Technically outside of city limits, the Derby Planning commission considered a conditional use for a horse riding academy and stable in its area of influence in Sedgwick County – located at 9217 S. Greenwich Rd. – during its April 17 meeting.
Owned by Vicki Decarsky, the Twin Creek Trails equestrian facility has been operating privately since it opened at the location in 2022. With the conditional use request, the idea is to open up the stable and facility (which also has an indoor and outdoor arena) for lessons as well as competitive events – open to the public – on the property.
A conditional use application was submitted to the Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD) as the current rural residential zoning does not allow for riding academies and stables, with the city having to consider it as well with the property falling in Derby’s urban area of influence.
Speaking on behalf of Decarsky, Greg Ferris of Ferris Consulting noted they were in agreement with the staff report but simply requested additional hours of operation (until midnight) on Fridays and Saturdays – primarily for summer events. With five to six events planned a year, Ferris expected the impact to be minimal on the neighborhood and City Planner Scott Knebel noted such hours are fairly standard.
“I think it’s very common to have a couple hours on Friday and Saturday night for all kinds of conditional uses,” Knebel said.
During a public hearing, neighboring property owner Kathy Massey was the only other individual to speak.
Massey shared some concerns and a request to address light pollution from the stable/riding academy, but overall had no objections to the facility’s operation.
“We appreciate having a facility like that for riders who want training and [that] has activities,” Massey said.
In agreement with the staff findings of fact, and noting that the applicant had already made significant investments, the commission recommended approval of the conditional use application (7-0) while taking into consideration the allowance of additional weekend hours and action on light pollution. The item will now go to the MAPD for further consideration at its April 24 meeting.
