The Santa Clarita City Council continued a hearing for a proposed mixed-use development in Newhall until October after public concerns with the Wiley Canyon project.

During their regular meeting Tuesday night, the Santa Clarita City Council determined that the hearing regarding Master Case 21-086, the former Smiser Mule Ranch site, would be continued to October due to concerns with the project.

Specifically, several members of the public noted that they were concerned with the project’s compliance with the city’s general plan and the adequacy of the environmental impact report (EIR).

Councilmember Laurene Weste and Marsha McLean both suggested continuing the hearing to a new date to give the applicant more time to work with city staff and the community to address these issues and improve the project before it is considered again.

“I have struggled with this for a while…There are a lot of people, a lot of concerns with this project, and I think that there are opportunities here to allow us to do a better job with this project, and maybe to satisfy some of the concerns for many people that are opposed,” Weste said.

On Tuesday, the city council was originally scheduled to discuss approving a contract increase from $239,960 to $335,200 for the Wiley Canyon Development Project.

Hunt Braly, a partner at Poole Shaffery representing the applicant, noted that the developers would require direction to make modifications, as at the moment, they have not been provided with actionable specifics to guide their proposal changes.

“Our challenge with another continuance is absolutely no knowledge with any specificity of what changes are being requested and then understanding for the planning staff what that would mean to us as far as any further analysis. with

The development consists of a four-story senior living facility, ground-floor commercial space, and 379 apartment units within three planning areas on the old Smiser Mule Ranch, approximately 31-acre site east of Interstate 5 and west of Wiley Canyon Road.

The motion passed with four votes in favor and Councilmember Bill Miranda voting against.

The hearing for Master Case 20-086 is scheduled to be continued at the Oct.22 City Council meeting.