The City of Santa Clarita Planning Commission is set to discuss plans for the proposed Sand Canyon Resort next Tuesday, as well as a new patient tower for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

The hearing is expected to include a presentation from city staff providing an overview on the potential impact of the projects and testimony from the applicants as well as the public, beginning Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Sand Canyon Resort

The applicant, the existing Sand Canyon Country Club, is requesting approval of several items, including but not limited to several use permits, development and landscape plan reviews, a tentative tract map, and a zone change, for the construction of Sand Canyon Resort to redevelop nine holes of the Mountain Course at Sand Canyon Country Club.

The project, also referred to as the “Sand Canyon Resort” project, would see the Sand Canyon Country Club add a three-story hotel with 241 rooms, a wedding hall, 23 villas, restaurants, a spa, a minigolf course and other amenities to the facility.

Photo courtesy of City Of Santa Clarita

Based on project-specific information provided by the applicant, total employment is estimated to be approximately 500 employees.

The Sand Canyon Resort would require the removal of 21 non-heritage oak trees and approximately 511,000 cubic yards of earthwork to be balanced across the 77-acre site, according to city documents.

During construction, temporary lane closures may be necessary on Robinson Ranch Road, and construction equipment and vehicles may block Robinson Ranch Road and/or slow traffic on Sand Canyon Road, which could interfere with emergency response, including potential evacuations, according to the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

However, the EIR noted that such construction would be temporary and would affect only a small portion of identified disaster routes at any one time.

See Related: Santa Clarita Planning Commission To Hold Public Hearing On Sand Canyon Resort

If allowed, project activities such as site preparation and construction would be prohibited during the typical breeding and nesting seasons of native bird species such as the California quail and burrowing owls, which is typically between Feb. 1 and Aug. 31.

The EIR also notes construction noise and vibration, and deems the impacts of construction operations “significant and unavoidable.”

Additionally, downstream from the project, an 18-inch sewer pipe in Lost Canyon Road would need to be upgraded with future development in the area, as it is currently near capacity, and would not be able to support the influx of material from the completed Sand Canyon Resort project.

The potential expansion project has drawn criticism from a number of residents of the Sand Canyon community, who organized themselves as the ‘Stop Sand Canyon Resort Task Force’ in September 2019 to formally oppose the development. Several submitted written comments before the Jan.19 meeting, expressing concern about the wisdom of allowing only 60 days for the project to be reviewed given holiday interruptions, new members of the planning commission and COVID-19 restrictions to public review.

Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Expansion

In addition to the proposal Sand Canyon resort, a proposal to expand Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital (HMNH) is also set to be discussed Tuesday. 

The expansion would re-designate a portion of the HMNH complex to allow for the construction of a second inpatient building measuring 115,700 square-feet in floor area and 80 feet in height, a new diagnostics and treatment facility measuring 84,300 square feet in floor area and 60 feet in height, and an expansion to the existing parking structure with an additional 292 new spaces measuring 40 feet high.

The proposed project is generated by the need to bring hospital rooms up to current standards within the existing Main Hospital Building, according to city documents.

Photo courtesy of City Of Santa Clarita

According to information provided by the applicant, HMNH, upgrading the existing beds within the Main Hospital Building to meet current and future standards from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and Americans with Disabilities Act would result in much higher costs than just accomplishing these requirements via new construction. 

 The objectives of the new patient tower project include:

• Helping meet the health care needs of Santa Clarita Valley’s existing population and planned future population growth.
• Allow the hospital to apply for State-required approvals to continue expanding HMNH in a long-term plan.
• Enhance HMNH to provide patients with personalized care, state-of-the-art medical technology, and a professional staff within a single campus environment.
• Accommodate expansion that would bring two new buildings online over time as needed while ensuring the continuance of existing operations.
• Establish a campus that would attract and retain physician specialists and establish Centers of Excellence, which are defined as highly specialized health care services via physician or hospital authorized providers or hospital collaboration around a disease category.
• Develop a medical campus designed with patients in mind by linking inpatient services and medical buildings in a single setting, providing safe access and transit opportunities.
• Minimize visual impacts of the HMNH campus using enhanced building design and landscaping and focusing more intensive development near the center of the site.

Photo courtesy of City Of Santa Clarita

The current main hospital would be converted to office, administrative, and other support uses. 

Structures included in the proposal would be consistent with the height and size of other existing structures located on the campus. All lighting on the subject property is required to be shielded and directed downward, thereby minimizing light spillover onto residential areas within the area.

Disturbances caused by construction activities would not be substantial and not lead to any annoyance or structural damage for structures in the area, officials determined.

Both Santa Clarita projects are set to be proposed at the City Planning Commission meeting on Jan.19 at 6:00p.m. Residents can watch the meeting live on Facebook or participate via the City website.

Ed note: Jade Aubuchon contributed to this article.

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