Fee to be imposed on new development
[view:node_ad=5]Tonight, the Santa Clarita City Council adopted a resolution establishing a law enforcement facilities impact fee. The fee is designed to make sure that new development chips in for money needed to expand the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department facilities in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Currently, the existing Sheriff’s station is maxed out, and as the population continues to grow, new buildings will be needed to accommodate public safety needs. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
Also at tonight’s City Council meeting, the Council approved up to $90,000 to analyze potential sites in Santa Clarita for a Big League Dreams Sports Park. Big League Dreams Sports Parks are replicas of famous professional sporting fields, such as Ebbets Field or Fenway Park.
City staff claim that the park, while expensive to build, will add precious park acreage to Santa Clarita, draw sports tourism, and provide a place for local sports games to be played. They also promote the fact that an outside company will maintain the park for the City, and that the park is expected to generate $1 million per year in revenue. The total cost to build the park has been estimated at $30 million.
The Council voted 4-1 in favor of the item, with Councilmember TimBen Boydston voting no.