The City of Santa Clarita‘s City Council was back in session Tuesday, August 26, after their summer hiatus. The full agenda included recognitions for outgoing Planning Commissioner Michael Berger and outgoing Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commissioner Laura Hauser.
Both commissioners served the community diligently during their tenure. Commissoner Hauser worked on several high profile projects including the design of the expansion of the Sports Complex and the creation of Todd Longshore Park. Commissioner Berger served during the review of several high profile planning projects and his input can be seen in many places in Santa Clarita including the Madison Apartments and projects along Town Center Drive.
In addition to a full consent calendar, there were a handful of agenda items that generated comments. Public Hearing Agenda item 11: AMENDMENT TO THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW was moved from its first reading to September 9, where the second reading will be held by the City Council. This amendment to the Unified Development Code allows the City to review projects that might impact the City’s historical resources.
The final agenda item of the evening was Unfinished Business Agenda Item 12: BENZ ROAD TRAFFIC ISSUES AND RESPONSE TO NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING. The issue of traffic in the Saugus area, specifically along Benz Road and surrounding neighborhoods, has been something the City has been trying to remedy for the last five years with numerous public meetings and studies taking place over that time. On Tuesday night, City staff presented alternatives to the City Council, based on their research and outreach efforts with the community. After much debate and input from community members, the City Council directed staff to get started on a three-month trial project that will locate a diagonal diverter at the intersection of Alaminos and Benz to restrict and discourage ”cut-through” traffic through the surrounding residential neighborhoods. After the three-month trial, City staff will report back to the City Council. The City Council’s direction also gave the resources and latitude necessary for staff to use speed humps.
The City of Santa Clarita‘s City Council regular meetings are held each second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the Council Chambers at Santa Clarita City Hall located at 23920 Valencia Blvd. Agendas and minutes can be found at the City’s web site. Meetings are broadcast live on Time Warner Channel 20 and streamed on the City’s web site.
Additional information regarding the latest City programs and projects are highlighted on the City’s multi-media web page – Media Central. Santa Clarita City Briefs is an online source of information highlighting recent events with the City of Santa Clarita.
City Council Public Comment In Brief
August 27, 2008With the City Council back in session, the public participation portion of the August 26 City Council meeting focused on several issues.
One item of concern for some residents was the newly installed Southern California Edison transmission towers. The towers were installed near the Belcaro senior housing development and are part of the Antelope-Pardee Transmission project. The concern among residents is over visual blight. Southern California Edison installed large lattice steel towers (LST) ranging over 200 feet tall. During the comments period, some residents conveyed their thanks to the City for their proactive efforts to help resolve this matter.
On August 25, City of Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar along with Los Angeles Country 5th District Supervisor, Michael D. Antonovich sent a letter: ltr-antelope-pardee-500kv-transmission-project-082508 to Alan J. Fohrer, Chairman and CEO of Southern California Edison. The letter expressed a list of concerns with the use of the unsightly lattice steel towers. Furthermore, the letter requested removal and replacement of the unsightly towers in favor of less obtrusive tubular steel poles.
Recently news about the towers was covered by the Daily News: Utility towers protested in Santa Clarita
The issue of the City’s parkland was also brought up. The City of Santa Clarita’s long term stated plan is to provide five acres of parkland for every one thousand residents. With the newly completed Todd Longshore Park in Canyon Country and upcoming expansion of both Central Park and the Sports Complex, the City of Santa Clarita remains firm in its commitment to meet these parkland goals.
This long stated goal will be included in the One Valley, One Vision general plan.
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