The new Santa Clarita Sheriff’s station and Los Angeles County Courthouse moved one step closer to reality as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the terms and conditions of two new option agreements.

Approval allows the county to secure an option to purchase just over 12 acres of unimproved land from Newhall Land located in the unincorporated Castaic Junction area at Interstate 5 and Highway 126.

A recent building assessment of the existing Santa Clarita Sheriff Station, Courthouse and Administrative Center by the State of California Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) determined that each facility, constructed in 1972, is in physical decline and fail to adequately serve the needs of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Two 6.1 acre parcels are being targeted for the construction of the new sheriff’s station and the courthouse at a cost of $2.87 million each.

The full cost of the new 45,000 square feet sheriff station including property purchase and development is estimated at $37.9 million.

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According to the county, the cost for the new sheriff station is anticipated to be fully offset by proceeds from the sale of the existing Santa Clarita Courthouse, Administrative Center and Sheriff Station, which based on current appraisals, are estimated at $14.7 million and approximately $23.2 million in future developer fees on planned developments in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The full cost of the courthouse including property purchase and development is estimated at $6.2 million, and will initially be funded through the issuance of tax-exempt commercial paper.

Knabe calls for beach ball clarification

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe directed the Department of Beaches and Harbors to re-write the section of the County’s recently adopted beach ordinance to clarify the section on ball and Frisbee playing at the beach.

“While the intent of the updated beach ordinance was to remove limitations on ball-playing, people interpreted it as the exact opposite – a full restriction on beach activities,” said Supervisor Knabe.

Supervisor Knabe is directing the Director of Beaches and Harbors to rewrite the ordinance in a manner that clearly states that such activities by small groups and individuals are allowed on the county beach, unless directed otherwise by the County Lifeguard or other designees to protect public safety and enjoyment of the beach.

Castaic Cluster of 70 homes approved

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved the creation of “a clustered hillside” residential development of 70 single-family residential lots, three commercial lots, four open space lots, one private park and one public facility lot on 47.25 acres in the Castaic Canyon zoned district.

The permittee, Bahram Safavi and Can Shelter, Inc., will remove 33 oak trees (two heritage oaks) in compliance with county code.

The County Forester recommended approval of the oak tree removals subject to recommended conditions of approval, including replacement of oak tree removals at a rate of 2:1 for a total of 26 mitigation oak trees.

The project site is located parallel to and southwest of The Old Road and Interstate 5, south of Parker Road and north of Villa Canyon Road, in the unincorporated Santa Clarita Valley.