Equestrian-Residential Zone Studied : Burbank Rejects Mariposa Land Swap

A Burbank builder said Wednesday that he is disappointed that the Burbank City Council rejected a solution to a dispute over a proposed development in an equestrian-residential community.

John C. Bell has been trying for several years to establish a public storage facility in the “Mariposa Triangle,” an 11-acre area zoned for light-industrial use but dominated by single-family homes with horse stables.

The city is considering rezoning the area for equestrian-residential use and turned down Bell’s request in October, 1986, pending that decision.

In the meantime, city planners proposed a solution: a land swap that would give Bell and others land in Burbank’s redevelopment area in exchange for their Mariposa Triangle property. But the council rejected that idea Tuesday as too costly for the city.

“I’m very frustrated and very disappointed, but I don’t know what I’m going to do yet,” Bell said Wednesday. “Right now, it’s a wait-and-see situation.”

Planning Decision Appealed

Bell has appealed the 1986 decision by the city Planning Board denying him permission to establish the storage facility. His appeal is to be heard by the City Council, which has delayed its action until it decides whether to rezone the property. That issue is on the council’s Nov. 17 agenda.

Susan Boyle, the city’s redevelopment division manager, said Burbank had been considering exchanging $8.9-million worth of redevelopment property with the owners of Mariposa Triangle property. The city would then sell the Mariposa Triangle as residential property where horses could be kept.

The idea failed after community development officials estimated that it could cost the city as much as $3.8 million.

The triangle is bordered by Riverside Drive and the Equestrian Inn on the north, Mariposa Street on the west, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on the east and the Los Angeles River on the south.

Others who own property in the area include Thomas H. Hurlburt, PhotoSonics, and Granger CRC & Associates Properties. Granger CRC & Associates has proposed building an industrial park.

Even though the property is zoned for light-industrial use, horse owners rallied against proposed industrial development last year because they said it would ruin the area’s equestrian atmosphere.