San Dimas council approves transfer of Sycamore Canyon lease to new operator with Jackson family guarantee

On July 23, the San Dimas City Council voted 3–0 to adopt Resolution 2024-55 authorizing the city manager to execute an assignment and assumption agreement and lease guarantee to transfer the Sycamore Canyon Equestrian Center lease from DNL Ranch Management Company to SNS Equine, with a personal guarantee from the Jackson family.

The Parks and Recreation director told the council the Sycamore Canyon facility covers about 17 acres, provides boarding for approximately 140 horses and includes stalls, wash stations, turnouts, four large arenas and two covered barns. Staff said the facility currently generates roughly $40,000 a year in revenue for the city and recommended the assignment because the proposed operator, SNS Equine, and the Jackson family were found by a city-contracted consultant to be sufficiently capitalized and experienced to run the facility.

Steve Jackson, who identified himself during public comment as a purchaser involved with the property, said he and his wife are “really excited to…raise our family here in San Dimas” and emphasized their interest in maintaining the facility’s equestrian programming and opportunities for local children.

Council members asked no substantive questions during the presentation; staff noted the assignment would carry the same contractual terms and obligations as the existing lease and would not create a fiscal impact to the city beyond existing conditions. The council moved to approve the resolution and the clerk recorded a 3–0 vote in favor.

The resolution directs the city manager to complete the assignment and execute the related guarantee documents. The city did not publish an estimated implementation timeline in the staff remarks at the meeting; staff stated the operator presented a business plan to upgrade amenities, improve maintenance standards and add events and programming to engage the equestrian community.