Blue Star Ranch Navigates Tough Move

A Challenging Summer for a Dedicated Nonprofit Leader

Nancy Pitchford-Zhe has faced a difficult summer, but she remains optimistic and grateful. Despite two hospital visits, she shared her positive outlook during a phone interview on Tuesday. The founder of Blue Star Ranch, an equine therapy organization that supports veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, has encountered numerous obstacles this year.

In May, Pitchford-Zhe learned that the property she had rented for her equine therapy facility was sold. The new owner was clearing out the stables to make way for a new business, forcing her to find a new location for her horses. This task proved daunting, as the animals are central to her nonprofit’s mission.

However, a long-time friend came to her aid. Jump for Joy on San Francisquito Canyon Road offered space for her operations, helping her navigate the transition. But just a month later, another setback occurred.

While cleaning up gear from her old facility, Pitchford-Zhe’s golf cart became stuck in the road, tipped over, and fell on her. She spent an hour before being found by George and Marco Molina, the co-owners of Earthwise Aggregates. The accident left her with 10 broken ribs.

“I was very grateful that they found me,” she said. “I was there for an hour before he found me, and the way the cart fell on me, I broke 10 ribs.”

The challenges didn’t end there. After being released from the hospital, she felt she needed more physical therapy than she received. Upon returning home, she suffered another fall, breaking her remaining two ribs. Despite these setbacks, Pitchford-Zhe remained focused on gratitude, thanking the Molina brothers and Blue Star Ranch volunteers for their support during the move.

She is now concentrating on recovering and preparing operations at Jump for Joy, where a veteran is already signed up and waiting for the program to begin.

The Molina Brothers’ Perspective

George and Marco Molina, who also run a family demolition business, have been learning about the complexities of their new venture. They recently received a stop-work order from the city on July 17. Marco Molina explained that they were unaware the removal of the stables would require a demolition permit.

“We promised her that we would help her with moving all the horses and donkeys and all that stuff that she needed,” he said. “We took care of the corrals and stables and everything that needed to be moved.”

George Molina, a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer, purchased Blue Star Ranch’s former home with plans to open Earthwise Aggregates. He aims to relocate his business from Coltrane Avenue to Placerita Canyon. However, the new address is now under investigation by city officials.

The city of Santa Clarita does not comment on active code-enforcement cases, citing state laws that require confidentiality. Earthwise Aggregates, which is located near open oil fields, Quigley Canyon Open Space, and a Placerita power plant, filed paperwork in June for its new location at 20827 Placerita Canyon.

According to city records, the brothers plan to operate a “state-regulated aggregate material recovery and processing facility on approximately 3.5 acres.”

Community Concerns

Some residents of Placerita Canyon have raised concerns about the potential impact of the new business. Issues include increased truck traffic, air pollution, and noise. Teresa Todd, president of the Placerita Canyon Property Owners Association, mentioned that the association has not yet taken a position on the project but will discuss it at its Aug. 7 board meeting.

Residents worry about how the business might affect the equestrian-friendly environment of the canyon. While the Molina brothers continue working on permits and navigating the process, the community remains watchful, balancing the need for economic development with environmental and quality-of-life concerns.