits.

The legal definition of a legal horse-boarding facility is simply one that stands on at least 2.5 acres of land, current city code states.

"I would like to see a crackdown on the illegal boarding facilities within town," she told the commission.

Apache Junction resident Debra Weller says her main concern is for the well-being of the horses and said proposed regulations do not address any facility inspections.

"We want the best for the horses and the best for Apache Junction," she told the commission. "There (are) no provisions at all for any inspections for horse-boarding facilities. I don’t have a problem ... I just want to see that the horses are well taken care of."

Beverly Hansen, Superstition Stables owner, talked about the importance of the new horse-trailer provision included in the proposed regulations.

"This is highly desired by our winter visitors," she said of the need for horse trailers at horse-boarding facilities. "People that board horses want trailers as close to where the horses are boarded."

The proposed regulations would allow for one horse trailer per horse boarded, Ms. Hansen said.

"Horse trailers are a must," she explained to the commission. "Horse trailers and horses go together."

Superstition Horsemen’s Association President Ed Dison explained to the commission of how important the horse community is to the local economy.

"This lifestyle is a major attraction to this area," he said of the western heritage that often lures part-time residents to Apache Junction. "This is a major business and it is in our backyard."

Apache Junction resident Dana Jordan said while he appreciates the western heritage and believes the city ought to continue its favorable relationship with the horse community, he had some concerns.

"You have to make sure the lighting doesn’t go onto others’ property," he said of his concerns. "Rules are made for common sense."

Mr. Jordan said his five-acre plot of land is adversely affected by a horse stable that is adjacent to his home.

"Their choices are adversely affecting my quality of life," he said of common nuisances such as odor and flies. "There are two sides to every coin."

Apache Junction resident Eric Messina — who is a member of SHA — says when it comes to establishing horse-boarding regulations the city of Apache Junction should set the tone for Pinal County as a whole.

"It is not an easy job, but we choose to do this because we love horses," he said of the strong ties that exist between city residents and Apache Junction’s western heritage. "Apache Junction should lead, not follow."

Following the roughly 60 minutes of public comment on the issue, P&Z commission members offered their interpretation of the proposed regulations, what the next step is and what they think ought to be altered.

Pat Richmond, P&Z commission member, said a couple of the proposed regulations such as hours of operation, trailer uses and camping regulations could become problematic.

Ms. Richmond also expressed a desire to find a way to punish those who are not following current city code regarding acreage of a legal horse-boarding facility.

"I wish there was a way to punish the ones not doing it the right way," she said of her concerns. "But this leaves too many doors open ... too many loop holes some people are going to sneak through."

Theresa Nesser, P&Z commission member, said she is dedicated to preserving the western heritage cherished by Apache Junction residents as long as she is a part of city government.

P&Z Commissioner Joe Durbala agrees that the city of Apache Junction ought to lead the way when it comes to establishing city horse-boarding regulations in Pinal County.

"It is well overdue," he said of establishing the horse-boarding ordinances. "Why are we not looking to the county on these ordinances?"

Charles Bunten, P&Z commission vice chairman, says he would like to take a look at what language is used in ordinances other communities throughout the state use for horse-boarding regulations.

"Many of these areas probably have ordinances," he said of communities such as Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale. "We should have a guide to know what the rest of the world is doing before we head off on a mule when we should be heading off on a horse."

Mr. Bunten says he wants to get this done right the first time.

"I know what I am talking about when it comes to horses," he said of his experience breeding race horses. "We need to do it first and we need to do it right."

Sue Johns, P&Z commissioner, says the horse community is an intricate part of the identity of the city of Apache Junction.

"We need the horse community — it brings a lot of our charm," she explained.