Equestrians pursuing working relationships with San Diego County land use staff have scheduled meetings that are open for public participation.

On Aug. 23, the new San Diego County Equestrian Foundation will meet 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Town and Country Resort and Hotel in San Diego. Chandra Waller, general manager of Land Use and Environment, will be on hand along with consulant Jim Whalen of J.Whalen and Associates. For more information, contact Terri Cagle at (760) 720-5088 or visit www.sdcef.org.

On Aug. 4, San Diego County Department of Planning and Land Use staff met with concerned equestrians at the Valley Center Library and suggested a “tiered permitting structure” similar to one used recently by an association of vineyards to facilitate a zoning change in the county. A Sept. 1 workshop, scheduled 6-8 p.m. at the Valley Center Library’s Community Room, will further examine the process that area equestrians hope will lead to changes in the current onerous demands of obtaining equestrian special use permits. More information on the Valley Center meeting, including directions to the library, can be obtained online at www.equinezoning.com. Organizers also ask that suggestions be emailed to the Equine Subcommittee at equinezoning@gmail.com.