City Endorses Big Lots in ‘Horse Country’ : Land use: City Council wants the area to retain its rural atmosphere while allowing low-density housing construction. The new rules would not be enforced until next May.

The City Council has ended months of controversy over the future of “Horse Country” by tentatively approving regulations that favor large lots for horse-keeping while allowing construction of some low-density housing.

The council is expected to take final action June 22.

The new rules are designed to preserve the area’s rustic atmosphere by increasing open space, lowering housing densities and imposing aesthetic controls.

Future lots created in the 11-block neighborhood alongside the San Gabriel River must be a minimum of 10,000 square feet, which is the amount of land required for keeping horses.

The new regulations also establish a minimum size for houses, limit that amount of land that structures can cover, and require that future developments conform to the rural character of the area. Property owners will be able to build rental houses or to subdivide lots for construction of new homes as long as the structures meet the new standards.

The new development regulations for the city’s Agricultural Estate District, as the neighborhood is officially known, will take effect May 22, 1993. The council decided on the 11-month delay after some property owners pointed out that they had made building plans under the existing ordinances.

The zoning revisions stem from a controversy that erupted last fall over new subdivisions in the area. It pitted those favoring retention of the rural atmosphere against others who want to build additional houses on their property. City officials imposed a building moratorium until the issue could be resolved. The moratorium is expected to be lifted July 22.

The council approved the regulations Monday by a 3-1 vote, but the proposal appeared in jeopardy for a time because council members could not agree on a timetable for owners who had planned to develop their property under current regulations.

Councilman William J. Pendleton proposed that the revised rules not take effect for a year to give people time to draw up plans and secure building permits. Councilwoman Ruth Gilson strongly objected, saying that most residents don’t want further building under the old regulations and a year’s delay would result in “all types of nonconforming properties.”

The council finally agreed on the 11-month period, but Gilson voted against the proposal. Councilman Ken Cleveland was barred from taking part in the deliberations because he lives in the area.

Under terms of the revised ordinance, a minimum of 9,500 square feet of land will be required for each single-family unit. The present minimum is also 7,260 square feet. Minimum home sizes will range from 1,250 square feet to 2,500 square feet, depending on lot size. The present minimum is 950 square feet.

Buildings may cover no more than 40% of the total lot area, and accessory buildings may cover no more than to 10% of the lot size.