At Tuesday night’s Santa Clarita City Council meeting, councilmembers approved a new five-year strategic roadmap for the city’s future and moved forward with a new landscape maintenance district in Sand Canyon.

The Tuesday night City Council meeting began with a proclamation recognizing Black History Month.

“This month is an opportunity to celebrate those achievements across every field, from science and education to arts, public service and, of course, social justice,” said Mayor Laurene Weste during the proclamation.

The proclamation highlights the accomplishments of leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, Jackie Robinson, Maya Angelou and Thurgood Marshall, their importance in history.

“As we observe Black History Month, we are reminded that the pursuit of equality and dignity is a crucial, crucial role that each of us must play intensively,” said Weste. “We continue to build a community where every individual feels respected, valued and loved.

A New Five-Year Plan: Pathway Forward

In new business, the Council approved the City’s proposed five-year strategic plan titled “Santa Clarita Pathway Forward.”

The plan builds on previous strategic plans and outlines approximately 80 action items across six themes.

In the strategic plan document, City Manager Ken Striplin wrote that Santa Clarita “has a long-standing tradition of excellence and a reputation for high-quality living, exceptional customer service, and stellar parks, facilities, trails, open space, and more.” 

He added that the 2030 Pathway Forward “serves as our five-year blueprint – a roadmap for aligning resources, achieving milestones and investing in the infrastructure and services that matter most.”

The proposed five-year plan includes:

• Completion and programming of The Rink Sports Pavilion
• Rehabilitation and expanded programming at Hart Park
• Pursuing acquisition of the former Santa Clarita Elementary School site
• Development of an Affordable Housing Strategy
• Efforts to increase Main Street parking through a public-private partnership
• Expansion of open space acquisition and beautification programs
• Aquatic Center rehabilitation and major infrastructure projects
• Continued road repairs, sidewalk improvements and park upgrades
• Implementation of new internal technology systems to improve efficiency
• Enhanced law enforcement support, traffic safety initiatives and emergency preparedness efforts

Sand Canyon Landscape Maintenance District

During a public hearing, the City Council approved adding the Sand Canyon Plaza development into the city’s Landscape Maintenance District.

The project, first approved in 2017, includes 580 homes, about 45,000 square feet of retail space and 147,000 square feet of assisted living facilities.

By forming this maintenance zone, property owners within the development will pay for the upkeep of landscaping and related improvements. That includes maintaining plants and trees, running irrigation systems, covering utility costs and setting aside money for future repairs or replacements of infrastructure within the area.

The total annual cost for maintaining those improvements is estimated at about $82,600. Property assessments are expected to begin in the 2026–27 fiscal year, as long as a majority of property owners do not formally oppose the plan.

Community Needs Assessment Results

Councilmembers also received the results of the 2026-27 Community Needs Assessment Survey conducted as part of the Community Development Block Grant Program.

The City receives approximately $1.4 million annually in CDBG funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development “to assist low- and moderate-income residents in the areas of housing and expanded economic opportunities.” 

A total of 314 individuals completed the survey. 

The highest-ranked priorities included affordable housing for seniors and families, services for neglected and abused children, youth programs, anti-crime initiatives and improvements to parks and recreation facilities.

No formal action was required on the item. The 2026-27 Annual Action Plan is expected to return to the Council in April.

The meeting adjourned in memory of Tom Clark and Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas.

The next Santa Clarita City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

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