Commissioners Approve Conditional Use Permit for Equine Veterinary Clinic 'Peak Performance'

Sheridan County commissioners approved Conditional Use Permit CU‑25‑003 on Nov. 4, allowing Peak Performance (an equine veterinary practice) to build and operate in a rural residential district subject to six conditions contained in the staff report.

Mark Reed, the county planner, summarized the application and staff recommendations, saying the proposal includes a new 45‑by‑104‑foot farm clinic, attended parking, horse walking/trotting areas and round pens. Reed told the board the comprehensive plan’s future land‑use map designates the property for limited residential and agricultural uses and that the conditional‑use permit (CUP) process can allow uses not normally permitted in the district with mitigating conditions. "Staff recommended that any approval be built and operate the Equine Veterinary Practice as per the submitted application plans and include six conditions," Reed said, listing requirements for cutoff lighting, limited signage, enclosed waste materials, shared access approvals, a professionally engineered traffic and parking plan, and compliance with the county’s adoption of the International Building Code.

Applicants and multiple members of the local horse community spoke in support. Buck Branaman and Jan Gwen described difficulty finding local equine emergency and specialty care and said a local equine clinic would reduce long hauls for emergency cases. Dr. Rosemary Nicoletta, a named applicant, said the practice is primarily ambulatory with occasional need for an in‑facility stall; she said applicants had no objections to the staff‑recommended conditions.

A motion to approve CU‑25‑003 with the six staff conditions passed by voice vote. Commissioners said the site location — adjacent to agricultural land where the use would be permitted — and the limited, ambulatory nature of the practice weighed in favor of approval.

Why it matters: Local access to specialized equine veterinary services affects animal health, emergency response times and the local horse industry, including performance and rodeo activities that bring customers to Sheridan County.

Details: Staff’s six conditions require: cutoff/low‑glare exterior lighting; limited onsite signage; enclosed or removed waste materials; any shared access approvals be obtained; submission and implementation of a professionally engineered traffic and parking plan with specific improvements installed prior to occupancy; and building code compliance for proposed structures or modifications. Commissioners noted planning and zoning had no final recommendation due to a tie/died motions at their hearing; the board proceeded to a decision after public comment and staff presentation.