A large and controversial development is in the works with aims to further cement the far eastern Coachella Valley community of Thermal as a west coast hub for the sport of horse jumping and the enthusiasts who often center their lives around it.

On Wednesday, the Riverside County Planning Commission voted 3-1 to give its green light to a plan to transform about 620 acres of undeveloped land located southwest of 62 nd Avenue and Harrison Street into a massive multiuse development centered around the equestrian sport. The project can't proceed unless it also wins approval from county supervisors. A date for them to debate the project hasn't been set, but it will likely be before year's end.

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