The following is response to Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky regarding Santa Monica Mountains Grading and Ridgeline Ordinance.
If this ordinance is so wonderful, why is it that horse people are opposed to it? Could it be that corrals and barns require areas greater than 15,000 square feet? Could it be that even a small arena is over the 15,000 square feet?
This ordinance has everything to do with equestrian uses. It is erroneous to state that “the ordinance has nothing whatsoever to do with equestrian or other uses.” That statement is reminiscent of Zev’s prior commissioner regarding the proposed RR-L ordinance, “This has nothing to do with horses, so go home to your families.” That was not true and Zev withdrew that ordinance. Now the same restrictions appear back again with a new name.
While the CUP application fee is $4,478, that does not include required reports, inspections, surveys, inventories, studies, plans and other fees, all of which the advertisement failed to mention. It is interesting that our supervisor is pushing for the ordinance before the planning commission has heard the testimony. If the ordinance is so great, why does it also need a push from CPO with a full-page ad? Why should testimony and support of cities and organizations whose residents are not wholly within the unincorporated area mean so much to the commission? Just residents of the unincorporated area in question should be the ones whose opinions matter, since they are the ones who will be living with it. Or is it that old attitude of big brother saying, “We’ll decide what’s best for you?” Do some of the very people supporting this ordinance realize that their present homes could not have been built without a CUP if this ordinance was in effect back then? This ordinance is flat out anti-horse, imposing a severe financial hardship on average people wanting equestrian facilities. If this ordinance passes, facilities can still be built, but only by those who can afford the exorbitant CUP. So, the middle class equestrian becomes disenfranchised. I hope Zev remedies this problem by recommending staff return to the drawing board and figure out how to not impact the cultural and historical heritage of the Santa Monica Mountains – the horses.
Ruth Gerson
President, Recreation and Equestrian Coalition