Supervisors unanimously approve special use permit
ARTICLE UPDATED MARCH 28:
Page Valley News would like to clarify that while IBR Corp. is the property owner, and therefore the applicant named on the special use permit — the riding stables and equine boarding will be operated by Madeline Farms LLC under the new DBA (doing business as) Rocking T Ranch.
“They’re not involved in the project, the horses, or the programming. We’re simply tenants — they don’t oversee or participate in what we’re building,” said Tony Villa of both IBR and Madeline Farms.
“Rocking T Ranch is a collaboration between Madeline Farms and Dylan Taylor Knauf, who is not only my partner in this, but a true cowboy at heart,” Villa continued. “He’ll be leading day-to-day operations and shaping the direction of the ranch — especially when it comes to the therapeutic and community-focused programming. Dylan is the real deal, and he brings an authenticity and depth of experience that’s rare.”
While Rocking T Ranch will offer public trail rides, horse boarding, and “unique hands-on horse experiences,” it will primarily focus on equine-assisted therapy.
“We’re focused on supporting veterans with PTSD, children with special needs, and others facing mental health challenges,” Villa said. “We’re already partnering with local therapists and psychologists to create a space where nature, connection, and healing intersect.”
Rocking T Ranch will not operate at Madeline farms, but rather at the ranch adjacent to Carriagestone farm located at 2948 Oak Forest Ln.
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By Randy Arrington
LURAY, March 17 — During its March regular meeting, the Page County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special use permit application submitted by Isaac George III of the IBR Corporation to operate riding stables/academies at Madeline Farms.
The property sits between Luray and Stanley, contains nearly 37 acres, and is zoned for agricultural use. IBR plans to use existing horse stables at Madeline Farms, including a 3,000-square-foot structure and two shelters of about 100 square feet each. The applicant plans to offer horse training, trail riding, boarding, and grooming.
Parking for the new agri-business will be offered at the end of Oak Forest Lane. VDOT Land Development Engineer Jeff Nicely seemed to have no issues with the project.
“The proposed use is not expected to have a negative impact to state Route 644 [Oak Forrest Lane] and adjacent state Route 616 [Leakesville Road],” Nicely’s report states. “The entrance from the site to the state route meets the required VDOT low volume commercial entrance standard based on expected traffic generation with no additional improvements required.”
Riding trails outlined on a site map show multiple options for both open field and wooded trail rides throughout the property. Riding stables require a special use permit in Page County’s agricultural zoning districts. There were no issues raised regarding the application by either the Health Department or the county building official.
Since the property sits in an “Agricultural Protection Tier” within Page County — per the county’s comprehensive plan — the proposed riding stables fall well within the guidelines that aim “[t]o protect (to keep from being damaged or lost) agricultural uses and preserve the rural lifestyle and sense of community that has long defined Page County…This tier is intended primarily for very low-density residential development, large lot rural development and agricultural uses. Non-residential uses would serve the needs of residents in the surrounding rural areas and generally be limited to agriculture-related businesses.”
Staff first introduced the application for the riding stables to the Page County Planning Commission on Nov. 12, 2024. Members “expressed some concerns for parking, scope of activities, and future expansion. The
applicant addressed these concerns in a subsequent meeting with a document that included a waste
disposal plan and scope of activities, which the Planning Commission reviewed,” stated a staff report to the supervisors on March 17.
The Planning Commission’s public hearing on Jan. 14 drew no speakers, and after discussion, the commission unanimously voted to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.
The applicant will be required to maintain a Page County business license. The permit is transferable and will remain with the property for a period of 40 years.
For more information on Page County government,
visit https://www.pagecounty.virginia.gov/
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What about IBR renovating Brown’s like they promised when the town sold them the building for cheap? IBR obviously has plenty of money of they can open up horse stables.
Or just give back the building to the town so someone else can fix it up.
This article was UPDATED on March 28 to reflect a clarification and additional information about ownership and operations.
Appreciate the update but it’s all the same people connected to IBR. I’m glad they’re in the county and do a lot to save local farms. But fix up the building the town gave you. IBR can’t cry poverty. Do what you said you’d do or give it back.
Hey folks! I know it might seem quiet at Browns but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes—environmental testing, impact studies, structural engineering, architectural consultancy, permits, and bids. With the economy being uncertain and new tariffs, material pricing from contractors has slowed or stopped for now.. We’re being methodical and not cutting corners, which also takes time. With all of this, the project will no doubt take years to complete, with at least a couple years of design and planning still ahead. We know everyone’s excited to see construction—and trust me, we are too! Thanks so much for the continued support and patience.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”