2 1/2 million square foot project proposed for Smiser Ranch property.
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For yet another consecutive week, resident groups organized a massive turn out at Santa Clarita City Council chambers to protest a development that is being proposed to the City.
The development is called “The Avenue,” and it mixes shopping and residential dwellings in a 2 1/2 million square foot package on the old Smiser Ranch mule farm property located between Wiley Canyon Rd, Calgrove Blvd and the I-5. A 13 story building is one of the components of the project.
Increased traffic congestion in the already jam-packed area was of concern for the residents, as was the fact that the City would even consider a project of this type. While City Manager Ken Pulskamp explained that applicants can submit whatever type of project they please, some residents urged the council to be blunt with developers and essentially tell them to not waste their time submitting projects that are outside of the City’s zoning standards. Pulskamp replied by saying that he does not have the authority to do that.
Many called for a park to be placed at the location instead of a major development. The City of Santa Clarita however, does not own that land.
Of course, no official action could be taken tonight, because the proposal was not on the agenda. City Manager Ken Pulskamp said that he does not support the current plan for “The Avenue,” and he has expressed that to the developer, who will be coming back with a new proposal.
The issue is not expected to make it to the City Council for at least two years.
There were several hot-button issues at Tuesday night’s Council meeting, including the TCU closure and the City’s adoption of a code of ethics. You can read the full write up on those by clicking below.