Public Input Sought by Friday on Scope of Tiered Equine Ordinance EIR

The public has until Friday to offer input on the potential scope of an environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed Tiered Equine Ordinance in San Diego County.

The ordinance would create a tiered system of permitting commercial horse stables, by amending the County Zoning Ordinance. It would contain definitions of the words "animal enclosure," "barn," etc, as well as a Zoning Verification Permit—a new permit—with a checklist of clearances for permit approval at the zoning counter.

First tier: 10 horses per acre up to a maximum of 50 horses on 5 acres of usable area allowed with a Zoning Verification Permit.
Second tier: 10 horses per acre, from more than 50 horses on 5 acres of usable area up to a maximum of 100 horses on 10 acres of usable area allowed with an Administrative (AD) Permit.
Third tier: more than 100 horses or more than 10 acres of usable area allowed with a Major Use Permit (MUP).

The ordinance would address issues such as parking, signage, fencing and turn around for large horse trailers.

The Initial Study of the proposed ordinance, published in January per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), is attached as a PDF to this article, and is printable. Or, you may click here to see it on the County website.

The County project manager has determined that the ordinance could have a significant effect on the environment. An EIR will proceed, as directed by the Board of Supervisors. Comments are invited regarding the potential environmental impacts of the project, to help frame what the EIR will analyze. The County, pursuant to CEQA, is required to allow the public a chance to comment on their potential concerns about possible environmental impacts.

Carl Stiehl is the project manager. Comments can be mailed to: Department of Planning and Land Use (DPLU), attn: Carl Stiehl, Project Processing Counter, 5201 Ruffin Road, Suite B, San Diego, Ca. 92123

Or the public can e-mail Carl.Stiehl@sdcounty.ca.gov .