Proposed Equine Facility Prompts Concerns

Although the more rural parts of Wildwood certainly are horse country, a newly proposed equine operation prompted some Wildwood residents to speak in opposition of it at Monday's city council meeting.

Wildwood's Planning and Zoning Commission members recommended granting a conditional use permit within a non-urban residence for a 5.6 acre tract of land that is located on the west side of Allenton Road, south of Melrose Road. The exact address is 3535 Allenton Rd.

Christina Johnson, of Ballwin, plans to building a horse boarding and riding school facility on the property. She will reside on the property as well.

The request appeared on the agenda for the city council meeting Monday evening at Wildwood city hall as a receive and file item, which means city council members have up to 15 days from that night to review the action taken by the Commission. If council members do not exercise their "power of review," the requested conditional use permit becomes effective, said Wildwood Director of Planning and Parks Joe Vujnich.

The facility received a positive recommendation from Planning and Zoning Commissioners at their Aug. 15 meeting with a 9-1 vote. They placed a number of requirements on Johnson Horse Solutions, LLC, however, such as restricting the number of horses that can board, the number of lessons that can be conducted there, and its hours of operation.

During the public comment portion of Monday's meeting, Wildwood resident Cassie Eckhardt said her family could see stars and enjoy their natural setting when they moved to Wildwood. She's now afraid her view and ambiance will be tarnished. As a neighbor of this proposed equine facility, Eckhardt said she envisioned two problems with the new business:  increased traffic on an already dangerous road and water runoff issues.

"Drivers whip around there, and have gone through our fence," she said. "There also isn't any place to park, including for the police so that they could even analyze the situation."

Across from this location is Greensfelder County Park.

Additionally, Eckhardt said she only received her notification card of Monday's evening meeting from the city in that day's mail. "One neighbor got her notification on the 7, and one didn't get hers at all. I wish I would have known this was happening."

Another neighbor of the property in question, Tom McGrath, said he had been informed the Johnson Horse Solutions project had been shelved. "Then I heard it was in the last stage of approval this week, he said.

"I'd like to maintain a good relationship with Ms. Johnson, but I'd also like to know more about the riding arena," said McGrath. "Should the barn extend a certain way, it will severly impact my property value. I was told this (Wildwood) is horse country, but it is not barn country."

The property presently has a seven-stall barn on it. Johnson would like to add three new stalls to it. New construction would include both an indoor arena of 9,600 square feet and outdoor arena of 3,200 square feet.

McGrath said he was the second generation to own his family's Wildwood property.

"I think Chris knew the hoops she would have to go through, and that after some legal wrangling, she would get her way. But the powers that be don't have to live there!"