Loewke Planning was retained to assist the owners and developers of eleven acres in the middle of Tassajara Valley in unincorporated Contra Costa County to design, entitle and proceed with completion of an elaborate equestrian training and boarding center catering to children and families. The vision of Tracey and Robert Hirt, this project involved the conversion of a deteriorating former walnut ranch into a riding school and boarding facility for 30 horses. The subject to intensely controversial urban development proposals over the past 20 years, Tassajara Valley is relatively flat, rural valley extending along Camino Tassajara between Blackhawk Country Club and East Dublin. Contra Costa County amended its General Plan in 2000 to place Tassajara Valley outside the voter-approved Urban Limit Line, and enacted a range of policies to encourage sustainable agriculture and complementary uses. We worked closely with the Hirt's, County staff and elected officials to design and entitle Ironhorse Equestrian Center as an economically viable agricultural-commercial use which supports continued farming operations throughout the Tassajara Valley. We also worked closely with County staff to complete an environmental Initial Study and MND to ensure that this robust and popular facility would not result in adverse environmental effects.