News

Horse Shoe Farm seeks to add residential lots

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 17, 2026

The Horse Shoe Farm lodging, spa and restaurant development on South Rugby Road is seeking Henderson County’s permission to add more residential lots, an administration building and reconfigured internal roads to add a third entrance.

Horse Shoe Farm owner John Turchin has asked for an amendment to a previously approved master plan to make the changes. A new piece of the property proposed to be rezoned to the conditional zoning district contains nine residential lots, five of which currently contain single-family structures.

A master plan the county authorized in 2020 allows 36 residential units, seven RV or horse trailer spaces, 57 acres of open space — 70 percent of the land — two entrances off South Rugby Road, common areas and amenities, dining and kitchen space, barbecue area, clubhouse, spa/equestrian barn with five guest rooms, yoga studio and event building, riding ring, rental cottage with 10 units and pool.

During a neighborhood compatibility meeting on Feb. 5, homeowners raised several questions about the amended plan. The developer or county planners said:

• Users of RV sites would not be allowed to drive in or out on Nelson Road.
• There are no plans to pave the gravel part of the road, which is not maintained by NCDOT.
• Improvements to the paved segment of Nelson Road are the responsibility of the NCDOT.
• Tree cutting along the road was Hurricane Helene cleanup work by Horse Shoe Farm crews.
• A proposed condition of the master plan update would bar delivery trucks and commercial vehicles from accessing the Horse Shoe Farm development via Nelson Road.

The Henderson County Planning Board is scheduled to take up the rezoning request during its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the county building at 100 N. King St.