A new destination for equestrian show jumping could come to eastern Paso Robles if the city’s Planning Commission approves the project tonight.
The roughly 40-acre project, called Paso Robles Horse Park, is slated for approximately 67 acres of open space off Hughes Parkway and Dry Creek Road near the Paso Robles Municipal Airport.
The project features a large grassy field and four uncovered arenas. Public horse boarding, breeding and training aren’t part of the plans, but spectators would be welcome to shows.
Organizers say the park won’t compete with the Paso Robles Event Center, the area’s longtime equestrian venue, because the two sites would feature different types of competitions.
Sanctioned by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, Paso Robles Horse Park would annually host up to eight hunter and jumper competitions, an Olympic sport that involves specific styles of horse jumping with props and fences. The competitions would typically run from January through November.
When it’s not event season, the park would go largely unused with someone onsite to look after the property, according to plans.
For that reason, city planners say the project doesn’t need its own traffic study. But developer impact fees — a form of tax levied on new development — from the project would go toward future improvements to the Highway 46 East and Airport Road intersection.
Water would come from a well on the property, plus tap water from the city hookups for the caretaker facilities and RV camping.
The development features 500 horse stalls for competitors, a hay barn, office, restrooms and caretaker house. Temporary RV camping with water and electrical hookups would also be provided to show participants. A portable event tent would go up for VIP viewing and meals at its grand prix events.
“This is not a competition where we have hundreds of spectators,” project consultant Dave Colmar said. “You have spectators that are usually participants, all people from the horse world.”
Linda Starkman, a horse enthusiast who has a second home in Paso Robles, is the owner of the project. San Luis Obispo-based RRM Design is the architect.
The Paso Robles Planning Commission has the authority to give final approval of the project unless someone appeals the decision to the City Council, according to the city.
SanLuisObispo.com is happy to provide a forum for reader interaction, discussion, feedback and reaction to our stories. However, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments or ban users who can't play nice. See our full terms of service here.
Here are some rules of the road:
You should also know that The Tribune does not screen comments before they are posted. You are more likely to see inappropriate comments before our staff does, so we ask that you click the "report abuse" button to submit those comments for moderator review. You also may notify us via email at webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us the profile name of the user who made the comment. Remember, comment moderation is subjective. You may find some material objectionable that we won't and vice versa.
If you submit a comment, the username of your account will appear along with it. Users cannot remove their own comments once they have submitted them, but you may ask our staff to retract one of your comments by sending an email to webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Again, make sure you note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us your profile name.
Be the first to know what's going on in San Luis Obispo County. Just tell us how you want to find out — we'll take care of the rest.
Sign up for breaking news alerts from SanLuisObispo.com and get the latest news sent to your cell phone via text message.
By signing up for alerts from this site, you are signing up for a program that may include up to 5 SMS text alert(s) per alert category per day. There is no service fee charged per month but your carrier's standard text messaging and other charges may apply. You may stop this subscription service at any time by sending the text message "STOP" to 72737. You must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to use our alert services. If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you agree that you have received parental permission both to complete the registration process and to receive SMS content on your cell phone. For help, send the text message "HELP" to 72737. This service will work with ATT, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, Alltell, US Cellular, Cincinnati Bell, Boost, Virgin Mobile USA, Celluar South, Telos, Centennial, East Kentucky Network, Cellcom, Immix and Rural Celluar.
E-mail »
Twitter »
Facebook »
iTribune »
Subscribe »
RSS »
About comments
Reader comments on SanLuisObispo.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Tribune. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.