Congratulations to client Thermal Ranch LLC on receiving unanimous approval from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors December 17, 2025, to proceed with a world-class equestrian facility surrounded by hundreds of homes and retail outlets in the eastern Coachella Valley community of Thermal. Procopio serves as the company’s environmental and land use counsel. As reported in the Palm Springs Desert Sun, “County planning staff… said they believe lengthy environmental reviews of the project had been adequate and that necessary steps were being taken to address and mitigate the project’s environmental impacts.”

Procopio Partner and Land Use practice leader Jim Vaughn led the entitlement and CEQA review process for this large new mixed-use equestrian focused project on 620 acres, assisted by Associate Matt Abbot. Thermal Ranch will consist of a 231-acre world class equestrian facility that will provide a new, permanent home for the Desert International Horse Park, as well as 110 custom estate homes, 161 single-family homes, 191 condominiums, workforce housing, an RV park, and a future phase consisting of a hotel, resort condominiums, and a retail/entertainment center. The project will exceed $1 billion, and entitlements include a new Specific Plan, Tentative Tract Map, General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Environmental Impact Report, and multiple plot plans.

Jim Vaughn spoke at the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting on the project, saying his client has agreed to pay the full cost of developing a 58-megavolt electricity substation. As only 21 megavolts will be needed for the project, the rest of the electricity will be available for other uses. CEO Jeremy Smith noted the project will benefit the community with jobs and housing, and the company will also share the cost with the Coachella Valley Water District of building a new five-million-gallon water tank, with the new development only needing half of the water.

Learn more about our Land Use practice on our website and read more about the Thermal Ranch development in a Palm Springs Desert Sun article (subscription may be required).