Jurupa Valley planning commission continues hearing on amended equestrian-trail requirement at Limonite shopping center

The Jurupa Valley Planning Commission continued a public hearing to April 9 after extended debate over a developer’s request to amend a 2016 condition of approval requiring an equestrian trail and related facilities at a five‑acre shopping center on Limonite Avenue.

Senior planner Reynaldo Aquino told the commission the applicant sought to remove the originally required trail west of Building C because construction had already been completed and the site could not accommodate the trail without “major modifications” to a retaining wall and building foundations. Aquino said the applicant and staff negotiated a revised layout that would place an 8‑foot‑wide equestrian trail roughly 300 feet long to the east side of Building D, add a 1,000‑square‑foot corral intended for five horses, and replace existing hitching posts with 21 bicycle stalls to offset the removal of seven vehicle parking spaces.

The matter drew sustained comment from commissioners, equestrian advocates and the applicant about safety and visibility for riders. Commissioner (name not specified in the transcript) raised material and safety concerns about the proposed corral, saying the proposed plastic materials could be too weak for horses. Equestrian resident Robert Ramirez, who identified himself as an owner of 32 horses, urged stronger metal fixtures and said existing hitching posts “should stay where they’re at” but be upgraded. Contractor David Donschmeid, who said he is under contract to build a Rodeo Cafe in Building C, requested a speedy resolution so tenants can complete tenant improvements.

The Planning Commission debated several changes staff and the public requested: making the property owner explicitly responsible for maintenance; specifying a decomposed‑granite (DG) or similar surface for the trail; requiring a stronger metal corral/fencing instead of HDPE/plastic; preserving or relocating visible hitching posts so horse owners can see animals from adjacent businesses; and, if possible, adding 3‑rail safety fencing along Limonite and Felspar where right‑of‑way allows. Aquino said the revised condition would require Community Development Department review and approval of trail and corral designs and that any landscaping removed for the trail must be replaced elsewhere on the shopping center.

The applicant’s representative said the developer is willing to work with staff and commissioners and to consider relocating the corral closer to the center of the site (the area identified on the staff site plan near the white reference vehicle) and to change the corral material to metal if engineering and site constraints allow. The applicant noted removing the original retaining wall and building revisions would cost “in excess of $400,000,” and that unresolved delays were affecting prospective tenants. The applicant asked for a timely resolution so leases and tenant improvements could proceed.

City staff and the applicant agreed to an expedited schedule; Community Development staff said they would work with the applicant and aimed to return to the commission within “a month or 2.” Planning staff recommended the commission continue the public hearing to allow engineering and parking/circulation issues to be resolved and to receive revised site plans showing any relocated corral, revised hitching‑post locations, details of corral materials and fencing, and a maintenance plan specifying the property owner’s responsibilities.

After discussion the commission voted to continue the public hearing to the April 9 meeting; the motion carried 4‑0 with one commissioner absent. The continuance will allow staff and the applicant to return with revised plans and the detailed conditions the commission requested.

The item affects the city’s equestrian community, nearby residents and prospective tenants for the shopping center; the commission asked staff to try to expedite the changes while ensuring horse and rider safety and preserving required parking and circulation standards.

The Planning Commission’s public hearing is set to resume April 9; staff will present revised plans and recommended amended conditions at that meeting.