KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Santa Clarita planners are set to discuss the Sand Canyon Plaza Tuesday at the last scheduled public hearing for the mixed-use project, which includes over 500 new residential units.
Sponsored Articles
City staff have recommended approval for the 80-acre project on Sand Canyon Road and Soledad Canyon Road that includes over 50,000 square feet of retail space and 580 residential units, according to the agenda item.
If passed by the Planning Commission, the project will move on to the Santa Clarita City Council for final approval.
“I’ve been involved with the land since 1985, and it’s been a mobile home park all that time,” said Tom Clark of Sand Canyon Plaza LLC, managing member of the project.
The mixed-use project, first proposed in 2002, would replace an existing mobile home park located on the northeast corner of Sand Canyon Road and Soledad Canyon Road, with a commercial plaza and 580 residential units.
The 80-acre site encompasses the Canyon Breeze Village mobile home park that includes 123 units. The developer plans to purchase the remaining mobile homes and relocate the residents.
The 722-page draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the new project analyzed the impacts to air quality, soil, endangered animals, greenhouse gas emissions, traffic and much more.
“The project will have significant and unavoidable impacts to air quality regarding operational impacts associated with the development,” stated the report. “These are typical for a mixed-use commercial and residential project of this size — there is no feasible mitigation to reduce these emissions to a less-than-significant level.”
The draft EIR attributes these air quality impacts to increased traffic due to the over 500 new residential units to the area.
“The environmental impact for the project is at the same level for projects of similar size,” said Clark. “There are no endangered species or plants on the property — we made sure to take the environment into account during planning.”
The project, first brought to the Planning Commission in 2002, consisted of two separate projects.
The original plan included 50 acres for the plaza and 30 acres for the 580-unit residential project, owned by Royal Clark Development Co.
“We were able to take control of the whole property with one developer,” said Clark. “We sat down to work with the city in planning and proposed the new plan that we have now.”
Sand Canyon Plaza is now one project on 80 acres and includes 580 units: 148 single-family homes, 120 attached townhomes and 312 apartments. Additionally, 55,600 square feet of retail commercial space (including restaurants) and a 75,000 square-foot (up to 120-bed) assisted living facility.
The planning commission meeting is set for Tuesday, June 6 at 6 p.m.
There is already such an issue with traffic on the 14 and now they are adding more homes and businesses – seems crazy to me! SCV is being way over built. Just my opinion
I agree about the excesses in numbers of homes, apt, townhomes. Traffic, pollutuon, and the almighty dollar seem to rule here. Sand cyn freeway ramps will not handle the flow rates required as constructed. Soledad needs widening to 3 lanes. Chevron and 76 will need a new home. A cloverleaf style ramp system needs to be installed first. All this is being ignored, so my vote says downsize the residential by 1/2.
I agree . Santa Clarita is becoming overpopulated. We are no longer a small town. Which is why I moved here so long ago from the over crowded San Fernando Valley.
It is absolutely irresponsible to consider adding more homes in that area without addressing the traffic problems on the 14 freeway. It’s already a mess during commute hours, this will just make it worse. Expand the freeway by AT LEAST one lane BEFORE adding homes, or don’t add them.
Not only the 14 but Soledad Canyon, our only two lifelines here in the Sand Canyon area re going to be in crisis mode, especially when the huge Vista Canyon project comes on line. Vista Canyon including moving a Metrolink stop with massive parking — ALL of which must come from Soledad Canyon!!!!
Not to mention the water problems in that area. And just wait until the Vista Ranch project is built – all in the flood plain, so reducing recharge. Everyone that lives there is supposed to take the train – do you believe it?
But here’s the the thing. This will NEVER stop until we change the council and the water district people AND people show up at hearings instead of just writing posts. Did you organize your neighborhood? Will you be attending the hearing?
No community anywhere is subjected to this kind of growth 1500 units Skyline Ranch, 1050 Vista Ranch, 3000 Northlake, 500 Del Valle, 500 Tesoro del Valle 21,000 Newhall Ranch, 1100, Entrada N, 1400, Entrada south. OUr valley’s air, traffic and water is in deep trouble, but only 10% vote. Its all because of who you elect and no one in this community even bothers to vote.
I agree. Our Valley needs a new council…I’m tired of seeing the same OLE people. (And yes, I do vote)
In addition to the already made comments, why in the world do we need 500 plus more homes?
Also, when these areas are built….they always short change the public on parking. The spots are too narrow for even a compact car. It’s crazy how these developers design things! Of course they won’t live in this complex, so they don’t care about how this development will impact this quiet little area. All they care about is the $$ they’ll receive.
Also…how will this “place” impact our wild life? We’ve seen foxes running around, and other critters…now where will they go? I’m tired of greed and the mind set of developing every single space in our valley. What’s wrong with open air space and the beauty of it? I just don’t get it…and I don’t want to get it.
Wanting our valley to look similar to the San Fernando Valley…well it makes me sick.
Stop unnecessary building. Utilize the deveoped areas with creative mind set.
Waterwatcher,
You are 1000% correct. Those of us who care or speak up about this, well, nothing ever gets considered because there are not enough of us that do. Yes, you are absolutely correct that our city council does not care about traffic, infrastructure (another care facility such as a hospital), police etc. This town will ultimately be worse than the San Fernando Valley.
The Sand Canyon Plaza and the Vista Canyon project should make everyone think about voting out the career politicians that sit on the Planning Commission and the City Council for their irresponsible planning in the Sand Canyon – Lost Canyon & Soledad area.
I live in Canyon Country less than a mile from both the Sand Canyon Plaza and Vista Canyon projects. I’m glad to see that there will be more new commercial development in Canyon Country. I’m tired of driving to Valencia for good restaurants.
As to the issue of traffic, I will be impacted as much as anyone will be by these projects. But traffic is not bad on Soledad or on the 14 freeway except during rush hours. I’m willing to have a little more traffic for the convenience of having more good restaurants and shopping in my neighborhood.
I’m glad to have new developments in my neighborhood. If you want old and deteriorating, with really bad traffic, consider the San Fernando Valley.
There are many good places to eat in Canyon Country. Plenty of dry cleaners and convenience stores too. We need parks and dispensaries!
You guys keep electing people that allow this. LOL
You get what you deserve. HAHAHAHAHA