The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a new Castaic housing project including 137 new homes at their regular meeting on Tuesday.

In total the project is expected to include the creation of 157 lots, with four open space lots, two private recreation lots and 14 public facility lots in addition to the 137 residential lots.

The development is to be located across nearly 187 acres in unincorporated Santa Clarita at 28701 Sloan Canyon Road in Castaic.

In order to move forward with the project, several administrative items have to be processed, including rezoning the area for residential use and approval of a tentative tract map, conditional use permits and oak tree removal permits.

Additionally, an “Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Requirement” was recently approved by the Board of Supervisors in Los Angeles County, but remains pending as of Tuesday. The ordinance requires new developments to set aside a certain amount of units for affordable housing.

However, the developers alternatively proposed to the planning commission a contribution of $4,000 per dwelling to Santa Clarita homeless non-profit A Bridge To Home rather than be required to meet the potential affordable housing requirements.

“Bridge to Home is currently under construction for the development of a new family shelter housing project with eight units, along with a permanent shelter with interim and crisis housing of 60 beds,” wrote Bridge to Home Executive Director Michael Foley in a letter supporting the project and donation. “Our new project will not only assist those experiencing homelessness but provide longer-term housing for those in need and assist in moving our clients into permanent affordable housing.”

When it takes effect, the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Requirement would require five percent of the baseline units for a project site be set-aside for affordable housing.

“The Commission voted 3- 2 to recommend approval of the Project to the County Board of Supervisors with a request for the Board to consider the Commission’s strong desire for an on-site affordable housing set-aside,” reads the report from the Planning Commission. 

If approved, the contributions would come to approximately $550,000 in total.

Due to its geographic location, the development falls outside the jurisdiction of the City of Santa Clarita and city officials have not issued an official stance on the project.

However, Mayor Cameron Smyth did issue support for the contribution to A Bridge To Home towards the construction of a permanent shelter for those experiencing homelessness in lieu of enforcing the affordable housing requirements. 

“I personally believe the mitigation agreement would be a substantial benefit in making this project a reality,” wrote Smyth. “The funds made available through this agreement would significantly contribute to the launch of the capital campaign and would produce additional private donations to make this shelter project a reality to serve individuals and families in Santa Clarita for years to come.”

In his letter to the Board of Supervisors supporting the project, Foley also noted that the funds would be contributed to the Los Angeles County Development Authority and then available for application by the nonprofit.

“We commend the developer of The Reserve for offering the voluntary contribution of $4,000 per unit,” wrote Foley. “We urge you to approve this project.”

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