Commissioners approve Starlings Colorado equestrian center and agricultural worker ADU with conditions limiting events, lighting and amplified sound

Boulder County commissioners on April 1 conditionally approved a large equestrian and agricultural proposal by Starlings Colorado LLC (docket LU‑24‑0017/SPR‑24‑0081) on a 68‑acre owned‑ag parcel east of North 70 3/4 Road. The approval permits multiple agricultural and equestrian structures, accessory housing for agricultural workers, and non‑foundational grading for riding arenas and horse‑safety improvements, subject to staff conditions.

Staff described the project as an equestrian center and agricultural operation with several existing and proposed structures totaling more than 25,000 square feet of floor area; the parcel includes valley and riparian features, landslide susceptibility areas and sections of habitat noted in the comprehensive plan. Staff recommended approval provided the board deny a proposed large earthen berm (about 839 cubic yards) that staff found excessive, require tree retention along the northern property line for visual screening, require a lighting plan that limits exterior fixtures and require documentation of ditch‑company approval where relevant. Staff also recommended conditions appropriate to agricultural worker accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and observation reporting for earthwork.

Applicants presented the proposal as an educational equestrian facility focused on training and animal care rather than public competitive events. Consultants and applicants said they expect roughly 20–25 horses in total, varying levels of staff and visitors for lessons and training, and hay and equipment storage. The applicants agreed to the removal of the berm and to plantings for screening; they also pledged dark‑sky‑compliant, downward‑facing exterior lighting and no arena floodlighting. During public comment a nearby resident asked the applicants to consider adjusting the driveway location to reduce a blind‑hill safety concern; applicants said relocating the driveway would require additional disturbance and suggested instead removing vegetation in the public right‑of‑way and dedicating right‑of‑way to allow future widening.

After discussion the board approved the application with the conditions in staff’s recommendation and an additional explicit condition stating that competitive events, outdoor lighted riding/driving/showing and amplified music are not approved as part of this application. Commissioners said the conditions are intended to align the approval with agricultural uses and the limited‑impact review standards.