Santa Clarita City staffers provide updates on various aspects of the Newhall redevelopment plan.

Although the back-in parking issue spurred the hottest debate at last night’s Newhall redevelopment meeting, it certainly wasn’t the only (or even the most important) item on the agenda. Chris Price and Paul Brotzman provided updates on the various aspects of the Newhall redevelopment plan as it stands now.

Library Project Area

The so-called Library Project is the area at Spruce Street and Lyons Avenue where businesses have already been notified that eminent domain proceedings are, well… eminent.

The Santa Clarita City Council is expected to approve the City’s appraisals of these businesses at the August 28th City Council meeting, and then the "negotiations" will begin to "buy" these properties from the current owners. Affected owners include White Light Chiropractic Center, Antique Flower Garden, CarQuest Auto Parts, and the tenants of the building that houses Just Passin’ Thru.

These businesses have already been notified that the eminent domain process will begin if there is no agreement in the negotiation process within 30 days after the appraisals are submitted for their review. This is a forced sale, not an option for these property owners.

Paul Brotzman stated at last night’s meeting that these business owners should look to move in about 24 months, stating that it will take that long to complete the planning process for the new building. The library itself has been cut down from the initial planned 65,000 square feet to a possible 20,000 square feet, although nothing has yet been approved by the Los Angeles County Library system. The remainder of the unused space, or approximately 45,000 square feet, will be used for either retail or office space. Or make that 65,000sf of office/retail space if the library doesn’t happen, which is a definite possibility (or is that probability?).

Now wouldn’t it be a shame to chase away all of these long-standing Newhall businesses for just another strip mall?

Historic Buildings

Both Chris Price and Paul Brotzman stated that the current intent is to keep all historic buildings intact, including the old jail (Antique Flower Garden) and the old theatre (American Legion Hall). However, they also made it clear that it’s up to the City Council to decide the fate of these buildings. The owner of the Antique Flower Garden has expressed concern that the old jail would be moved, so we’ll have to wait and see what really happens here.

Bye-Bye San Fernando Road

According to the City’s plans, San Fernando Road will cease to exist as the Newhall Redevelopment Plan proceeds. What used to be called San Fernando Road will become a schizophrenic conglomerate of confusing name changes.

The area from the 14 Freeway to what is being renamed Main Street will be called Newhall Avenue, and the City will bear the costs of all CalTrans signage changes on the freeways. This will supposedly make people more aware that the freeway exit is for Newhall, theoretically driving more shoppers Newhall-bound to the redeveloped area (HUH???).

To make things worse, the newly-renamed Newhall Avenue will change names to Main Street, and then to Railroad Avenue, and then one more time to Bouquet Canyon at some point (currently slated for the area where Magic Mountain Blvd. crosses San Fernando Road). Talk about confusing! That’s 4 names for one small stretch of road.

North Newhall Area

The North Newhall area, where many park for the annual Cowboy Festival on the other side of the railroad tracks, is still in limbo. The needed upgrades to the railroad crossings have not been approved, nor does it look like they will be approved unless the City finds a way to build a bridge over the tracks. Expansion of the existing railroad crossing and moving that crossing to the Lyons Avenue area instead have also been denied.

Assuming that the railroad crossing situation is resolved at some point, the Lyons/Dockweiler extension through The Masters College area would also have to be worked out with a revision to The Masters College’s master plan and a relocation of their main entrance to the Dockweiler side in place of their current entrance on Placerita Canyon.

There is also a potential hotel site in the North Newhall area, although no potential hotel operator has been identified.

Back-In Parking

Comments were solicited on the controversial back-in parking issue, with some for and most against this plan. Brotzman stated that the City Council wanted to do a 6-month trial of the back-in parking plan, but that the time period could possibly be shortened. One of the most viable complaints, other than the fact that nobody quite understands this scheme, was that people attempting to enjoy dining at the outdoor cafe’s planned for the area will be forced to choke on car exhaust with back-in parking in place.

Passing the Buck

The City staff (Brotzman and Price) were quick to point out that all decisions are ultimately made by the Santa Clarita City Council. However, since the City Council relies on the City’s staff (i.e. Brotzman and Price) for recommendations, it would seem that both are somewhat intertwined. It’s hard to say who’s really running the show here, with many present at the meeting complaining that the City Council ignores their comments, complaints and requests on a regular and ongoing basis.

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