As code enforcement pursues an investigation into Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s horse stable in Los Gatos, there’s a party that’s remained out of the loop—the public. However, the County says the probe’s been hidden because of a “technical problem,” not subterfuge.
At press time, a query for the official Department of Planning and Development investigation into the Friends of Bear Creek Stables-managed facility returned no results on its look-up system that exists to ensure transparency.
“We are working with IT to understand why VIO26-0300 is not showing up in the parcel record history,” Director of Planning and Development Jacqueline Onciano said by email on Tuesday morning. “We believe it is a technical problem with how the file was initialized.”
On Aug. 3, when the newspaper asked Midpen about the case, a spokesperson for the public agency with a $100-million+ budget said there was none, and then—when the record number was provided—added there was a “public inquiry” that’d already been closed.
The case remains open, Onciano confirmed in her email yesterday, noting they had a meeting with representatives from Midpen regarding Bear Creek Stables on Thursday where they discussed their use permit application.
“We will continue to meet with Midpen to get clarity on how they desire to proceed with Bear Creek Stables,” she said.
The County pledged “Web-based Access to Code Violation Information for All Properties with Violations” by April 15, 2020. In 2024, the County limited information about code enforcement cases “for security reasons,” Onciano said.
On Tuesday, a Midpen spokesperson said Midpen was first informed about a case number assigned to an individual’s complaints on Aug. 4—a week after code enforcement officers visited the horse boarding operation.
“Midpen continues to actively collaborate with the County and no violations have been found,” said public affairs specialist Leigh Ann M. Gessner.
Bear Creek Stables is an approximately century-old stable that needs reportedly $10 million or so in upgrades. Midpen’s attempts to secure a use permit, which would allow it to develop the facility—including expanding public programming—continue to be deemed “incomplete” by the County.
Last week, Midpen told the newspaper it already has the right to offer public activities, contending that, among other things, historical Los Gatos recreation guides listed Bear Creek Stables as an option for local residents to consider.
Meanwhile, Midpen blew past a deadline for fixing a failed riding arena resurfacing project it conducted last year.
Friends of Bear Creek Stables referred questions about the facility to Midpen.
On Aug. 20 last year, a Midpen district facilities and fleet manager wrote to horse boarders at Bear Creek Stables, to respond to dissatisfaction about the fill application.
“As you know Midpen recently installed additional sand to the upper arena,” he said in an email. “It has come to our attention that boarders have expressed concerns regarding the stability of the new surface. After consulting with Friends, we have decided to temporarily close the upper arena while we research practices and techniques to improve the surface footing.
“Midpen Rangers will be onsite later this evening to install ‘Area Closed’ signage and lock the gates leading into the arena. We ask that you please comply with the closure while we research and implement a long-term solution.”
A Feb. 25 Midpen board meeting agenda item went into more detail about why the organization is moving forward with “Reapplication of sand to the arena.”
“In 2025, by mutual agreement, the District installed sand as specified and reviewed by Friends over the arena surface to meet the commitment of repairing the arenas. Friends were not satisfied with the result and requested that the District hire a contractor to regrade the base layers and reapply the sand. The District is in the process of issuing a request for bids, and weather permitting, plans to complete the work in April.”
Like the use permit application, this job remains incomplete. A photo taken earlier this year shows the upper arena speckled with tufts of grass.
“Sand is part of routine arena maintenance at the stables,” Midpen’s Gessner said.
