August 26 City Council Meeting Recap
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. Commission Berger preceded over several high profile planning projects and his input can be scene in many place in Santa Clarita including the Madison Apartments and projects along Town Center Drive.
In addition 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 it’s first reading to September 9th, where the second reading will be held by the City Council. This amendment to the Unified Development Code allows the City review projects that might impact the City’s historical resources and gives the City some lattitude when determing a properties qualifications as a potential or existing historical resource.
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 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 a packed house of community members, the City Council directed staff to get started on a three month trial project that would see a physical barrier put in place at the intersection of Alaminos and Benz to restrict and discourage ”cut through” traffic through the immediate residential neighborhoods. The trial program is set to end after three months at which time the next course of action will be decided.
