Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share an update as well as a request.  In recent meetings District 1 Supervisor Sylvia Arenas has acknowledged the concerns we’ve been faced with.  She has stated many times she doesn’t agree with a lot of the proposed amendments and believes the planning department needs to hit the reset button and go back to the drawing board.  She has submitted a recommendation that will be on the upcoming board of supervisors meeting agenda. I’ve included a small portion of that below.

“Equine Policy: Separate out equine policy changes from the rural zoning ordinance amendments, as presented by Planning at the November 6th Equine Community Outreach Meeting, and come back to HLUET with a process and timeline for a separate proposal that would include extensive outreach to the equine community, ensure that horses are considered livestock (except where community consensus exists for their treatment as domestic animals), facilitate streamlined permitting for commercial and non-profit equine keeping, including horse stables and livestock barns, and support by-right private/residential equine keeping. Research and present options from other counties that have found solutions that align with these goals, potentially including Monterey, Alameda, Orange, San Diego, and Riverside Counties.”

Full recommendation below:
https://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=16821&MediaPosition=&ID=126925&CssClass=

We need as many people as possible to attend either in person or virtually and to comment, urging the board of supervisors to approve the recommendation.  The meeting is on this upcoming Tuesday, November 18th at 9:30am.  

How to provide Public Comment during the Board of Supervisors meeting:  

• In- person at the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 70 W. Hedding Street San José 
  a.      Submit a comment card when Item 9 is being heard  
• Virtually via Zoom at https://sccgov-org.zoom.us/j/81230666345 (recommended) or by dialing (669) 900-6833 and entering Meeting ID 812 3066 6345# when prompted 

a.      If via Zoom: raise your virtual hand when Item 9 is being heard 

b.      If dialing in: Press *9 to request to speak during Item 9, and *6 to unmute when prompted

• AND/OR Written Public Comment by submitting your email toBoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org 
  a.      Include in Subject Line: “Item 9 – Support for Supervisor Sylvia Arenas’ Referral” 

We are definitely getting somewhere! But the fight isn’t over yet.  Please share and comment at the meeting.  Thank you!