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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - NEWHALL RANCH DEV PROJ (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: Jill Klaiic UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: April 27, 1999 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED NEWHALL RANCH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council receive report from Councilmember. BACKGROUND This item is placed on the Council's agenda at the request of Councilmember Klajic. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the Newhall Ranch project at their meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 1999. The City's position has been to oppose the project unless certain changes were made. The County agreed to changes to the project regarding the management of open space, construction of trails, wildlife corridors, hillside/ridgeline protection, bank stabilization and buffers along the Santa Clara River, protection of groundwater supply, and the funding of construction for libraries and parks. Issues that were not resolved include the funding of future transit needs, staffing of public parks, the construction of a regional/community park, limiting construction in the existing flood plains along the Santa Clara River, and tying the approval of the specific plan to approval of a development agreement. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as determined by Council. FISCAL IMPACTS No fiscal impacts are anticipated by the recommendations listed in this report JJL:VPB:lep \ \ CITYHALL2\DEPT\PBS\COUNCIL\NWLRNCH4.DOC APPIQVED Ag'tnit fte I t APR -27-1999 17:54 VENTURA 6r,.. uF SUPU BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF VENTURA GOVERNMENT CENTER, HALL OF ADMINISTRATION, L 81880 800 SOUTH VICTORIA AVENUE, VENTURA, CALIFORNIA 93008 Mayor Pro Tem Jill Klajic City of Santa Clarity 23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 300 Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Dear Mayor Pro Tem Klajic: 605 654 2226 P.01i02 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SUSAN K. LACEY Chair FRANK SCHILLO KATHY I, LONG JUDY MIKELS JOHN K. FLYNN KATHY I. LONG SUPERVISOR. THIRD DISTRICT (805) 651-2276 FAX: (805)6542226 E-mail: kathy,long®mall.00.vemura.ca.us TOLL FREE NUMBERS: CAMARILLOAA CONCHITAIOJAI (805) 654.5000 EXT. 6542275 ALL OTHER AREAS (800) 660.5474 EXT. 6542276 April 27, 1999 I understand that you have an item on your agenda for this evening to discuss the proposed Newhall Ranch Development Project. I would like to encourage you to consider the total project and the risks this project represents to our commonly connected regions. If the Project proceeds as planned, a new city of approximately 69,000 residents will be built on the Los Angeles/Ventura County line. The investigations made by both the County of Ventura and United Water Conservation District indicate there is a serious risk that the Project will impact both groundwater and surface flows. Based on our independent analysis of the water issues, we feel the state water allocation assumptions have been severely exaggerated, on top of under- estimated groundwater usages As a result, there is a strong probability that the Project will result in increased use of groundwater from the local aquifers, impacting both regions. We feel that Newhall must adequately identify reliable water supplies for the entire project and that deferring a detailed analysis to the tract map stage is impermissible under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Additionally, our County's Flood Control District has joined in the litigation because of concerns with flood flow and construction run-off impacts to the Santa Clara River. Your opposition to this project would greatly enhance the growing regional opposition to this project We share many common resources and your support and opposition to the proposal will enhance our ability to protect the region for all our citizens. t r t+^ P„ DistMEETING n .'�. ,- ITEM NO. - 9 J. ® B Vwmpw