Attachment 2-1
AMENDED 1.27.25
January 29, 2025
The Honorable Caroline Menjivar
6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 400
Van Nuys CA 91401
RE: SB 423 - CITY OF BURBANK REQUEST FOR PERMANENT EQUESTRIAN EXEMPTION
Dear Senator Menjivar,
The Rancho Equestrian District includes parts of Burbank, Glendale, and Los Angeles . The Burbank Rancho Neighborhood (Rancho) includes the West Rancho residential neighborhood ( generally bounded by California Street on the west, Riverside Drive on the north, Bob Hope Drive on the east, and the southern City boundary on the south ) and the East Rancho residential neighborhood (generally bounded by Keystone Street on the west, Alameda Avenue to Shelton Street to Oak Street on the north , Victory Boulevard on the e ast, and the southern City boundary on the south ). The unique and vibrant equestrian community in Burbank includes approximately 800 homes set adjacent to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (LAEC ), a world -class facility located within the district that offers boarding, training, and event spaces . The Burbank Rancho’s uniqueness comes from its large number of residential horse keeping properties, access to equestrian trails and Griffith Park, and proximity to the LAEC. Per the City’s 2024 Legislative Platform, the City shall support state guidelines for the protection of equestrian neighborhoods, facilities, and infrastructure.
As you are aware, SB 423 went into effect on January 4, 2024 and includes the Subsection (r) to California Government Code 65913.4, which establishes a temporary exemption from the streamlined ministerial approval process for multifamily housing projects proposed on “qualifying sites” that satisfy the following criteria:
1. The site is within an equine or equestrian district designated buy a general plan, specific or master plan.
2. As of January 1, 2024, the general plan applicable to the site contains, and has contained for five or more years, an equine or equestrian district designation where the site is located.
3. As of January 1, 2024, the equine or equestrian district applicable to the site is not zoned to include residential uses but authorizes residential uses with a conditional use permit (CUP).
4. The local government jurisdiction has a state-law compliant adopted housing element.
The City appreciates your hard work in securing the 18 -month exemption for Burbank’s long established and wonderful equine community, but the sunset date of July 1, 2025 is problematic for the City of Burbank. The City of Burbank’s Community Development Department is currently undertaking efforts to develop a revised Rancho Neighborhood Specific Plan, as directed by City Council, which would establish robust objective development standards and responsible growth policies. It’s estimated that the specific plan will be complete within three years. Without an extension of the temporary exemption, the Burbank Rancho is in danger of decline or reduction in infrastructure that actively supports horse ownership. The neighborhood is rich with heritage and
historical roots and remains one of the few equestrian -friendly neighborhoods in the Los Angeles metro area.
As our state representative, we urge you to put forth legislation that will extend the temporary exemption included in SB 423 permanently and protect the Rancho Neighborhood.
Thank you for considering our perspective on this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Burbank City Council
Cc: Kyra Emanuels Ross, Emanuels Jones & Associates
Jennifer Quan, Cal Cities Regional Public Affairs Manager, LA County Division
Attachment 2-2
Attachment 2-3
AMENDED 1.27.25
January 29, 2025
The Honorable Nick Schultz
300 East Magnolia Boulevard, Suite 504
Burbank CA 91502
RE: SB 423 - CITY OF BURBANK REQUEST FOR PERMANENT EQUESTRIAN EXEMPTION
Dear Assemblymember Schultz,
The Rancho Equestrian District includes parts of Burbank, Glendale, and Los Angeles . The Burbank Rancho Neighborhood (Rancho) includes the West Rancho residential neighborhood ( generally bounded by California Street on the west, Riverside Drive on the north, Bob Hope Drive on the east, and the southern City boundary on the south ) and the East Rancho residential neighborhood (generally bounded by Keystone Street on the west, Alameda Avenue to Shelton Street to Oak Street on the north , Victory Boulevard on the e ast, and the southern City boundary on the south ). The unique and vibrant equestrian community in Burbank includes approximately 800 homes set adjacent to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (LAEC ), a world -class facility located within the district that offers boarding, training, and event spaces . The Burbank Rancho’s uniqueness comes from its large number of residential horse keeping properties, access to equestrian trails and Griffith Park, and proximity to the LAEC. Per the City’s 2024 Legislative Platform, the City shall support state guidelines for the protection of equestrian neighborhoods, facilities, and infrastructure.
As you are aware, SB 423 went into effect on January 4, 2024 and includes the Subsection (r) to California Government Code 65913.4, which establishes a temporary exemption from the streamlined ministerial approval process for multifamily housing projects p roposed on “qualifying sites” that satisfy the following criteria:
5. The site is within an equine or equestrian district designated buy a general plan, specific or master plan.
6. As of January 1, 2024, the general plan applicable to the site contains, and has contained for five or more years, an equine or equestrian district designation where the site is located.
7. As of January 1, 2024, the equine or equestrian district applicable to the site is not zoned to include residential uses but authorizes residential uses with a conditional use permit (CUP).
8. The local government jurisdiction has a state-law compliant adopted housing element.
The City appreciates your hard work in securing the 18 -month exemption for Burbank’s long established and wonderful equine community, but the sunset date of July 1, 2025 is problematic for the City of Burbank. The City of Burbank’s Community Development De partment is currently undertaking efforts to develop a revised Rancho Neighborhood Specific Plan, as directed by City Council, which would establish robust objective development standards and responsible growth
policies. It’s estimated that the specific plan will be complete within three years. Without an extension of the temporary exemption, the Burbank Rancho is in danger of decline or reduction in infrastructure that actively supports horse ownership. The neighborhood i s rich with heritage and historical roots and remains one of the few equestrian -friendly neighborhoods in the Los Angeles metro area.
As our state representative, we urge you to put forth legislation that will extend the temporary exemption included in SB 423 permanently and protect the Rancho Neighborhood.
Thank you for considering our perspective on this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Burbank City Council
Cc: Kyra Emanuels Ross, Emanuels Jones & Associates
Jennifer Quan, Cal Cities Regional Public Affairs Manager, LA County Division
Attachment 2-4