Kids and adults can continue barrel racing, pole bending and other horse-riding maneuvers in Athol next summer, as the Kootenai County commissioners voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a permit for a private recreational facility that has already been operating for years.

Commissioner Dan Green said it is an obvious fit for Athol resident Deborah Patrick to use her outdoor riding arena on Caribou Road for community roping and riding events, largely hosted by nonprofit Play a Day in Athol.

"That seems as consistent with rural use as there is," Green said at the officials' deliberations at the county Administration Building.

The difficulties for the commissioners were in setting conditions for arena events. The county had deemed the facility required a permit earlier this year, after Patrick was given a code violation for allowing competitive activities and camping without one.

The commissioners noted neighborhood comments about noise and traffic impacts on road quality. Issues could be enhanced, they noted, if event attendance escalated from 40 to 150, which Patrick has acknowledged is possible.

"When I read neighbors' remarks, they seem really focused on the road," said Commissioner Jai Nelson.

The three officials agreed to limit events to 150 people, and/or 40 vehicles.

Neighbors could potentially "snap a picture" of overflow if there is a violation, Green said.

The commissioners also added conditions that the facility can host only 17 daylong events a year, with quiet time required between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Commercial trash removal will also be required, and one Porta-Potty provided for each event, with an additional one for every 50 people.

"I wish people asked for permits ahead of time," Green said. "To retrofit is tough."

The arena is located on Patrick's 10-acre parcel.

Patrick, who missed the deliberations because of a conflicting appointment, said that others in her situation might not have had the patience to go through the costs and hearings of the permit process.

It was worth it, she said, to provide a free arena for local riders.

"I didn't realize it affected so many people," Patrick said, adding that many neighbors and riders have approached her about the situation. "I'm so glad I followed this through."

Julie Maguire, president of Play a Day in Athol that relies on Patrick's facility as its only outdoor arena, said she was thrilled with the commissioners' decision.

"It means we can continue to get to do what we've been doing, helping kids in the community," said Maguire, who also hadn't attended the commissioners' deliberations.

She doesn't expect the riding events to trouble neighbors, she added.

"We've been doing play days there for four years," she said. "We haven't had any personal complaints come to us."

The commissioners also held a public hearing Thursday morning over a request to rezone 28 acres north of Garwood Road and east of Highway 95 from rural to light industrial.

John Kearns of Coeur d'Alene requested the change so the property would be consistent with nearby industrial uses, he said.

The businessman eventually hopes to provide infrastructure there for some kind of commercial venture, he added, though he won't act on that plan until the economy starts to recover.

"I want to step forward as a private investor and bolster the county's economy," said Kearns, proposing the project through Hayden North, LLC. "Why not open that door?"

The commissioners resisted the idea, noting that the county is in the midst of changing all of its zoning and development regulations.

"Are you aware this could all be rezoned in the next 12 months?" Green pointed out. "There's no guarantee this is going to stay rural."

Commissioner Todd Tondee also said he isn't sure the zone change would be compatible with the Comprehensive Plan, which designates the area as suburban.

Because the county hearing examiner had recommended approving the rezone, the commissioners voted to hold another public hearing at a later date, in the context that they are leaning toward rejecting the request.

Green noted that Kearns has other options outside a zone change, like seeking a conditional use permit for a particular project.

"We're not trying to stymie free enterprise," Green said.