Pahrump planning panel approves conditional use permit for commercial stable with 15-horse cap

The Pahrump Regional Planning Commission on Sept. 10 approved a conditional use permit allowing a commercial stable to operate on a 4.4-acre parcel, with a special condition that the number of boarded horses shall not exceed 15 at any time.

Staff told commissioners the permit application was submitted to resolve a prior code compliance case and that, after review, staff recommended approval with several conditions. The staff report singled out special condition 14, which states “the number of boarded horses shall not exceed 15 at any time,” excluding horses personally owned by the property owner and operator when those animals are otherwise compliant with regulations.

Applicant Caitlin Bush, who identified herself as the owner of XVX Performance Horses, described the operation as a family-run boarding and training facility and said she has provided support letters and documentation with her application. “My goal is to provide local horse owners with a facility that offers excellent care, proper amenities, and a supportive environment for equine activities,” Bush said during the hearing.

Multiple residents and business owners spoke in support. Tina Bond Kuglin and Beth Borisovich told the commission the facility is run responsibly and urged approval. A neighbor, Betty Petaros, described the applicant as a “good neighbor” and said she had observed appropriate care and upkeep at the property.

Christy Sigmund of Nye County Animal Services explained to commissioners that animal services inspects facilities and issues kennel permits and that the department provides recommendations on numbers and operations. “When we make a recommendation we will make sure that that is a pretty secure and solid number,” Sigmund said, adding that animal services will consult other technical experts if a particular species or facility presents questions outside their expertise.

Commissioners asked whether the numeric limit in condition 14 came from animal services and how inspections and permit compliance would be enforced. Staff replied that the Planning Department requests input from animal services, fire, sheriff and other agencies during application review and that code enforcement will follow up on complaints and coordinate inspections with animal services.

After accepting additional support letters submitted by the applicant into the record, the commission voted to approve CU 25-22 based on the staff findings and subject to the conditions in the staff report. The permit is final action by the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission unless appealed to the Nye County Board of County Commissioners.

Copies of the staff report and the permit’s full conditions are part of the public record; condition 14 (the 15-horse limit for boarded animals) was recorded in the staff backup provided to the commission.

The applicant said she has read the conditions and agreed to comply. Staff and animal services said they will continue inspections and follow-up if complaints arise.

Votes at the commission were recorded in the meeting transcript as a voice/roll-call vote; the chair announced the motion passed. The permit will be subject to county code compliance inspections and any applicable county, state and federal requirements noted in the conditions of approval.

The commission did not change county code or create a numeric rule applicable to other facilities — the 15-horse limit is a condition specific to this conditional use permit and the record shows it was established with input from animal services.

The chair closed the item after the motion carried; appeals information and the permit conditions are available in the Planning Department file for CU 25-22.