In one of few areas in L.A. zoned to allow horses, Burbank horse owners have convinced the local planning board to reject a plan to build a Whole Foods grocery store in their neighborhood. The retailer offered concessions, but the battle continues.
In Burbank's Rancho neighborhood, Whole Foods has attempted to answer citizen concerns about increased traffic from a proposed store: the developer offered to expand the street, set the store back from it, and add a horse and bike lane.
"Because of its adjacency to Griffith Park, a large equestrian center and several movie studios - which used to board horses back in the halcyon days of the western - the Rancho is one of the few areas near urban Los Angeles zoned for horses, which dozens of homeowners in the area board and ride. Along the quiet suburban blocks, it is not uncommon to see a hitching post in a front lawn, or a rider trotting through the drive-through lane at the Baskin-Robbins."
The city's planning board turned down Whole Foods' plan in October. But the developer will take the case to City Hall, where the City Council will give the final word on the project in January.
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