The Santa Clarita City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to pass a Special Standards District for the Happy Valley neighborhood in Newhall to a second reading. The vote signals a victory for a number of residents who have been working for many months on the District proposal.

If passed for a second time on December 8, the Special Standards District would be bound by Apple Street to the west and Cross Street to the east. The District would provide a unique look at the Happy Valley area, especially when considering development. The District would make it easier for the neighborhood to retain its rural nature, which includes varying sized lots, few sidewalks or curbs, and some animal hosting.

The process was originally started in 2003, however it lost steam among the residents until last year when a developer was pushing a project to build five homes on a 1+ acre lot on Valley Street.