Petition asks City officials to focus on parking and traffic issues

Lockheed Federal Credit Union announced today that its members, as well as others in the community, are voicing their concern regarding Westfield’s plan to expand the Valencia Town Center Mall by adding approximately 331,000 square feet of additional retail space.

This week, Santa Clarita residents signed petitions voicing their opposition to the mall expansion until the present parking and traffic problems at Valencia Town Center are settled. They are pleading with city officials to resolve these issues before the City Council votes on a proposal to allow the expansion. At a meeting scheduled for October 23, the City Council plans to consider the Planning Commission’s decision to approve Westfield’s plans to expand the mall by more than 50 percent. 

Those signing the petitions are asking the city to further research the obvious increase in congestion such a large construction project would have on the mall, and on the quality of life currently enjoyed by consumers while patronizing mall businesses.

“We need city officials to take a careful look at traffic and parking issues before moving forward with a decision to expand the Valencia Mall,” said Phil Hart, Chief Operating Officer at LFCU. “If people can not conveniently find a parking place, many may avoid coming to the mall.  Presently, some of our members, who can’t find a convenient parking place, travel to Stevenson Ranch and other areas outside city limits to conduct their business and shop.  Furthermore, this takes tax dollars out of the city.”

Here are some of the current problems and issues, according to Lockheed Federal Credit union:

·         Traffic is getting more congested near the mall.

·         Pedestrians are put at risk.

·         Parking is extremely difficult in and around the entertainment center.

·         Shoppers cannot find a quick, convenient place to park at the mall near the entertainment center or the Princess Cruise buildings.

·         Businesses in the Valencia Town Center adjacent to the entertainment center are suffering since their customers currently have trouble finding parking.

·         These problems will only get worse with mall expansion

 “Let’s add the new retail space and gain new tax dollars, but only after the existing parking and traffic problems are resolved,” Hart said.