New Restrictions Proposed For Livestock Ownership In Wildomar

WILDOMAR, CA — Proposed changes to Wildomar's development code that could alter the way residents are able to keep and own livestock will not be under discussion at Wednesday's special Planning Commission public meeting.

This, after Councilwoman Bridgette Moore shared the original Planning Commission agenda item was pulled from the Wednesday meeting, at 6 p.m. at the council chambers, located at 23873 Clinton Keith Road, Suite 106, in Wildomar. The meeting will also be streamed online, below.

During the special meeting, the Community Development Department will present a resolution recommending that the city council approve municipal code amendments and adopt revisions of the Development Code. Those related to Title 17 articles, many of which concern the number of farm animals on a residential property, will not be discussed at Wednesday's meeting, according to Moore.

There will be other important areas for residents to consider, she said, and recommended that they watch or attend the upcoming Planning Commission meeting.

The original suggested changes related to animal keeping raised immediate concerns for a few residents out of the gate: specifically, local coffee shop owner Raphael Montegue of Montegue Bros. Coffee Shop and Wildomar Wild-o-Market founder Darla Dunn.

Councilmember Bridgette Moore addressed her constituents on Facebook, stating that an immediate change was made.

"I've gotten some calls!" she said. "The possibility of reducing livestock on properties was pulled from Wednesday's meeting, and there will be no changes to the code for livestock in Wildomar. When something is on the agenda that gives you a chance to voice your opinion. Items like development updates go through the planning commission first."

Earlier in the day, Montegue told Patch that he and his wife keep horses at his Wildomar property. The family also has chickens, a single pig and two male cows, he said.

He suggests residents pay attention to the planning commission meeting (Wednesday), to ensure the city maintains the rural nature of our town, he said. He will watch to ensure any new code rules keep to the Wildomar way of life.

Montegue shared how having horses actually helped save his home.

"In the recent fire, my house was saved by the horse enclosure," he said. "The fire stopped directly at the horse enclosure because they eat every single weed, and that saved my house."

He has pleaded that those introducing changes look at the facts. "Consider that this can not only save people's property, but it is also supposed to be a rural area, and we have rural heritage. It literally hurt my feelings when I heard about folks who are trying to reduce the number of animals allowed."

The initial discussion on livestock reduction also applied to hogs, mini pigs, and miniature horses. Those proposed changes did not make it into the final draft of the document.

The current document shows the unchanged municipal code for Animal Keeping Standards:

The proposed changes, which were initially slated for recommendation to the city council:

"Many of our Wildomar friends have cattle, horses, sheep and goats and other livestock," resident and business owner Darla Dunn told Patch.

Currently, she lives in a tract home with a large yard, and has owned chickens, but does not currently own livestock. She still believes that the ability to do so is part of the culture of life in Wildomar.

"Although I live in a tract home, I work on local farms around here, and have been in Wildomar long enough to know that while the city might not have much, it is the rural character and farm freedom that shapes the town," she said.

Dunn advises all who are interested in maintaining the Wildomar farm-lifestyle to attend the meeting or write in with a statement.

"The ordinance is unjustified and literally takes aim at the character of rural communities," she said. "If the City of Wildomar adopts this, they are effectively moving to deface the elements that make Wildomar unique and rare to surrounding cities. There is no good justification for this from the city."

Decisions by the Planning Commission are reached through a public hearing process, open to all.

"Members of the community are encouraged to attend and participate in the meetings," according to the website. "During a typical public hearing, the Commission will hear a presentation from the Planning Department, receive a presentation from an Applicant, followed by public comments from members of the community wishing to speak on an agenda item. Upon conclusion of its deliberations, the Commission then makes a formal decision on the proposed project."

The Commission can only make recommendations to the City Council regarding amendments to the City's General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.

The Planning Commission members include Nolan King, Dr. Charles Golden III, Rene Cambero, Eric Filar, John Hume. The chair, and two commissioners' terms will expire in December of 2026, according to the website.

For more information about the Planning Commission, please contact the Planning Department at 951-677-7751, ext. 213.