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Council declines to impose minimum setbacks for uncovered horse corrals
Summary
After public comments expressing safety and operational concerns, the Norco City Council declined to adopt a blanket 5‑foot minimum setback for uncovered horse corrals. Councilmembers cited enforceability, narrow nonconforming lots and preference for neighborly resolution or case‑by‑case review via conditional‑use permits.
Planning staff (Lisette) explained the planning commission recommendation to require a 5‑foot setback for uncovered corrals, noting there is currently a 5‑foot setback for covered corrals but none for uncovered ones. During public comment Bonnie Slager (S15) urged the setback to address stallion safety, disease transmission and injuries, saying a five‑foot buffer "would have taken care of that." Bill Naylor (S16) and several councilmembers argued a blanket setback would disproportionately affect narrow, nonconforming lots and be difficult to enforce without surveys and would reduce animal‑keeping capacity.
Councilmembers debated enforcement mechanics, conditional‑use permit discretion and whether to treat animal neighbors via neighborly resolution rather than new code. Council ultimately moved for "no action" on minimum setbacks and the motion passed. The council directed staff to consider conditional‑use permit conditions and to keep the discussion in planning and staff review rather than imposing a citywide setback.
