If you’ve been around town awhile, you might wonder what ever happened with the 4,000-home Northlake community that was supposed to be built between I-5 and Castaic Lake.
After all, the county approved the project’s specific plan way back in 1992.
A number of things happened. Some of the homes were built, along with an elementary school, but then the project stalled. Development companies came and went; some went bust. A mild recession hit, then a heavier one. Most of the 1,330-acre project area has remained vacant, and the Castaic Union School District has suffered the pangs of declining enrollment as the additional kids who were supposed to populate the new school never came.
Meantime, the community moved forward. The Hart District identified and started construction on a high school in Castaic that will provide a place for kids in future developments such as NorthLake to learn; and the county improved and expanded facilities such as the Castaic Sports Complex so they’ll have places to recreate.
Now the current property owner, NorthLake Associates LLC – a wing of a Century City real estate investment group – is moving forward with the main part of the project, which the county is calling Phase 2.
Tonight (Wednesday) at 6 p.m., the county Regional Planning Department will hold a “scoping meeting” at NorthLake Hills Elementary School, 32545 Ridge Route Road.
The purpose of the meeting is to hear the public’s ideas about the “scope” of a new Environmental Impact Report that will be drafted for the new housing and commercial and industrial development (Phase 2 envisions 305,000 square feet of industrial space and 67,000 square feet of commercial space, along with the 3,150 additional homes).
The county has already determined that the project will have impacts that will need to be addressed in the environmental documents, including air quality, hazardous materials, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gases, water quality, land use, noise, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, and public utilities.
Also, the county thinks the project will not have any appreciable impact on aesthetics, agricultural resources, mineral resources or population and housing, so it’s not planning to require those things to be addressed in the EIR – unless it hears otherwise from the public.
This isn’t the only opportunity for the public to weigh in on the scope of the EIR; the county will accept comments through April 22. (Don’t post your comments on this website; send them directly to the county’s Department of Regional Planning, Special Projects Section, 320 West Temple Street Room 1362, Los Angeles, CA 90012).
After the EIR is drafted, there will be additional opportunities for the public to provide input – basically, to say whether you think the EIR adequately addresses all of the issues.
[READ THE NOP/INITIAL STUDY]
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129 Comments
Moving forward but we have no water. So stupid.
Exactly! They should build more water storage tanks instead…
Exactly! They should build more water storage tanks instead…
Exactly!
Exactly!
Building tanks won’t produce water
Building tanks won’t produce water
We need a pipeline frommareas that get alot of snow and we need to not be building a bullet train waste of money
We need a pipeline frommareas that get alot of snow and we need to not be building a bullet train waste of money
Like Santa Clarita needs anymore homes or people. Traffic is so bad all the time.
Great more traffic by my home
This is a bad idea! We can’t deal with the water/chloride issue without these home or the massive community that Is being built along the 126!
Such a moronic idea! Our freeways are backed up enough! Also aren’t we in a drought?
Hey! I know what we’ll do while we’re in the middle of an historic drought! Let’s build more and more and more homes! Yeah, that makes sense!
It would be nice if the community had a say in this. I’ve lived here since I was 5, traffic in this town is insane! Drive by the mall at any time of the day and notice all the cars in the parking lot, then take a look at the streets, they’re full of cars! Great idea Santa Clarita
Did you actually read the article? 1) Public has lots of opportunity to provide input. 2) This has nothing to do with the City of Santa Clarita. This is a County matter.
Did you actually read the article? 1) Public has lots of opportunity to provide input. 2) This has nothing to do with the City of Santa Clarita. This is a County matter.
Decision Makers – tell me what your long term water provision solutions are before we have this conversation. Does money trump common sense yet again?
Wow, they’re building them even though the ground is shaking in that area. Pity the people who buy there.
“I…Drink…Your…Milkshake! I drink it up!”
Oh how wonderful!!!! They must have found water for everyone! They certainly wouldn’t continue going forward with a project that won’t have enough water. What a joke are these “powers that be”. And don’t even get started on the horrendous traffic in our town!
Yes they would, they have no common sense. No water, oh who needs water anyway. Pitiful.
Yes they would, they have no common sense. No water, oh who needs water anyway. Pitiful.
Oh so the drought must be over? Stupid ass greedy people.
I’d give back all the stores and conveniences if they took the new homes with them
Obviously the drought can’t be as bad as they are saying.
Obviously the drought can’t be as bad as they are saying.
You mean the area that’s always on fire because of the freeway fires? Lol
You mean the area that’s always on fire because of the freeway fires? Lol
Oh great…the drought is over!!
Oh great…the drought is over!!
What a waste
What a waste
So stupid! More homes besides the ones along the 126 that are coming but yet we don’t have water! Traffic will be a nightmare getting out of this valley.
So stupid! More homes besides the ones along the 126 that are coming but yet we don’t have water! Traffic will be a nightmare getting out of this valley.
NO WATER!!!!!!
NO WATER!!!!!!
I wonder how many of you “furious” commenters will actually send comments to the Department of Regional Planning and participate? Getting involved takes more than posting on facebook.
I wonder how many of you “furious” commenters will actually send comments to the Department of Regional Planning and participate? Getting involved takes more than posting on facebook.
Water water water
Water water water
It’s to bad gov. Brown doesn’t read all your post
It’s to bad gov. Brown doesn’t read all your post
Stefanie Leigh Isham
Stefanie Leigh Isham
Great story, Leon. Good thing you’re back.
Great story, Leon. Good thing you’re back.
where are they gonna get water?
where are they gonna get water?
Guillermo Medrano:)
Guillermo Medrano:)
Brian Hoover
Brian Hoover
Thanks for sharing Jennifer Glass Colgan :)
Thanks for sharing Jennifer Glass Colgan :)
Let’s see….we’ve been told we need to cut back on water 25 to 35% and that the days of green, lush lawns will be a thing of the past but they are moving forward and building more homes. Who are these morons who are approving this?? Unbelievsble!!
Let’s see….we’ve been told we need to cut back on water 25 to 35% and that the days of green, lush lawns will be a thing of the past but they are moving forward and building more homes. Who are these morons who are approving this?? Unbelievsble!!
Lame
Lame
Bring on the traffic!!!! So dumb and yes what about the drought ????
Bring on the traffic!!!! So dumb and yes what about the drought ????
Build on I say we can always use more housing, yeehaaaaa
Oh joy of joys…more people with fewer resources.
Cons; I5 added congestion, more people crammed in, increased water consumption, school overcrowding… Pros; ??????
It’s always “not in my backyard”… This was planned years ago…,if more people took the time to read the general plans of where they are moving, maybe they’d move somewhere else…, just sayin…..
And all of it funneling through a single road and a single oversize intersection with a metered three-to-one-lane onramp to the Interstate …
It’s very important that we build housing for all of the illegals that jerry brown welcomed into your state. They have essentially taken back California ..
Can you also please provide jobs and water to the people that already live here in castaic????
This wont really happen. You will build 10 or 30 houses…..that’s what I see, unless water and money starts falling from the sky
I won’t start worrying until I see actual construction. How long have we been waiting for a high school.
Lived in SCV since grade school before traffic, before a mall when onion fields loomed. Glad you all relocated and wish now there was no traffic. You all moved here to young new thriving neighborhoods now to have an opinion. Give me a break! Call the planning committee.
Lived in SCV since grade school before traffic, before a mall when onion fields loomed. Glad you all relocated and wish now there was no traffic. You all moved here to young new thriving neighborhoods now to have an opinion. Give me a break! Call the planning committee.
I agree Jackie… I was here to when the smell of onions flew through the air. Even when the whole street of Lyons Cyn was called Pico Cyn . It was a two lane grave road. The only store in town was Phil’s Martket next to the Plaza movie house. I was born in San Fernando because Glolden State Hosiptal wasn’t built yet. Now thats gone too!! Sad to say, I’m NOT really a 100 years old I’m just 56. Times they are a changing!!!
I agree Jackie… I was here to when the smell of onions flew through the air. Even when the whole street of Lyons Cyn was called Pico Cyn . It was a two lane grave road. The only store in town was Phil’s Martket next to the Plaza movie house. I was born in San Fernando because Glolden State Hosiptal wasn’t built yet. Now thats gone too!! Sad to say, I’m NOT really a 100 years old I’m just 56. Times they are a changing!!!
Just curious – where were the complaints 23 years ago when the county approved this project? And if you moved here since then an didn’t know … didn’t your Realtor disclose the fact that tens of thousands of not-yet-built homes have already been approved for our valley, and that the SCV’s population is scheduled to double again in the next 25 years?
Just curious – where were the complaints 23 years ago when the county approved this project? And if you moved here since then an didn’t know … didn’t your Realtor disclose the fact that tens of thousands of not-yet-built homes have already been approved for our valley, and that the SCV’s population is scheduled to double again in the next 25 years?
All that was approved before most of us lived here smarty pants. Hasley hills was built in’97, Hillcrest parkway was built in early 2000. And Northlake homes that are there now were built right before the crash. I guess the inmates at pitches should have complained?
I’ve lived here since ’95 and knew about this since then. I’m only 22 now but I’ve lived in castaic my whole life and I’m happy to see growth. It used to be a very quaint town but now it’s on it’s way to being a large city. I’ve been gone for 5 years in the military and I can’t wait to come back to all this. (Not sarcasm I truly am excited)
Nope. Did not know.
By the time they’re done. It will look like Lake LA. Great idea dummies. Just stay out of Tapia canyon.
By the time they’re done. It will look like Lake LA. Great idea dummies. Just stay out of Tapia canyon.
look at that water deprived lake!
Where they gonna get water for those homes? We in a drought, we on even and odd days to use water,
Where they gonna get water for those homes? We in a drought, we on even and odd days to use water,
Nobody stopped you from moving there so why should they be stopped?
Nobody stopped you from moving there so why should they be stopped?
Let’s keep building homes when we are in a drought all those new houses need water
Let’s keep building homes when we are in a drought all those new houses need water
Big Ag corporate develops land. That’s what they do. That’s how they make millions, and how they put people in office who will let them do it. If we don’t want it, we have to run, fund, and vote for different folks.
Big Ag corporate develops land. That’s what they do. That’s how they make millions, and how they put people in office who will let them do it. If we don’t want it, we have to run, fund, and vote for different folks.
Join up with SCOPE too.
Join up with SCOPE too.
Robert Maikisch
Born and raised In Santa Clarita .. I get on the 14 south off Sierra Hwy at 5am every morning ready for traffic. And then drive into Santa Clarita after 6pm still ready to be into traffic.. Santa Clarita streets are normal compared to the hwys… How bout you learn more about your city and complain less. Or suggest instead of complaining. People tend to listen more when you’re being positive about a complaint..
Who are the builders in this project?
Wher is the water going to come from to support 4000 new homes, there idiots!
That’s it!! I’m done here. Was a nice place to live even 15 years ago. No more. Selling and moving out!!!
Just idiotic. Home values will be toast due to DWI so it’s a waste.
There goes the neighborhood.
For all of the above…That’s. Why. I. Left.
Once again… Where’s this water coming from?
Once again… Where’s this water coming from?
I would suggest that all the complaining parties go down to the County office and file a request for records and view the documents that were approved back in 1992. That way when you are done reading them, you will have an understanding on the what you “had” an opportunity to complain about back then. For those of you not familiar with the process, there is a study and a part of the EIR that discusses the future use of water etc…which is calculated and approved. For those of you too young to have been able to attend the meetings back then…your the lucky recipient of what a was approved through a legal process known as Planning. County Planning…not City.
I would suggest that all the complaining parties go down to the County office and file a request for records and view the documents that were approved back in 1992. That way when you are done reading them, you will have an understanding on the what you “had” an opportunity to complain about back then. For those of you not familiar with the process, there is a study and a part of the EIR that discusses the future use of water etc…which is calculated and approved. For those of you too young to have been able to attend the meetings back then…your the lucky recipient of what a was approved through a legal process known as Planning. County Planning…not City.
I would suggest that all the complaining parties go down to the County office and file a request for records and view the documents that were approved back in 1992. That way when you are done reading them, you will have an understanding on the what you “had” an opportunity to complain about back then. For those of you not familiar with the process, there is a study and a part of the EIR that discusses the future use of water etc…which is calculated and approved. For those of you too young to have been able to attend the meetings back then…your the lucky recipient of what a was approved through a legal process known as Planning. County Planning…not City.
I would suggest that all the complaining parties go down to the County office and file a request for records and view the documents that were approved back in 1992. That way when you are done reading them, you will have an understanding on the what you “had” an opportunity to complain about back then. For those of you not familiar with the process, there is a study and a part of the EIR that discusses the future use of water etc…which is calculated and approved. For those of you too young to have been able to attend the meetings back then…your the lucky recipient of what a was approved through a legal process known as Planning. County Planning…not City.
Oh yes…more homes for the EBT card holders! Time to move.
Melanie Imber-Baker
Developers don’t care about the community…they come, build, and go on their merry way! Stop building houses in California…we need a moratorium on building.
So let’s just do the numbers for unbuilt proposal on JUST the west side of the Valley – Mission and Landmark phases of Newhall Ranch already approved but being legally challenged – 6000 units, Homestead phase 3 of Newhall Ranch in processing 3400 units, Entrada North 1250 units, Entrada south, 1150 units and now this 3150 units in Castaic. That’s around 15,000 houses proposed. That’s a lot of housing units when there is no water and everyone must cut back by 25% over their last year’s usage. Could it be time to re-think sprawl development? No way can that many houses be sold, but then they are all approved, they will show up sooner or later.
We shouldn’t be building where there isn’t enough water, that is just plain stupid.
Not to mention the traffic problems the community described at the hearing last night, Just one way out for thousands of people. In the face of a wildfire, this could be a real catastrophe.
Don’t forget a number of 499-home projects inside and outside of the city, to slip under the 500-home “water threshold.” :) Of course, regardless of whether it’s “stupid,” it’s misleading to suggest that “we” (the city? county?) should or shouldn’t “be building.” “We” aren’t building anything. The government can’t stop a private property owner from building on his/her own property whenever he/she wants to. All the government can do is require that it happen in an orderly manner.
I wonder how they are going to deal with all the oil lines and telecommunication lines running through those hills. It will cost a fortune to relocate them.
The original Northlake plan included a High School and a golf course.
I would like those to remain in the plan. Well the High School can become a park since one is allegedly under construction now.
We have no water! Quit building and asking for more water conservation from current residents!
We have no water! Quit building and asking for more water conservation from current residents!
No water and more traffic! Exactly what the SCV needs! Ridiculous!
Where’s the water to serve these homes.
Where’s the water to serve these homes.
So where is the new high school going to be the new fire station the sheriff station those were the complaints the last time
And the roads were not wide enough to turn a fire engine around so insurance rates would be too high
One of the reasons the last construction company went out of business was because they had to pay for the high school
The high school is a non issue now with Castaic HS under construction. There is now a Sheriff sub-station at Castaic Lake and the Fire Dept. has had a station in Castaic for years. Complaints resolved.
Why so many double posts and just other peoples names as posts in the comments?
double posts – don’t know; though it could be the same reason as: people’s names – when you see someone’s face on a post, that post comes through Facebook. On Facebook, people “tag” each other to draw their attention to a post. That’s what you are seeing.
I really want Castaic to become the town it was supposed to be years ago. Bring back restaurants, sidewalks and storefronts. Make the High School a priority. Provide a “Rapid Transit ” to and fro downtown.
Make the Lake area a tourist spot with restaurant with lake view. Bring a zip line from hill top to lake taking a plunge.
Beautify Castaic as it is more than a truck stop and titty bar.
where’s the t-bar?
Run down building on gas station row