I would highly recommend passing this bill with a favorable vote. I am baffled by the opposing comments, as this site can only be a positive thing for our neighborhood, families and county. They have strictly adhered to all compliances and have gone above and beyond the scope of work to make it an inclusive, safe place for riders and livestock. I wish I had something like this growing up and can envision all the wonderful opportunities afforded for youth and adults alike. Please base your vote solely on the facts and not the emotions that seem to be present. I would encourage you to walk the property and see the benefits of having this in our "Biggest Little City" and share this rich Nevada heritage with our new homeowners and friends. We can not allow feelings to interrupt this decision, especially when they are not fact based. We might be growing here in Washoe County but some of us moved to this specific area for the land with keeping our livestock with us and fully benefitting from all Southwest Reno has to offer. This is an incredible gift we are being given, let's embrace it. Thank you so much for your consideration.

I am in support of an indoor arena at the Silver Circle Ranch.

Neighbor in Favor
I would also like to speak for the many neighbors who support Landess Witmer.
Over the last 8 yrs we have watched Reno’s open spaces disappear as developers gobbled up ranch land and most of Reno’s available open space. As the population expanded, equestrians, hikers, bikers and dog lovers have watched huge swatches of Reno disappear. A 75-acre residential development was recently approved next-door to Pro-Pony with no opposition from the neighbors against Pro Pony.
Private property rights are crucial for property owners as they provide a legal foundation for individuals to control, use, & transfer their land. These rights offer a sense of ownership, allowing landowners to make decisions about their property without interference. This control is essential for business practices, land development, and economic stability.
Pro Pony provides a unique training opportunity for individuals of all ages, contributing to community well-being. Additionally, the facility serves as an educational resource while teaching responsible horse care.
My family have visited SCR many times and the property presents safe, clean and professional. If driving on Holcomb, the facility is actually hidden from view. If you drive around the Holcomb & Lakeside neighborhoods, many homes (including the homes of opposition) have outbuilding larger than what Landess Witmer is proposing. Many of the opposition own cattle & goats whose feces are unmanaged. Pro Pony’s property is clean as they subscribe to a manure disposal service.
We all moved to Southwest Reno for the rural lifestyles and freedom to design & build as we wish. Sadly, there are neighbors who have a well-documented history of suing, harassing & intimidating neighbors they don't agree with.

Private property rights give meaning to the right to the product of one’s labor-privilege which we have all regarded. Private Property rights are among the most ancient and basic of human rights, and among the most essential to freedom and progress. They are the privileges of private ownership which give meaning to the right to the product of one’s labor—privileges which must be protected.
Your favorable consideration will be greatly appreciated.

I am in support of this arena and the opportunity it will provide to the experience and safety of the horses and their riders.

I am a constituent of Alexis Hill. I urge you to vote to approve the SUP for ProPony and the historic Silver Circle Ranch. I have attended every public hearing regarding this issue and know that there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation put forward by the opposition. Every concern has been addressed by the applicants, the board’s own staff recommends approval and the WC board should approve this request.

The arena would be very nice

I would like to extend my support for this arena as well as the group lobbying for it. This arena meets every standard set forth, and is a much needed addition to the community.
As a Reno native, it is very upsetting to see money and greed interfere with a project that meets community and zoning standards and one would add value to the equestrian community and the area as a whole.

The safety of the horses should be a priority.

Silver Circle Ranch deserves an indoor horse riding arena, which would enhance both the well-being of our beloved equine companions and the overall experience for riders. A dedicated arena would provide a controlled environment, sheltered from unpredictable weather, ensuring consistent training and exercise for the horses. This facility would be used by riders of all levels, fostering a sense of community. Additionally, it opens up opportunities for hosting competitions and events, boosting local tourism and economic growth. Supporting this appeal is not just an investment in the ranch but a commitment to the great equestrian culture within our community. To ensure the realization of this invaluable arena, I urge the authorities to wholeheartedly approve this appeal, recognizing the positive impact it will have on Silver Circle Ranch and the broader equestrian community.

I support this project. It seems that opposition is centered around the following complaints, which I would like to refute:
- Noise: I have not observed any noise issues associated with this facility. On the contrary it is very peaceful and sometimes, when the weather nice, I will roll down the windows and take a nap in my car while I wait for my daughter's lesson to conclude. I would anticipate that if an indoor facility is built, less noise would be able to carry to the surrounding properties.
- Traffic: The current road is used by many people driving from the South Reno to McCarren. On January 4th, 2024, at approximately 2:30 PM I observed the traffic at this location for 10 minutes. During that 10-minute interval, I counted 27 vehicles that used this road. I understand this is a limited sample size but and was not taken during peak times but if extrapolated would mean that approx. 2,000 vehicles use this road during a 12-hr period. The 10s of vehicles resulting from an increase in the number of riders using this facility would be nearly non-existent to the thousands of vehicles that already use this road on a daily basis.
- Water Impacts: I have undergraduate and graduate degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering and have been a professional environmental consultant for over 20 years. It is my professional opinion that a stable with 35 horses along with the construction of an indoor arena wouldn't have measurable impacts on water quality for the region. The indoor area can be built using industry standard best management practices to mitigate stormwater impacts during construction. As for chemical impacts to water quality, horse manure primarily consists of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and is not really any different in composition than commercially available fertilizers. In fact, many sustainable agricultural operations are increasing their use of manure to limit the need for commercial fertilizers. Having the horses in stables allows for better management of the manure in such a way that it would minimize migration to surface or groundwater and would result in less impacts than the nearby residents who have livestock grazing in pastures.

Please approve this project.

I am in support of this.

I am a neighbor in the immediate vicinity of Silver Circle Ranch and I support this application. It seems that the heart of this matter lies in whether or not Pro Pony's application meets the 5 requirements for approval set out in WCC Section 110.810.30 which are consistency, improvements, site suitability, issuance not detrimental and effect on a military installation. In the Board of Adjustment's Staff Report, the author reviews each requirement and and concludes, with explanations, that each requirement was met by Pro Pony (the 5th requirement was deemed not applicable). The Staff Report recommended approval. No governing agencies have objected to this application.

The only opposition lies with a small group of neighbors who would ask that their opinions be valued more highly than that of their community members. That their opinions would have more merit might make sense if we were talking about someone putting up an ugly garage. However, this is a riding facility that is a benefit to the community as a whole and, therefore, the opinions of everyone would be valued equally.

No comment at this time.

As Reno population density increase, there are less opportunities and places for children, and adults, to have access to horses. Horses are great for body and soul. The Witmers are doing a lovely job or supporting both community and clients. It will be fabulous to have a covered arena for year around use.

I support an indoor arena where riders can safely ride their horses especially in poor weather. This riding facility is in a rural area of Washoe County and there should be more indoor arenas in these areas. Please vote to allow the indoor arena.

I am a fellow equestrian business operator in the area of Silver Circle Ranch. A safe training space and a place for children to experience the power of the horse is so important for our community. I am in support of Silver Circle Ranch updating their arena for the weather we get here in Reno, and understand the importance of having a safe riding place year-round.

I fully support this project for an indoor training arena. I live in the same county commission district as the Silver Circle Ranch. In addition, my daughter has been riding with Pair of Aces Stables since June of 2020. An indoor arena would greatly improve the ability of riders, and their horses, to train during inclement weather. The applicants have met every design and zoning criteria necessary to obtain a special use permit to complete this important project, and their design is sensitive to the existing properties, residential and farm, in the neighborhood. I have lived in Reno my entire life, and spent much of my childhood riding on Holcomb Ranch Lane. My daughter Ruby and I are now fortunate enough to live in the area, and we chose it in large part because of the remaining agricultural and livestock aspects that are allowed here. (We did not choose it for the influx of McMansions constructed on what remains of the meadows, that are indeed inconsistent with the area.) This project is complementary to the region, and the business has served, and would do so even more, as a benefit to residents and visitors, as well as the equestrian community as a whole. I urge you to vote to grant the appeal of Pro Pony and grant the Special Use Permit. Thank you, Carolyn Tanner (and Ruby too!)

I Support-
Pro Pony's, LLC requests approval of a special use permit to bring an existing legal non-conforming commercial stable to board 35 horses into conformance with Washoe County Code and to allow for the construction of a 13,500 SF indoor riding arena structure. Pro Pony, LLC is also requesting modifications to remove the requirement for paved parking surfaces to allow non-paved surfaces (110.410.25(e)) and to waive landscape standards for commercial uses (110.412.40(a-d)). The applicant and property owner is Pro Pony, LLC. The address is 3400 Holcomb Ranch Lane (Silver Circle Ranch) in Reno.

I fully support the indoor arena at Silver Circle Ranch

I strongly support the construction of this indoor arena. I think especially young equestrians would greatly benefit from an indoor arena since the harsh winter weather has the tendency to worsen depression and can severely impact mental health. The indoor arena will provide major benefits to the riding community. There will not be any changes or increase in traffic as we're just providing a safe venue for the riders & horses. The arena is too small to host a competition in it. The project meets EVERY Washoe County Staff finding, is completely legal - and should be approved.