The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency’s July 17 approval of a water supply plan for the proposed Tapia Ranch housing development between Castaic and Tesoro del Valle begins a second developer’s attempt to win project approval from the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission.
Plans have been on the books for a decade to fill in the space between Castaic and Tesoro del Valle in unincorporated LA County territory with new homes. The 2008 recession put the Tapia Ranch project on the back burner, but now the flames have been re-lit.
Developer DACA-Castaic LLC wants to build 405 detached single-family homes on 1,167 acres of undeveloped hillside and canyon land approximately 1.5 miles southeast of Castaic, and about a mile east of Interstate 5.
Approximately 74 percent (858.5 acres) of the project site would be retained as landscaped or natural open space.
DACA-Castaic LLC asked the SCVWA to determine if the agency would be able to provide an adequate water supply if the development received county approval and could then be annexed into the SCVWA’s service area.
The agency’s Water Resources and Watershed Committee reviewed availability of water from the SCVWA-owned Buena Vista/Rosedale Rio Bravo supply and delivered its report, titled Tapia Ranch Water Supply Assignment, at the agency’s July 17 board meeting.
“At this time, SCV Water is only being asked to confirm that sufficient water supply is available for potential provision to the proposed annexation lands,” said Kathie Martin, SCVWA spokesperson. “The committee determined that yes, that amount of water is available, so the resolution to approve the plan was passed.”
The vote was 11-1, with board members Ed and Kathy Colley absent, and Lynne Plambeck casting the lone no vote.
If the entire Tapia Ranch project is eventually approved by the county, SCV Water would provide 489 acre-feet of water per year.
“This is the first step for a party that would like to annex within the SCV Water Agency boundary,” said Steve Cole, SCVWA assistant general manager.
SCVWA’s July 17 approval represents the beginning of a second developer’s attempt to secure county approval of the Tapia Ranch project.
The first attempt was in 2007, when previous property owner Castaic Partners LLC of La Jolla filed the initial paperwork with the county to turn the historic Tapia Ranch into a residential community — just in time for development projects everywhere to grind to a halt.
Read the complete original 2007 Notice of Preparation & Initial Study submitted to the LA County Department of Regional Planning [here].
Eventually, the Franchise Tax Board swooped in and Castaic Partners LLC went out of business.
Now the project is back, under the ownership of DACA-Castaic LLC. DACA stands for Debt Acquisition Company of America, a San Diego-based buyer of tax-lien properties, run by Howard J. Justus.
Justus dusted off the Tapia Ranch plans, hired a project manager (Jon Myhre), set up a website (tapiaranch.com) to promote the development to the surrounding community, and started to pull together the pieces he would need to win Planning Commission approval.
One of those mission-critical pieces is the water supply, which is now lined up.
“Next, (DACA-Castaic LLC) will be going to the Planning Commission and producing a CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) document, or an EIR (environmental impact report), that will fully analyze the impact of the project,” Cole said.
“It should go to the Planning Commission soon,” he said. “The (developer) has been working in parallel, so they were waiting for the (water supply) determination before they could finish up their process with the county.”
After that, the completed proposal will come back to the SCVWA board for final approval of the water plan, Martin said.
“The Scoping Meeting for the EIR will occur on Aug. 16,” said Tony Bell, spokesman for LA County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “It’s very early in the process and not even close to the Regional Planning Commission.”
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58 Comments
STOP BUILDING IN THIS VALLEY NO MORE. and anything built should have solar and grey water
Stop building!
It’s all greed and corporate greed with no regard for the folks in this community
STOP. STOP. STOP.
BUILDING YOU GREEDY
DUMPOFFS!
LEAVE S.C.V. ALONE.!
WE ARE OVER CROWDED ALREADY.
STOP STEALING WATER FROM OTHER HOMES ALREADY BUILT.
?????
They found the water on Mars!
??
We assume the people who are complaining about it either were born here or moved here prior to World War II?
I am proud to say I was Born here. Worked in the onion fields. Carrot fields,scallion fields.
Saw this valley get ruined little by little with concrete buildings. Stealing nature. Killing native wildlfe. No more Deers, bears. I went to Saugus elementary school before it was closed down. I went to Newhall Elementary school. Placerita Jr. High. Hart High School.
Graduated from the first Graduating class of Canyon High School.
What is happening to
Supposedly” OLD TOWN NEWHALL”, is not what it really should look like.
The parking structure on Main St. Is ugly. Looks out of place. Or it could collapse at any time.
I am a Native of THE REAL OLD TOWN NEWHALL. PROUD TO SAY IT AGAIN.
Your uhmmm, comment makes little sense.
The time BEFORE there was ANY water here ISN’T RELEVANT.
What is relevant is our growing water shortage, the increasing cost of it and the overt ludicrous lack of planning for it…
NO DESAL PLANTS
NO RESERVOIRS
NO PLANNED REPARATIONS FOR DAMAGED OR DESTROYED AQUIFERS…
Don’t even start lecturing or admonishing the people.
Anthony De Rubeis If you read the story or any of the documents, you would know exactly where the water comes from and you would know that planning for it is exactly what our water agency does — and it does a great job of it.
Did they find out why there’s water bubbling out of the ground in Centre Pointe? Lots of water being wasted.
Don’t be a smart ass Anthony
SCVTV Santa Clarita- I did indeed read the “story” or should I say empty fairytale since nothing contained in it is proven; all anecdotal.
I see no supporting documents and excuse me but the local agencies that purport to control development and all related aspects of it have a long history of near zero credibility.
So, I’m sure you will “forgive” my skepticism.
Our valley uses 3x its natural supply of water, and has for a long, long time. For every 3 people who turn on the faucet, nothing should come out for 2 of them. Does that happen? No. Why? Only 1 reason. Because of the water planning that our local water purveyors have always done — better than those in most other parts of California. Last year’s “watering days” nonsense is a good example. The Santa Clarita Valley ALWAYS had plenty of water for everyone to water his/her lawn every day of the week. So why the rationing? State law. The state mandated an across-the-board per-capita reduction, regardless of any area’s water availability. We were penalized for everyone else’s bad water management. We had no choice. Not because we didn’t have enough water. We did. BTW the projection for needing desal, last we knew, is 2050.
Past is not prologue. The West is running out of water. Fossil-fuel powered desalination is a positive feedback to the warming tendencies unleashed by 41 years of irresponsibly doing something we knew was going to make stuff really bad. Now nobody can fix it. Pray for Krakatoa.
BTW on the other, completely separate point — we’ve been complaining about overdevelopment in the county for decades. It’s why we finally formed a city 30 years ago.
Phyllis Moffitt – Someone needs to be
SCVTV Santa Clarita – FYI: I was involved with the city formation and the motivations and justification for it.
Unfortunately, LAFCO refused to grant us the rights to obvious contiguous undeveloped land. This of course allowed the retention of controlling new development to the clowns at the LARPC…
This project is no different. THEY, not us are still controlling development. THEY are processing the testimony of various agencies that parade themselves on public record, to tell us how another development is no issue, schools, water, parks, roads and other related infrastructure IS AVAILABLE; as many know, mostly nonsense.
Regarding your other point, yes, WE in the SCV did a spectacular job of conserving water, well beyond our State mandate…what was our reward?
Higher rates.
I acknowledge water availability despite the state sponsored nonsense BUT AT WHAT COST TO US?
Lastly, IDC one bit about “projections” as they have as much credibility as “polls,” but desal would solve the issue FOREVER…and it won’t get done because the state refuses to relinquish that paralyzing control over the people.
wait…so SCVTV likes the growth? You don’t see any issue with the overcrowding or even the water shortage? SMDH
Anthony De Rubeis great job shutting him down
Israel Ceballos Jr – I sincerely thank you for the acknowledgment.
Anthony for the win!
Anthony De Rubeis maybe you should pool up money and buy all undeveloped land and end any further development
Anthony De Rubeis great comments – clearly over the head of SCVTV, which to me by way of their reporting of this story and then their comments back to you, more like they are running PR for SCV.
SCVTV SANTA CLARITA
We can also assume there will be no more water restrictions as well!!!! Sounds like BS to me
Isn’t that AMAZING??
So, all BS aside;
Who got paid off and how much did it take…just curious
I saw the Hollywood fwy and laurel plaza get built as a kid. Saw the Valley turn into ?. Same thing is happening here. It amazing. Supposedly we learn from our mistakes. And the freeways?,,,, That newhall pass was ?? when the earthquake hit in 94. Can’t EVEN imagine if something like that happened again.
Make no mistake; the ONLY THING the LARPC wants is to build the tax base with near zero actual regard for quality of life.
Amazing how they found the water that we didn’t have before. Hurry get those houses built so they can move on and get this place turned into the valley as fast as possible.
Well swell, I’m going outside and water my pots, trees, grass and fill the pool. Then I’m coming in a take a full tub bubble bath and then run the dishwasher after I do two loads of wash! I wonder who used a witching stick and found all that water. I’m so relieved. Who da thunk it!!?????
And be sure to do all that during the peak energy use periods cause they’re probably coming up with some new energy sources for all those new homes, too! What the heck, who do we believe anymore?
Wake up people
Judith
Ive only been here 2 years and between then and now plus construction. I’d say its now equivalent to the 405 north at rush hour and set to get worse with those 21k houses off the 126. Are they seriously considering another 450.. The Santa Clarita valley cant handle the traffic now we’re gonna be solid gridlock when all is said and done.
Santa Clarita Valencia was very nice up until 2-3 years ago.
Detention Center Estates starting the low 1.5 Million
I miss when you posted cows…
Only one road in and out?
Please…The water companies around here charging with they do it is a travesty. They raised the rates during the drought and never lowered them in the year when we had more than enough water. The over development of this community will be at its downfall. So they found a water for 405 homes. What about the other several thousand they are building erratically with no traffic plans in sight.
“””SCVTV Santa Clarita Our valley uses 3x its natural supply of water, and has for a long, long time. For every 3 people who turn on the faucet, nothing should come out for 2 of them. Does that happen? No. Why? Only 1 reason. Because of the water planning that our local water purveyors have always done — better than those in most other parts of California. Last year’s “watering days” nonsense is a good example. The Santa Clarita Valley ALWAYS had plenty of water for everyone to water his/her lawn every day of the week. So why the rationing? State law. The state mandated an across-the-board per-capita reduction, regardless of any area’s water availability. We were penalized for everyone else’s bad water management. We had no choice. Not because we didn’t have enough water. We did. BTW the projection for needing desal, last we knew, is 2050.”””””
*****************************
All the more reason to STOP DEVELOPMENT……!!!!!! …and STOP penalizing the SCVCitizens for the BONEHEAD decisions made by those ‘we’ put in office to PROTECT US….. “Do OUR bidding” as it were.
Isn’t this next door to the prison? That goes well with the super development being build on the 126 across the street from the soon to be busiest landfills in the nation.
Well THAT’S convenient! As if people can’t see what’s going on. Smh.
Wow, this is a great thread that should be passed around so more people can wake up to see how ‘media’ and local government agencies … aka, people with their own special interests… work together to manufacture perception to serve their needs. It’s been mind blowing to witness the transformation of SCV into the San Fernando Valley. The water issues, tho very serious state wide, isn’t the biggest issues we face here. (traffic and crime being higher up the pole in my opinion)
So long SCV were turning into San Fernando valley with a nicer paint job. My family has lived out here since the 50’s and its such a shame what has happened. Crime, drugs, homeless people & traffic is through the roof. I miss the days when Saugus speedway was the loudest thing out here. Now its sirens from fire trucks and sheriffs 24/7 . Not to mention the ghetto bird flying around with the PA on full blast at 3am.
Our government agencies continue to talk out of both sides of their mouth regarding the availability of water and additional freeway capacity for new developments. The 5 Fwy traffic from SCV to parts south is one of the worst in all of Los Angeles, which itself has again been awarded the distinction for the worst traffic in the USA. Obviously, we have been told over and over again that we are short of water, and certainly haven’t learned to manufacture it. But yet our water agency “finds” water!!!??? Are campaign contributions or some other form of pay-offs behind the approvals for new projects?
Robbing from all who were here before this development… shame on you!!
Ever notice “they” always find enough water when the rich asks for it.Wait just a little while and the same “they”will will be screaming “RATION RATION,cant you see we have a severe water shortage in this valley”
they need to stop building , it raises up water price
There might be enough water today, but check back in 5 years and tell me how much is left! Nothing was mentioned about the roads and freeways. What roads are these 1,000 people (405 homes with at least 2 adults each) going to use? Getting across this valley is hard enough today.
The specific answers to your questions will be in the Draft EIR (it hasn’t gotten that far yet); the preliminary answers are here — https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/tapiaranch_nop_20070829.htm
Castaic needs water
Magical drought-proof water supply found by housing developers!
What a coincidence!
Our water use is monitored and we are constantly told to cut back, that we don’t have enough water, and yet, you found some to build more homes. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
When I first looked at the pic of the housing development it reminded me of a Monster from Alien. Now I find it is just monster from our own Liberal money grubbing government here in California.
I lost an apricot tree from last years watering rules. I am watering freely this year. I’m with Shirley and will be running dishwasher, and doing laundry today as well!
When this state can resend water to the Salton sea and restore it to it’s beautiful past, when the state stops SELLING water to NESTLE company for ARROWHEAD water bottles I will conserve water if asked.
There is no restriction on watering this year. If you’re willing to pay for your water consumption (which is more expensive the more water you use), you are free to consume.
Gosh, all the excitement over a little water…
If you want to know where our new (and same old) Water Lords found that new water, you only have to look up the sources noted in the story/press release. Here is the key data:
“Buena Vista/Rosedale Rio Bravo supply” is the named source of the water needs of the next/newest/whichever-gets-built-first development. Don’t know who, what, where that is?
Ask the Castaic Lake Water Agency* who bought those water rights years ago up in the San Joaquin Valley.
*Oh, by the way our newest saviors of the SCV currently known as SCVWater are the newly painted up and re-dressed Castaic Lake Water Agency, who essentially bought up all the rest of the water rights in the SCV by purchasing or getting out the vote to take over the other small water agencies.
Y’all are coming to the party just a bit late to P&M about what’s happening. The deal is done, signed, sealed and delivered through the approval of the State Legislature where the bills to allow this were carefully shepherded through the process by our local representatives (or at least some of them).
And don’t worry about how we got here ’cause its too late to change it. What worries me is the chance that some other gov’t agency might actually audit all of the actions of the last 10 years and find that something ain’t right. That would be not only interesting, but could truly eff-up almost everything currently going on around the SCV.
Except for the Newhall Land and Framing projects. LACO won’t ever let the west end of the SCV go to waste when the county can make money off of it.