HUNTINGTON BEACH : Equestrian Center Gets Second Chance
The Planning Commission this week gave the owner of an equestrian center six more weeks to comply with health and safety standards.
Commissioners said they were satisfied with owner Mary Harris’ efforts to resolve the problems at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center, on Golden West Street near Ellis Avenue. They agreed to extend her deadline to comply with city codes to March 18.
In December, an inspection found workers living in a substandard trailer on the site, a large pile of trash and other problems.
More than 400 horses are boarded at the 25-acre center.
Angered when Harris at first did not comply with requests to fix the problems, the commissioners had urged the council to revoke her permit.
Since then, however, Harris “has shown a good-faith effort” to bring her facility up to code, said Mike Strange, a city senior planner.
Harris has also agreed to complete within two weeks a grading plan to improve drainage at the stables, Strange said. Poor drainage in the horse paddock and stall areas frequently causes filthy, swamp-like conditions, city officials said. Harris also has promised to connect the stalls to the main sewer when the city completes a nearby storm drain.
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