What is currently allowed at Bear Creek Stables until Midpen obtains the Commercial Stables Use Permit with the County of Santa Clara?
Boarding for up to 72 horses.
Anything else requires a Commercial Stable Operation Use Permit.
Has Santa Clara County ever authorized public programming at Bear Creek Stables under County zoning?
2000: County to Midpen: Only use that is authorized is boarding of 72 horses, nothing else. No expansion or intensification.
2015: Midpen to County: Can we add public programming, including camps, educational programs, and horse lessons? County: Only with a Use Permit and code improvements.
2018: Midpen to County: We understand that expanding use to include camps, horse lessons, and public programming requires a Use Permit and expensive code improvements, so we are going to maintain the status quo use established by the 2000 compliance letter.
2021: Midpen reverses course and applies for a Use Permit to add public programming, submitting architectural plans to the County.
2026: Midpen’s Use Permit application remains under County review. As of June 21, 2026, the County has deemed the application incomplete.
Suffering Horses
Animal welfare concerns, inspections, photographs, public records, and the events that led to criminal charges against the former Bear Creek Stables manager.
Disappearing Birds
Historical nesting records, wildlife surveys, environmental documents, and questions surrounding the loss of nesting birds at the stables.
More: Midpen, where are the birds?
Public Funds and Oversight
Public spending, repair plans, board actions, fundraising proposals, and questions surrounding government oversight and accountability.
More: Coming Soon
