Norco takes steps to preserve rural lifestyle
New equestrian historic district is OK’d to protect large lots, open spaces
Norco’s equestrian, rural lifestyle will be preserved in “Horsetown, USA.”
The city’s new Equestrian Historic District was made official at the Wednesday City Council meeting. Nearly a year after its introduction, the ordinance adds the historic district to Norco’s municipal code.
Council members, who unanimously approved the district, initiated the project to honor Norco’s heritage as a large-lot, horse-friendly community, a city report states.
“We have determined that because of our formation as an equestrian-based city and long historic fight to protect and preserve our equestrian heritage, nearly our entire community qualifies for historic status and should be protected,” Mayor Kevin Bash wrote in an email to residents.
With more than 27,000 residents, Norco is known for fostering “city living in a rural atmosphere,” which is the town’s slogan. The city has faced pressures to develop, especially as newer towns around it — including Eastvale, Jurupa Valley — are booming with new businesses and suburban housing.
“I know no other city in California that has an entire community dedicated to equestrian lifestyle, so this is very unusual,” Bill Wilkman, the city’s cultural resources consultant, told the council. “People come to Norco to avoid government suburban zoning.”
The new historic district requires the city to uphold its large lots, equestrian theme and architectural standards across town, Wilkman said. The district will include “everything zoned for animal-keeping,” minus several small commerciallyzoned areas, and is “pretty much the entire city.” Most of Norco’s
animal-keeping lots within the district boundaries are at least 20,000 square feet in size.
As part of the designation, the city can make additions or improvements to Norco’s vast network of horse trails. It must protect large lots with animal-keeping areas, keep city parks with equestrian facilities, horse arenas and hitching posts — all fixtures in Horsetown, USA.
The making of Norco’s historic district has been a long time coming, city officials said. Surveying of the land began in late 2020, and the City Council approved the district’s creation in February, with a $28,800 budget. The Historic Preservation Commission recommended the district be added to the municipal code in September.
Councilmember Robin Grundmeyer said creating a historic district adds “value” to Norco.
The historic district also applies to both sides of Sixth Street, between Sierra and California Avenues, and at all parks with equestrian facilities, a city report states. It will include the Norco Community Center and commercial properties along the Old Hamner Road corridor, which links to a proposed equestrian trail at the new Hamner Avenue bridge across the Santa Ana River.
Longtime resident Pat Overstreet supported the idea, and hoped it would protect ranches in the hills and in the “flatlands.”
“Please protect all that you can,” Overstreet told the council.
Bash said the ordinance does not affect homes or private properties, but is designed to protect the large lots, horse trails and open space for which Norco is known.
A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Oct. 20.