PCRES 1993-002PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 93-002
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA
RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO
AMEND CHAPTER 9.117 TITLED "OVERLAY
ZONE FOR EQUESTRIAN USES ON SMALLER
LOTS" IN THE ZONING CHAPTER OF THE LA
QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE
CASE NO. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 92-029
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La
Quinta, California, did, on the 12th and 26th days of January,
1993, hold a duly -noticed Public Hearing to recommend to the
City Council the amendments to Chapter 9 regulating the keeping
of horses within specific areas of the City; and,
WHEREAS, said Zoning Amendment has complied with
the requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California
Environmental Quality Act of 1970" in that the Planning
Director has determined that the Zoning Amendment will not have
a significant adverse impact on the environment and a Negative
Declaration of Environmental Impact is recommended; and,
WHEREAS, upon hearing and considering all testimony and
arguments, if any, of all interested persons desiring to be
heard, said Commission did find the following facts and reasons
to justify the recommendation for approval of said Text
Amendment:
1. The proposed amendment to the Overlay Zone for Equestrian
Uses on Smaller Lots are generally compatible with the
goals and policies contained in the La Quinta General
Plan.
2. That the proposed amendments will not significantly
impact the environment.
3. That any environmental impacts resulting from the
adoption of said amendment will be mitigated by existing
measures to a level of insignificance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning
Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct and
constitute the findings of the Council in this case;
2. That it does hereby confirm and certify the conclusion of
Environmental Assessment No. 92-243 that the proposed
Text Amendment will not result in any significant advise
effects and that a Negative Declaration should be adopted;
RESOPC.049/CS -1-
3. That it does hereby recommend approval to the City
Council of the above described Zoning Ordinance Amendment
for the reasons set forth in this Resolution and as
illustrated in Exhibit "A" attached hereto.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting
of the La Quinta Planning Commission held on this 26th day of
January, 1993, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Commissioners Mosher, Ellson, Marrs, Adolph and
Chairperson Barrows
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
rzz't—
KATIE BARROWS, Chairperson
City of La Quinta, California
ATTEST:
i
JERRY RMAN, Planning Director
!City o La Quinta, California
RFSnPC.049/CS -2-
CHAPTER 9.117 - OVERLAY ZONE
FOR
EQUESTRIAN USES ON SMALLER LOTS
9.117.005
Purpose
9.117.010
Where Permitted
9.117.020
Permitted Uses
9.117.030
Prohibition
9.117.040
Development Standards
9.117.050
Review/Approval Process
9.117.005. PURPOSE: The Equestrian Overlay District is intended to permit the keeping
of horses (stabling and riding) for personal recreational pleasure of City residents, on lots not
smaller than one (1) acre.
9.117.010. WHERE PERMITTED: Whenever it is placed on the official Zoning Map, the
designation "Equestrian Overlay District" shall be indicated after the zoning designation of the
area over which it is placed, and the regulations of said "Equestrian Overlay Zone" shall apply
in addition to the regulations of the principal zoning designation of the area to which it is
applied. Whenever a use is permitted in said "Equestrian Overlay Zone", said use shall be
permitted in addition to the uses otherwise allowed in the zoning designation over which it is
placed.
9.117.020. PERMITTED USES: Uses permitted in the "Equestrian Overlay Zone" shall be
as follows:
A. Any use permitted in the underlying zone.
B. The keeping of horses, (including ponies or llamas) for personal uses as well as breeding,
the boarding of horses for the purpose of breeding, training, riding lessons, or boarders
personal pleasure. Up to two horses shall be allowed on a minimum one acre parcel.
For each subsequent acre, up to five horses per acre shall be allowed. Foals under one
(1) year of age shall not be counted in the maximum number of horses permitted.
C. Accessory buildings and uses; including stables, corrals, barns, tack rooms, hay barns,
and other buildings and uses customarily appurtenant to the permitted use.
DOCLB.003 1
D. Farm projects (Future Farms, 4-H or similar projects) conducted by the occupants of the
premises. Such projects shall involve only the permitted type and number of animals by
this ordinance being trained in connection with the education of a person as a member
of a recognized farm education organization.
E. Caretakers and employee housing for on -site employment, providing that the unit does
not exceed 1,000 square feet and the second unit observes the setbacks in the underlying
zone.
9.117.030, PROHIBITION: A person shall not keep or maintain any of the following
animals:
A. Pigs, swine, and other omnivorous hoofed animals.
B. Any unaltered male horse (stallion) over the age of two years, unless the property owner
submits to the Planning and Development Department a letter from a qualified
veterinarian certifying that:
1. The veterinarian has inspected the stable enclosure that will house the horse; and,
2. That the enclosure fencing is of adequate height and strength so as to securely
confine the horse; and,
3. That the property size is large enough to provide ample stabling and exercise
room for the stallion.
C. Cattle or bovine animals.
9.117.040. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS:
A. Accessory structures, including barns shall be limited to two stories in height and a
maximum of thirty-five feet, measured from the pad elevation.
B. Stalls, barns, corrals, and the storage (temporary) of manure shall be 20-feet from any
property line.
C. Pasture areas shall consist of fences at least four feet high and of such construction as
to confine the animals. Corral fences which are on boundary lines or are adjoining and
running parallel to private streets or bridle trails, shall be three -rail, with a minimum
height of four (4) feet from grade, and with posts spaced not more than ten (10) feet
apart. All posts shall be 4" X 6" minimum with 2" X 6" minimum rails.
DOCLB.003 2
Fencing requirements of this section supersede requirements found in Chapter 9.204
(Walls, Fences, and Landscaping) and Chapter 9.32 (R-1 Development Standards) for
properties keeping horses within the Equestrian Overlay Zone.
D. The pasture and stable areas shall be regularly sprinklered or otherwise treated to a
degree so as to prevent the emanation of dust, and in addition, all accumulation of
manure, mud, or refuse shall be eliminated so as to prevent the breeding of flies. Open
stable/pasture areas shall be subject to the requirements of Title 13, Chapter 13.52
(Fugitive Dust Control) whenever applicable.
E. Removal of manure must occur on a regular basis so as to promote the health, safety,
and welfare of residents and visitors to the area by one of the following methods:
1. Stalls: Must be cleaned on a daily basis. Manure is to be placed within an
enclosed container, e.g. three yard bin, expressly for this purpose, and setback
a minimum of 20 feet from any perimeter property line and shall be removed
from the property within seven (7) days; or taken to an area on the property that
is dragged, mixed and watered with the soil on a weekly basis.
2. Pastures: Must have manure removed or dragged, mixed and watered with the
soil on a weekly basis.
3. Any condition that results in odors, unsightly areas or infestation shall be deemed
a public nuisance and/or health hazard and shall be abated within seven (7) days
of proper notice. All violations are subject to enforcement provisions of Chapter
9.236 of the Municipal Code, and County Health Codes.
F. Horses shall be maintained in a fenced corral area containing at least eight hundred (800)
square feet for the first horse, and for each additional horse beyond one (1), an additional
three hundred (300) square feet of total corral area shall be provided.
9.117.050. REVIEW/APPROVAL PROCESS:
A. Accessory buildings, detached or attached, including employee houses, barns, tack
rooms, hay barns, and similar buildings.
1. Up to 400 square feet for each structure to be reviewed by plot plan for approval
by the Planning and Development Department.
2. Over 401 square feet to be reviewed by plot plan, by the Planning Commission.
B. All other permitted buildings are subject to the process identified in the underlying zone.
C. For any changes made to the Equestrian Overlay Zone District, the requirements of
Chapter 9.228 of the Municipal Code shall be met.
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