The “Stop Sand Canyon Resort” Task Force hosted over 200 people in their inaugural meeting on Wednesday evening.

The meeting was intended to inform Sand Canyon residents about concerns with the proposed expansion of the Sand Canyon Resort, according to Alex Guerrero, chair of the task force.

“This is going to be one of the biggest resorts in LA County, and those are the developer’s words,” Guerrero said.

The 77-acre property is currently home to a 27-hole golf course, clubroom and the Sycamore Bar and Grill.

Under the proposed plans, Sand Canyon Resort would add a three-story hotel, a wedding hall, 23 villas, restaurants, a spa and other amenities.

“This would transform our canyon into something that would change it forever,” Guerrero said.

The Chokepoints 

Two retired firefighters who are members of the task force discussed the “disastrous” situation if, and when, a fire rolls through Sand Canyon.

“During the Sand Fire, traffic was backed up to Placerita Canyon,” said Mark Whaling, a retired captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department who served at Station 123 in Sand Canyon.

There are three exits in the canyon: Placerita Canyon Road, Little Tijuana Road and Sand Canyon itself.

“As you saw during the Sand Fire, most of those exits can close,” Whaling said.

The retired fire captain recalled evacuating several news crews during the fire along Placerita Canyon Road “just in time” before a gust of wind engulfed the road in flames.

“If there was a civilian on that road, they would be dead,” Whaling said.

Another major chokepoint is Lost Canyon Road, where a proposed roundabout could take the place of the intersection.

“These chokepoints are already an issue, and they have been for years, but the development would just increase the risk,” Whaling said.

The Combined Impact 

Along with Sand Canyon Resort, several other developments are slated to be built around the canyon.

“It is not just Sand Canyon Resort we have to worry about,” said Micahel Hogan, a longtime resident.

Vista Canyon, which has already broken ground, is expected to add about 1,100 homes and dozens of businesses just outside of Sand Canyon.

Another project, Sand Canyon Plaza, is set to add over 500 more homes to the area, according to developers.

See Related: Residents Form ‘Stop Sand Canyon Resort’ Task Force To Oppose Proposed Development

With those developments, tens of thousands of added trips are expected to flood the area, causing concern of traffic congestion.

Steve Kim, the owner of Sand Canyon Resort, responded to those claims with a proposed shuttle system between the Vista Canyon Metrolink Station and the golf course.

“Most people are very happy to see the changes,” Kim said. “But there are some others that don’t feel that way.”

The Special Standards 

Sand Canyon is a special standards district in the City of Santa Clarita, which is designed to “maintain, preserve and enhance the rural and equestrian character of Sand Canyon,” according to the Santa Clarita municipal code.

There are several designations outlined in the special standards district, including street lights and other building restrictions, the code reads.

The original plan also zoned the course as open space, meaning a majority of the property is dedicated to remaining open and free from development, according to City officials.

The proposed expansion of the property requests a change of the property’s zoning to commercial, Leclair said.

“We are not a commercial area,” said Ruthann Levison, president of the Sand Canyon Homeowner’s Association. “The canyon is a special place, and we want to keep it that way.”

Another meeting is planned in support of the process, on Thursday, September 12, at the Sand Canyon Country Club, located at 27734 Sand Canyon Road.

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