Agenda 10/08/2019 Item #11C (Horse Boarding Standards in the Estates)10/08/2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to direct staff on changes, if any, regarding standards for boarding of horses in
the Estates Zoning District.
OBJECTIVE: To provide a summary regarding how Collier County currently regulates boarding of
horses in the Estates Zoning District and to give direction to staff regarding changes to the Growth
Management Plan and Land Development Code, if any.
CONSIDERATIONS: On July 9, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners (Board) directed staff to
provide a report regarding how the County regulates boarding horses. It was noted that boarding facilities
are currently limited to large tracts of rural agricultural lands and that a possible outcome would be for the
Board to look for ways to facilitate more boarding opportunities throughout the County, such as in the
Estates Zoning District.
The LDC currently limits commercial boarding of horses to the Rural Agricultural (A) Zoning District as
follows:
• On properties 20 acres or greater: Permitted Use.
• On properties less than 20 acres: Conditional Use and limited to two horses per acre.
GMP standards related to the Estates Designation
The Estates designation is intentionally restrictive regarding the proliferation of non-residential uses. The
designation is described in the Golden Gate Area Master Plan (GGAMP) as, “characterized by low
density semi-rural residential lots with limited opportunities for other land uses.” (Section III.2)
Non-residential uses in Golden Gate Estates (other than commercial uses - retail, office, etc.) are only
allowed on lands zoned E-Estates through the conditional use process and subject to location, spacing,
and development standards. The GGAMP allows essential services conditional uses (e.g. fire station,
government offices, water treatment plant, hospital) anywhere in Golden Gate Estates. The GGAMP
allows “E” zoning district conditional uses (church, child care center, ALF, fraternal organization, etc.)
via four provisions: 1) adjacent to the four Neighborhood Centers - which are shown on the attached
Golden Gate Estates Neighborhood Centers map from the GGAMP; 2) adjacent to certain higher intensity
uses (e.g. commercial zoning, fire station), subject to parcel size limitation - between 2.25 and 5.0 acres;
3) on the west side of Collier Blvd. on a parcel abutting an existing conditional use on both sides, and on
the two parcels abutting the Commercial Western Estates Infill Subdistrict located at the southwest corner
of Collier Blvd. and Vanderbilt Beach Road; 4) on specific parcels excepted from locational criteria via
private sector initiated GMP amendments - all of which are now developed.
If horse boarding is added as a conditional use, then it would be subject to the limited provisions and
locations previously noted, unless the GGAMP is amended to otherwise allow that use - which could be
anywhere in Golden Gate Estates, or subject to locational criteria established specifically for that use.
Considerations for Potential Changes
If the Board desires to expand commercial boarding of horses within the Estates District, amendments to
the LDC will be necessary. Furthermore, if the Board desires to make boarding of horses a conditional
use in the Estates District, a GMP amendment will be necessary. These changes will need to consider
issues such as allowable locations, site design, parcel sizes, traffic, noise, odors, and other potential
impacts prior to expanding the allowance for horse stables in the Estates District, such as:
• Approval process:
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o The conditional use process may be the most appropriate avenue for expanding stabling
in the Estates as it allows for an analysis of potential effects on neighboring properties in
relation to noise, glare, economic, or odor effects as well as ingress and egress, and other
compatibility considerations.
• Minimum sizes:
o Site standards may limit which parcels could accommodate stables. The Estates district
includes properties as narrow as 75 feet, and less than 2 acres. Smaller lot sizes may be
inappropriate for stabling operations.
• Location:
o Some locations in the Estates may be inappropriate for boarding operations. Amendments
to the GGAMP and LDC could help to mitigate potential impacts of these uses in the
Estates.
• Setbacks:
o Minimum setbacks should be established to ensure that structures associated with horse
boarding are not located in close proximity to residential structures on neighboring
properties.
• Traffic/Parking:
o Improvements may be required to accommodate customers traveling to, and parking at,
the site. Stables may generate traffic from customers or deliveries.
• Events:
o Commercial boarding operations may also include other services and activities such as
riding lessons, horse shows, rodeos, or other events. Any change to the LDC should
consider the potential impacts of any events or other services that could be offered by a
horse boarding facility.
• Lighting:
o There are currently no lighting standards for the Estates District; however, horse stables
may include lighting that is significantly more intense than lighting for residences.
• Growth Management Plan:
o If the Board decides to expand commercial boarding of horses within the Estates via the
conditional use process, an amendment to the Conditional Uses Subdistrict provisions
within GGAMP will be needed to add that use. And, the Board would need to determine
whether to allow such a conditional use subject to current GGAMP provisions, or subject
to new conditional use limitations that would allow for greater locational flexibility, or
subject to no locational restrictions.
Other Communities
Staff reviewed standards for stabling in several Florida communities. Where stabling is allowed, lot size
limitations, development standards, or other restrictions are common. Several examples are shown below:
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Community Districts Allowed Minimum
Lot Sizes
Limitations
on Horses
Other
Restrictions
Broward County Estates, Rural Estates, Rural
Ranches
2.3 acres or
4.5 acres
None found None found
Marion County Residential Estates None found 4 horses per
acre
Includes
minimum area
required for
grazing.
Village of Wellington Equestrian Overlay Zoning
District
Varies by
subarea (1
to 10 acres)
4 stalls per
acre
(maximum
10 per lot)
Standards for
setbacks,
fences, walls,
parking, horse
trailers and
stalls, and other
limitations.
Palm
Beach
County
Commercial
Stables
Permitted Use in:
• Commercial Recreation
District Administrative
Approval Required in:
• Agricultural • Agricultural
Residential • Community
Commercial • General
Commercial Conditional Use
in: • Residential
• Neighborhood Commercial
• Commercial Low Office
5 acres None found
(Up to 20
stalls
requires
DRO
approval)
Use limitations
and standards
for minimum
frontage and
setbacks apply.
May be
collocated with
residential
uses.
Private
Stables
Permitted Use in:
• Agricultural • Agricultural
Residential • Residential
Estate Conditional Use in:
• Residential Transitional
• Single- and Multi-Family
Residential
None found None
found. (Up
to 12 stalls
requires
principal
structure
setbacks)
Allows for
boarding of up
to 4 horses not
owned by the
occupant of the
premises on
lots of at least
2 acres.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are no fiscal impacts associated with this action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality, and it requires a majority
vote for staff direction. (HFAC)
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this
action.
RECOMMENDATION: To direct staff as to any changes to the Growth Management Plan and Land
Development Code to allow for horse stabling in the Estates Zoning District.
Prepared by: Jeremy Frantz, LDC Manager, Zoning Division
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 11.C
Doc ID: 9891
Item Summary: Recommendation to direct staff on changes, if any, regarding standards for
boarding of horses in the Estates Zoning District. (Jeremy Frantz, LDC Manager, Zoning Division)
Meeting Date: 10/08/2019
Prepared by:
Title: Planner, Senior – Zoning
Name: Jeremy Frantz
08/21/2019 9:41 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Manager - Planning – Zoning
Name: Ray Bellows
08/21/2019 9:41 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Growth Management Department Judy Puig Level 1 Reviewer Completed 08/21/2019 1:57 PM
Zoning Ray Bellows Additional Reviewer Completed 09/03/2019 8:40 AM
Growth Management Department David Weeks Additional Reviewer Completed 09/16/2019 6:27 PM
Growth Management Department James C French Deputy Department Head Review Completed 09/17/2019 11:35 PM
Growth Management Department Thaddeus Cohen Department Head Review Completed 09/18/2019 3:13 PM
County Attorney's Office Heidi Ashton-Cicko Level 2 Attorney of Record Review Completed 09/26/2019 11:53 AM
Office of Management and Budget Laura Wells Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 09/26/2019 12:14 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 09/26/2019 2:44 PM
Office of Management and Budget Laura Zautcke Additional Reviewer Completed 09/27/2019 12:06 PM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 09/29/2019 7:56 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 10/08/2019 9:00 AM
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