The expansion to the Westfield Valencia Town Center mall was approved by the Santa Clarita Planning Commission Tuesday night.
The Patios Connection project at the Valencia mall — includes a “luxury” cinema, gym and Costco, as well as a 30-pump gas station near the former Sears location, according to Westfield.
The layout features a 2,138 square-foot expansion to The Canyon Santa Clarita, which would meet with a 34,185 square-foot gym. Additionally, a new 32,000 square-foot luxury cinema would be built facing the east end of The Patios, according to City documents.
The proposed Costco would include a 275-space rooftop parking lot, and would also encompass the northeast and southeast sides of the cinema, with the ramp to the rooftop parking at the southern side of the property, according to a layout provided by the Planning Commission.
Some spoke out against the expansion, citing environmental impact and safety hazards.
A business owner from Citrus Street, raised concerns over the traffic and how it may be impacted and flow is expected to work.
Currently Citrus St. is two lanes in each direction, and the change would reconfigure the street to have one lane in each direction with a turning lane in the center.
Renee Berlin, Chairperson of the Planning Committee, questioned the safety of the large and the newer larger intersections regarding pedestrian safety. As the City ages, pedestrian safety and the length of time for a pedestrian walking cycle is a concern.
See Related: Westfield Valencia Town Center Costco, Luxury Cinema Details Outlined By Planning Commission
Those who were in favor of the project were excited about the rejuvenation in business in the area.
“As a local business owner, I like to see a reinvestment and I look forward to signing on a 10-year agreement,” said David Gunther, owner of J. David Clothiers. “I was nervous about parking but after talking to mall management, I’m totally comfortable.”
As a showing of support to the project, multiple business owners in the Valencia Town Center claimed to have signed an additional 10-year lease.
The expansion proposed for the Westfield Valencia Town Center includes demolishing the 128,558 square foot building previously occupied by Sears and constructing a 153,930 square foot Costco, according to Planning and Economic Development Manager Jason Crawford.
Watch Live: Valencia Town Center mall, Costco expansion reviewer by Planning Commission.Read more: http://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-news/business/westfield-valencia-town-center-costco-luxury-cinema-details-outlined-by-planning-commission-308923
Posted by KHTS Radio on Tuesday, January 21, 2020
The Santa Clarita City Council is not required to approve the project, according to City planners.
There is a 15-day appeal period before developers are able to commence on constriction, according to City officials.
The Patios Connection is expected to complete construction by late 2022.
For the full Valencia Town Center mall expansion proposal, read here.
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