Staff recommends approval for Boomen Ranch equestrian project at 3465 Boomen Road; neighbors raise fire and drainage concerns

City staff recommended approval at Tuesday’s zoning administrative hearing of permits for a private equestrian facility on a 4.98-acre lot at 3465 Boomen Road in the Olivenhain community, while acknowledging neighbor concerns about fire evacuation, road access and drainage.

Takuma, a Development Services staff member presenting the proposal, described the project as including a 583-square-foot addition to the existing single-family residence, a detached 1,184-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU), a 4,946-square-foot 10-stall horse barn with a 669-square-foot attached office, a 4,062-square-foot horse walker, and a 1,169-square-foot garage with an attached 908-square-foot hay barn. Takuma said the project also proposes a private stable use and an increase in the allowed number of horses from nine (the by-right total calculated for the lot size) to 10, which requires a minor use permit.

Staff said an administrative design review is required for grading that exceeds 4 feet of fill and that multiple…