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Planning commission approves small lodging and equine sanctuary, tables nearby BESS application
Summary
The commission approved a guest‑lodging special use near Wilcox and an equine sanctuary in Hereford, and tabled a nearby Babakumari BESS item to August 12. Staff recommended conditions for each approval; votes were unanimous on guest lodging and voice‑approved for the equine sanctuary.
The Cochise County Planning & Zoning Commission advanced several smaller items on the agenda: it approved a guest‑lodging special use near Wilcox (SU26‑08), approved a privately operated equine sanctuary on Renegade Trail (SU26‑10), and agreed to table the Babakumari North battery energy storage docket (SU26‑11) to August 12 at the applicant’s request.
For SU26‑08 (Bear Track Trail), staff recommended approval with conditions including a landscaping and site management plan, limits of five tiny homes and three RV spaces, quiet hours (10 p.m.–6 a.m.), dust control and minimal lighting; commissioners voted unanimously to approve. Applicant Paul Gaisley described a low‑impact retreat focused on water conservation and dark‑sky practices.
For SU26‑10 (Renegade Trail Equine Sanctuary), Crystal Reek and her husband described a privately operated nonprofit sanctuary for senior and special‑needs draft horses; staff recommended approval with conditions (no more than eight equines, sanitary maintenance, no on‑site customers). The commission approved the special use by voice vote.
Docket SU26‑11 (Babakumari North BESS) was requested to be tabled by the applicant and the commission moved the item to the August 12 meeting.
What happens next: applicants must comply with the stated conditions during permitting and operations; neighbors retain appeal rights to the Board of Supervisors for any of these actions.
