Village approves Palatine Stables hay barn proposal
Palatine Stables has gained village council approval to build a hay barn to address operational issues and safety concerns.
Village council members Monday night approved a variance that will allow construction of the 6,000-square-foot barn at the Palatine Park District facility. The stables complex is near Northwest Highway and Dundee Road.
Hay no longer would be stored near where district-owned horses and ponies are stabled if the barn is built. The much larger proposed structure is expected to accommodate up to 12,000 bales of hay.
Superintendent of Facilities Steven Nagle said the proximity of the hay to the horses can cause potential health problems for the animals due to its dust.
Nagle said a preliminary estimate indicates the barn construction and related work at the stables could cost $250,000. He said bids will be solicited for the project, with the potential for it going before the park board for approval in October.
If built, the hay barn would address daily operational issues and safety concerns at the stables, Nagle said. Moving the feed to a stand-alone structure would provide more space for riding lessons in the arena.
At Monday's meeting, Palatine Councilman Tim Millar asked about the potential sightline of the hay barn from Northwest Highway and whether there would be any screening of the structure.
"It's not the most attractive building, obviously," Millar said.
Deputy Village Manager Michael Jacobs said the view of the barn should be limited off Northwest Highway due to the topography of the stables site.
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.
When constructed, the 6,000-square-foot hay barn will 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.
Built by a private owner in the 1950s, Palatine Stables was acquired by the park district in 1989.