An equestrian facility in the Village of Oak Creek is breathing new life thanks to a decision by the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors.
By a unanimous vote on Wednesday, Sept. 15, a permanent non-transferable use permit was issued to HMR, LLC and owner Mary Morris to allow an equestrian recreational facility.
One has been at that location for more than 40 years under the name Horse Mesa Ranch, which will remain the same.
The Ranch
The property is located on Horse Ranch Road approximately 750 feet from the intersection of Horse Ranch Road and Jacks Canyon Road.
According to a county report, the subject property has been approved as a horse boarding and riding facility since 1979. In 1979, the original Use Permit for the 11.4 acres was granted for five years. In 1984, the Use Permit was renewed for 10 years. In 1995, it was renewed for another five years.
In 2000, Elizabeth J. Gordon requested that the Use Permit become permanent and an expansion of the allowed uses, increasing the number of approved horses from 46 horses to 65 horses with a maximum for 75 horses total — 10 extra horses allowed for riding clinics and shows.
“The Use Permit was approved on a permanent non-transferable basis,” it states. “Unfortunately, Elizabeth Gordon passed away and the property is now owned by her trust estate.”
Gordon, 74, died Aug. 3, 2020.
The day after the meeting, Morris said she was very happy with the board’s decision and feels it’s a win for the entire county.
“This enables the property’s decades-long operation as an equine boarding facility to continue,” she said. ”It’s a huge victory for horse owners. Horse Mesa Ranch is the last remaining equine boarding facility in the Sedona area. But it’s also a win for anyone who loves our Western culture and wants to preserve the rural way of life that makes this part of Arizona special. Even if you never step foot on Horse Mesa Ranch, you can feel good knowing this special place has been preserved.”
Since the previous Use Permit was non-transferable there are no vested rights on this parcel. This request was for a new permanent Use Permit to be issued to HMR, LLC to continue to operate the ranch exactly as was approved under the 2000 Use Permit.
On Aug. 19, the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8-1 on a motion to recommend approval of the request. The county received 73 letters of supports and four in opposition, along with backing from the Big Park Regional Coordinating Council, a nongovernmental nonprofit organization of Village of Oak Creek residents.
Senior County Planner Leah Brock said the agreement being requested is the same as was approved in 2000 with minor additions. Some of the requirements include:
- A maximum of 65 horses shall be regularly maintained at the facility.
- A maximum of 75 horses shall be allowed on the premises at noted special events.
- The horse stalls and pens shall be cleaned daily, and manure shall be removed on a monthly basis.
- Outdoor lighting shall conform to Section 603 of the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Ordinance.
- Up to eight special events per year is approved per the following conditions:
- Maximum of 100 attendees at each event.
- Special events are approved between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m..
- Apply for and obtain a Special Event Permit for each event with over 50 attendees 60 days in advance of the event.
- Onsite and offsite signage advertising special events is prohibited.
- No further splitting of the acreage while the Use Permit is in effect.
- Any future expansion of use or structures will require an amendment to this use permit.
“Horse Mesa Ranch is one-of-a-kind,” Morris said. “Its founder and long-time owner/operator was my dear friend, Bee Gordon. Following her death just over a year ago, the future of Horse Mesa Ranch was in doubt. I’m just glad we were in a position to purchase the ranch and continue Bee’s legacy.
And for her personally, Morris added, “I grew up with horses. My parents raised Arabians since the 1940s — they had horses before they had us kids. My husband and I moved to the Village of Oak Creek 20 years ago, and Horse Mesa Ranch has always been where we keep our horses. My love of all things equestrian is truly in my blood, and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity through Horse Mesa Ranch to share what we love and have learned about horses with other people.”
Major Campaign Donor
Morris gave Donna Michaels $6,450, the most money one can give directly to a candidate, on Dec. 11, 2019, to launch Michaels’ Yavapai County District 3 supervisor 2020 campaign. Morris is tied as Michaels’ largest single donor.
Michaels did not recuse herself from the vote on Morris’ permit. Instead, Michaels made the motion to approve it.
Michaels did not return numerous requests for comment by press time about her relationship to Morris and the property. Michaels also lives a half-mile north of the property and is both an equestrian and horse owner.
After publication, Michaels wrote,
“The subject property has been approved as a horse boarding and riding facility since 1979. The Use Permit approved for this property was non-transferable and in place until the owner, Elizabeth Gordon, unfortunately passed away and the property is now owned by her trust estate. The Board of Supervisors received a recommendation for approval from our Planning & Zoning Commission, and took action on September 15, 2021, approving a permanent non-transferable Use Permit issued to HMR, LLC. Now the facility can continue providing a great service to the equine community.”
“As a long-time resident of Village of Oak Creek, I see value in continuing services such as this within our rural communities. Additionally, I was very impressed by the amount of support from the community members for this Use Permit application.”
Michaels did not address the campaign donation from Morris, nor her relationship to Morris, nor the property, and has not responded to a follow-up inquiry.
