ARB approves Ausley Hay & Feed elevations for Farniente Stables site

The Village of Wellington Architectural Review Board on Jan. 28 approved exterior elevations for a proposed Ausley Hay & Feed store on a 10.11-acre portion of the Farniente Stables property.

Staff explained the request (petition 2025-0023-ARB) is part of a cleanup of earlier entitlements tied to a 2007 approval for a showgrounds facility. Kelly (staff) said the land-use designation is equestrian commercial rec while the zoning remained equestrian residential; because the land-use designation supersedes zoning where conflicts exist, staff concluded a hay-and-feed store is compatible with the land use and recommended approval of the elevations and materials.

Architect Walter Hyde, representing the applicant, described a proposed 14,000-square-foot structure (about 9,000 square feet of prefab metal storage fronted by just under 5,000 square feet of masonry with a small retail area). Hyde said the design uses stucco, stone veneer, timber accents and a metal roof to achieve an equestrian southern-farmhouse look that fits the surrounding context: “We do feel that this building fits within the context and meets the regulations and abides by the policies of the comprehensive plan,” Hyde said.

Board members asked whether approving elevations before related rezoning and comprehensive plan amendments could create conflict. Staff explained the sequence of entitlements still requires site-plan and building-permit approvals, and that ARB approval of elevations does not remove other necessary approvals by Planning & Zoning or council.

A motion to approve petition 2025-0023-ARB with the staff conditions carried with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The approval was limited to the elevations and materials presented; remaining entitlements (site plan, rezoning and permits) must still be obtained before construction proceeds.