Council Rejects Plans for Horse Stables

Council members rejected four proposals last week to build horse stables on 10 undeveloped acres of city-owned land.

The decision brought disappointment to horse owners and trainers, who are struggling to find homes for their animals with the pending closure of Creekside Equestrian Center. The private center, sold in December, housed more than 150 horses. Creekside has given boarders until June 30 to leave.

To help make up for the lost stables, the council agreed to seek proposals from developers for an equestrian center at Camino Capistrano and Junipero Serra, part of a grassy 55-acre area slated to become a public park.

But the submitted proposals sought infrastructure improvements that would have cost the city $100,000 to $300,000. Three of the proposals called for more acreage, which city officials said would have required an amendment to the city’s open space plan.