Palatine Stables' plan for hay barn gets endorsement from advisory board
An advisory Palatine panel has given a thumbs-up to the village park district's proposal to construct a hay barn at its equestrian facility, which proponents say would provide benefits such as having more feed available for horses on the property.
Under the plan, the 6,000-square-foot hay building would be built at Palatine Stables. The Palatine Park District facility is near Northwest Highway and Dundee Road.
Appearing before the Palatine zoning board of appeals this week, Superintendent of Facilities Steven Nagle said the hay barn would address daily operational issues and safety concerns at the stables. He said more room would be gained for riding lessons in the arena with the feed in a stand-alone structure.
With a much larger space to keep the hay, Nagle said, the district could take advantage of ordering more in bulk when prices are favorable. The barn is expected to accommodate up to 12,000 bales of hay.
Hay no longer would be stored near where district-owned horses and ponies are stabled if the barn is built. Nagle said the proximity of the hay to the horses can cause problems for the animals.
"It represents a health issue to them," he said. "There can be some reaction to some of the dust that the hay creates."
Zoning board of appeals members voted 6-0 in favor of granting a variance that would allow the barn construction. The recommendation is to go before the village council for final consideration Aug. 5.
"I felt there was no reason not to approve (the hay building) when I look at the standards," zoning board of appeals member John Pirog said. "I feel that they're meeting the standards. There's no homes around there. I don't see anyone who would object to it. They own the property next to it. It seems like a reasonable request."
Palatine Stables has about 30 privately owned horses boarded there, away from the district-owned animals. The 25 horses and nine ponies owned by the park district are used for riding lessons.
If built, the 6,000-square-foot hay shed would add to a Palatine Stables complex that has a main building and lower barn. The equestrian facility, which specializes in hunters and jumpers, draws visitors for lessons, horse shows, boarding, summer camps, training, pony parties and an annual fall festival.
Constructed by a private owner in the 1950s, Palatine Stables was acquired by the park district in 1989.