The City of Santa Clarita strongly encourages residents to send comments to the State Judicial Council on the proposed eight-story courthouse in Valencia.

The City of Santa Clarita(City) has serious concerns regarding the project proposed by the State Judicial Council for an eight-story courthouse on the property on McBean Parkway. The State Judicial Council did not notify, or consult with, the City on their selection of the site. The location is unsuitable, due to anticipated impacts to traffic circulation and given its proximity to residential, commercial and retail areas. Moreover, the project scope directly conflicts with the community and economic characteristics within that corridor.

The City strongly encourages residents to provide comments to the State Judicial Council. Written comments must be received by November 26, 2025.

City Councilmember Patsy Aayala also released the following statement:

“The State of California’s proposal to build an eight-story courthouse on McBean Parkway is not a City project, nor was it requested, selected, or supported by the City of Santa Clarita. What concerns me most is that the State is moving forward with a location without meaningful collaboration with our City—despite having received more than two dozen alternative sites from us three years ago. None of those sites included the McBean & Valencia Boulevard parcel now being proposed.

While expanding court services is important for the entire North Los Angeles County region, this is not the right location. McBean Parkway is already congested and is the primary route to Henry Mayo Hospital. Emergency access must remain protected, not further obstructed. The plan for fewer than 300 parking spaces is also inadequate, posing a serious burden to surrounding homes and businesses. We have seen this problem before in Sylmar, where parking overflow has negatively impacted nearby neighborhoods.

The scale of this project is also out of step with our City’s development standards. An eight-story facility towering over the area is not consistent with the character of Santa Clarita and does not follow the city code that guides the responsible growth we’ve worked so hard to maintain.

It is also important that residents understand this courthouse would serve the entire North Los Angeles County region, not just Santa Clarita. It would process all case types, including felony matters. Under the proposal, individuals released after felony hearings could be released directly into a predominantly residential corridor. Community planning must account for both justice and public safety.

Although the City of Santa Clarita does not control the approval process, I am advocating strongly for a more appropriate location—one with direct freeway access, safer traffic flow, and space for adequate security and parking. Our City deserves infrastructure that serves the region without compromising the safety and quality of life of our residents.

Now is the time for residents to make their voices heard. Your public comments are part of the legal record and carry real weight. Please submit concerns before the November 26 deadline.”

Comments, along with name and contact information, should be addressed to:

Kim Bobic, Senior Project Manager

Judicial Council of California; Facilities Services

2860 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833-3409

(805) 249-0911

[email protected]

The City is dedicated to ensuring new projects enhance the quality of life for residents, while maintaining the City’s unique community characteristics. The City is evaluating all options related to the proposed site and recommending alternative locations that are more suitable to accommodate a large-scale courthouse.

Information related to this Project is available for review on the Judicial Council’s website.

Ed. Note: The above information was provided to KHTS Radio by the City of Santa Clarita. 

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.