The Camp Verde Town Council held a public hearing for an agritourism use permit application for a roping arena located off Hardy Lane on Wednesday, June 7.
The property is owned by Trampus and Bonnie Mansker, who moved there in 2021 to have land for their children to practice roping and barrel racing and learn how to raise animals.
The property is currently zoned residential-rural. Mankser has applied for an agritourism use permit to increase his animal count for a private roping arena.
“We have decided to apply for the agritourism permit to allow us to focus on agriculture and Western heritage for the youth and people of the Verde Valley,” Mansker said. “We feel that agriculture and Western heritage impact the youth in a very positive way. We believe that in today’s culture it is a valuable lifestyle that we should provide for the youth, or it will continue to diminish and what we once knew and cared so deeply for will only be a memory. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for members of the community to ride horses, team rope, barrel race and participate in other Western events free of charge.”
The zoning ordinance defines agritourism as “the act of visiting a working farm, ranch, agricultural or horticultural agribusiness operation for the purpose of enjoyment, education or active involvement of visitors to experience a rural lifestyle. Visitors may participate in events and services related to agriculture which may take place on or off the farm or ranch, and that connect consumers with the heritage, natural resource or culinary experience they value.”
The town received a complaint in June 2021 regarding concerns about the number of animals, odor and flies and encouraged Mansker to pursue acquiring the agritourism use permit at that time.
On April 13, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of the agritourism use permit by a 5-2 vote.
During the public hearing by the Town Council, 12 residents spoke in opposition to the permit and another 12 spoke in support.
Some of the speakers brought up the issues of code enforcement and inconsistent enforcement.
Jordy Weaver addressed the importance of facilities like the Manskers’ and said that the town is not supporting its Western heritage if it doesn’t allow this arena and others like it to operate.
Many residents complained about the number of animals and flies, while many others noted the cleanliness of the property and how well the Manksers have maintained it. Some argued for the importance of having a place for the local youth to have an outdoors outlet.
Tanner Bryson, who had faced similar issues when applying for a conditional use permit for his arena at Arena del Loma, stated that the regulation limiting animal count needs to be reviewed.
Mansker said that he was applying for the permit because he could not find common ground with one neighbor. He explained that many urban youths want to participate in events like roping but have no place to do it in metropolitan areas, and he wants to be able to provide a space for everybody. Events at the arena will bring in tourists, who will spend their dollars locally and benefit the local economy.
Mansker is planning to have 15 to 20 full-time animals as well as team roping, calf tying, steer wrestling, farrier and feeding clinics and horse training events as well as the Camp Verde 4-H and Camp Verde FFA livestock workshops.
“I’m really trying to create a place for families and youth,” Mansker said.
The Town Council held a special meeting on Thursday, June 15 to discuss the permit further.
The council also recognized Gayle Mabery’s last night as interim town manager. Barbara Goodrich, a Camp Verde resident and retired city manager, will take over her position until the town finds a permanent manager.
