GRANADA HILLS : 2 Horse Boarders Face Loss of Permits

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission’s Office of Zoning Administration on Friday ordered two commercial horse-boarding businesses to comply with Building and Safety Department standards within 90 days or lose their permits.

“Normally, these kinds of actions are only taken in very serious cases, like motels where prostitution or illegal drug sales are occurring,” said Joe Perica, associate zoning administrator. “This was just our way of getting these people’s attention and telling them that the clock was striking midnight on these violations.”

At issue were longstanding failures by Hillcrest Ranch, on Zelzah Avenue, and Damoor Farms, on Rinaldi Street, to comply with several requirements attached to their permits to operate. Both are in Granada Hills.

Hillcrest Ranch, which now boards 35 horses, is owned and operated by Shari Steinberg. Its permit, issued in 1989, came with the proviso that Steinberg obtain all necessary county health permits and building and safety permits for exiting structures, set aside on-site parking for 10 cars, control dust and store horse manure in covered containers.

She also agreed to build a bridle path and improve the road on the part of Zelzah that fronts her property.

Damoor Farms, operated by Roland Davis and his daughter, Michelle Valentine, received a permit in 1986. In 1991, they were reported in violation of city codes for failing to obtain permits for existing and new structures, to correct electrical and plumbing problems and for the storage of an unlicensed motor home on the property.

Building and Safety Investigator Galyn Taylor said Friday that both sets of owners had now made substantial progress toward compliance.

Under a compromise, Steinberg agreed to grade and improve her road, build a bridle path and complete the permit process on her buildings.

Davis and Valentine agreed to obtain permits and complete repairs on all existing buildings, replace their motor home with a newer model and complete electrical repairs.