SCVNews.com | Aug. 26: Council to Review Hartwell Project, Appoint Planning Commissioner

The Santa Clarita City Council will return from its summer hiatus to meet in regular open session at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Among the items on the council’s agenda are another look at The Hartwell, a condos-and-retail project to be constructed in downtown Newhall on Main Street and the appointment of a new planning commissioner.

The regular public meeting of the council will be held on the first floor of City Hall in the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355.

The council will hold a Public Hearing regarding a request to modify the Hartwell Mixed Use Project, previously considered by the city council on May 13. The developer is requesting to expand into the adjacent property, currently owned by KHTS radio, increasing the project to 98 apartment units and 6,300 square feet of commercial floor area on the corner of Main Street, Market Street and Railroad Avenue.

Information provided in the agenda packet to the council states:

“The modification would expand the project site to include the adjacent KHTS Radio Station property, increasing the number of apartment units to 98 and the commercial floor area to 6,300 square feet (Project), an expansion of approximately 25 percent of the originally approved project.

The revised project site adds one parcel to the previously approved area, bringing the total to six parcels within the OTNSP area, covering approximately one acre. It is located at the three-way corner of Main Street, Market Street, and Railroad Avenue, across the street from the Jan Heidt Newhall Metrolink Station. Three existing buildings on-site were approved to be demolished under the original project: the Mac’s Pool Supply building, the Horseshoe on Main building (previously known as Soundsations), and the historic Masonic Lodge/Courthouse. This proposed modification includes the demolition of the KHTS Radio Station building adjacent to the northern edge of the original Hartwell project site.”

An unexpected vacancy on the Santa Clarita Planning Commission occured after the city council approved Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste’s request to remove her appointee, Denise Lite, from the commission on July 8.

Residents of Santa Clarita were invited to apply to serve the remainder of the unexpired terms which will run through Dec. 31, 2026.

The notice of vacancy attracted 11 applicants: Daniel Faina, Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Jesus Henao, Edward Hill, Steven Hopp, David J. Jimenez, Tony Maldonado, JB Martinez, Prital Patel, Cindy Russo and Jacob Tjoelker.

Weste is the nominating authority for the vacancy.

Also on the agenda is consideration of a Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act resolution approving the proposed financing by The Master’s University and Seminary through the issuance of $65 million in tax-exempt bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority.

The city received a request from California Municipal Finance Authority and The Master’s University and Seminary to conduct a public hearing in order for CMFA to issue tax-exempt revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $65 million for TMU, a nonprofit religious corporation.

The bond funds will be used for the following:

Approximately $21 million to refinance the costs to purchase and modestly improve certain single-family residential properties located within the 21600 block of Cleardale Street, between 24806 and 24864 of Meadview Avenue, within the 21700 block of Oak Orchard Road, within the 21300 and 21600 blocks of Placerita Canyon Road and between 21900 and 22040 of Placerita Canyon Road, between 21705 and 21759 and 21804 and 21926 of Placeritos Boulevard and within the 24700 block of Quigley Canyon Road, all of which were previously acquired for temporary housing of TMU students.

Approximately $7.2 million to refinance the costs to purchase, improve and equip an apartment complex located at 22710 8th Street.

Approximately $10 million to finance the acquisition, improvement and equipping of one or more apartment complexes located within one-half mile of the 22710 8th Street complex all located within the territorial limits of the city.

Approximately $13 million to finance or refinance the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation and equipping of certain educational facilities and amenities including capital improvements and expenditures to academic, student support and related facilities on the TMU main campus generally located at 21726 Placerita Canyon Road.

The residential properties and apartment complexes are expected to be used as campus housing for faculty, staff and temporary student housing primarily for upperclassmen enrolled at TMU.

Proceeds of the bonds will not be used to acquire additional single-family residential housing within the Placerita Canyon area of the city.

View the full agenda below:

City Council
Regular Meeting
8/26/2025 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers

23920 Valencia Blvd. 1st Floor Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Downloads:

Agenda

Agenda Packet

Joint Meeting with
	Board of Library Trustees
	Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency
	Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk may be used also to indicate Mayor/Chair/President, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/Vice President, City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, and City Clerk/Secretary
Invocation
	Ayala
Call to Order
Roll Call
	Roll Call
Flag Salute
Executive Meeting
Awards and Recognitions
	One Thousand Books Before Kindergarten Recognition
Public Participation
Staff Comments
Committee Reports/Councilmember Comments
Public Hearings
1.	MODIFICATION TO THE HARTWELL MIXED USE PROJECT (MASTER CASE 25-089)
	Public Hearing regarding a request to modify the Hartwell Mixed Use Project, previously considered by the City Council on May 13, 2025 (Master Case 24-134), by expanding into the adjacent property, increasing the project to 98 apartment units and 6,300 square feet of commercial floor area on the corner of Main Street, Market Street, and Railroad Avenue.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Public Hearing Notice
	b.	Resolution and Conditions
	c.	Aerial and Zoning Map
	d.	Site & Floor Plans
	e.	Elevations
	f.	Parking Demand Study
	g.	Notice of Determination
	h.	MC24-134 Final Conditions of Approval (available in the City Clerk’s reading file)
2.	THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY AND SEMINARY TAX EQUITY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT (TEFRA) HEARING
	Consideration of a Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act resolution approving the proposed financing by The Master’s University and Seminary through the issuance of $65 million in tax-exempt bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Public Hearing Notice
	b.	Resolution
Unfinished Business
3.	UNSCHEDULED VACANCY ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION
	City Council consider an appointment to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy
	b.	Notice of Unscheduled Vacancy – Extension
	c.	Resolution 91-194
	d.	Local Appointments List
	e.	List of Planning Commission Applicants
	f.	Planning Commission Applications (available in the City Clerk’s Reading File)
Consent Calendar
4.	Minutes of Jul 8, 2025 5:30 PM
5.	Minutes of Jul 8, 2025 6:00 PM
6.	CHECK REGISTER NOS. 15, 16, AND 17
	Check Register No. 15 for the Period 06/13/25 through 06/26/25 and 07/03/25. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period of 06/16/25 through 06/27/25. Check Register No. 16 for the Period 06/27/25 through 07/10/25 and 07/17/25. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period of 06/30/25 through 07/11/25. Check Register No. 17 for the Period 07/11/25 through 07/24/25 and 07/31/25. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period of 07/14/25 through 07/25/25.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Memo – Check Register No. 15
	b.	Memo – Check Register No. 16
	c.	Memo – Check Register No. 17
	d.	Check Register No. 15 (available in the City Clerk’s Reading File)
	e.	Check Register No. 16 (available in the City Clerk’s Reading File)
	f.	Check Register No. 17 (available in the City Clerk’s Reading File)
7.	MEDITATION GARDEN, PROJECT P4032 – PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
	This item considers awarding a construction contract for the Meditation Garden, Project P4032, which will create a tranquil outdoor space for meditation, reflection, and relaxation at Duane R. Harte Park.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Bid Proposal for Estate Design and Construction
	b.	Exhibit A: Conceptual Drawing
	c.	Exhibit B: Project Location Map
8.	PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JACOB GREEN AND ASSOCIATES TO UPDATE THE LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
	This item considers the award of a professional services agreement to update the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which outlines a municipality’s long-term strategy to reduce or eliminate risk to human life, property, and infrastructure from future natural or human-caused disasters. To ensure the plan is relevant and effective, the Federal Emergency Management Agency requires the plan to be updated every five years. The City of Santa Clarita’s plan is due to expire in November 2026.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	JGA Propsal
9.	LAST AND FINAL RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR SUBMITTAL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
	This item considers adoption of a resolution approving the Last and Final Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule. Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 34191.6 (a) (1)(2)(3), successor agencies may submit a Last and Final Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS), and the successor agency has met the conditions for the Last and Final ROPS.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Resolution – Last and Final ROPS
10.	RESOLUTION FOR SUMMARY VACATION OF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE EASEMENT ON KYRA COURT
	This item considers summary vacation of a landscape maintenance easement at 21603 Kyra Court and 21602 Kyra Court.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Resolution
	b.	KyraCourtAerialMap
11.	SUMMARY VACATION OF PORTIONS OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY KNOWN AS PLACERITA CANYON ROAD AND ACCEPTANCE OF EASEMENT FOR TRAIL PURPOSES LOCATED NEAR SIERRA HIGHWAY
	This item considers a summary vacation of portions of the public right-of-way known as Placerita Canyon Road and acceptance of an easement for public use and trail purposes located near Sierra Highway.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Resolution
	b.	Location Map
12.	PURCHASE OF CITY REPLACEMENT VEHICLES
	This item considers awarding contracts for the purchase of a bucket truck, a vactor truck, and two pickup trucks.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Sourcewell Bucket Truck Contract and Quote (available in the City Clerk’s Reading File)
	b.	Sourcewell Vactor Truck Contract and Quote (available in the City Clerk’s Reading File)
	c.	Bid Proposal for Peoria Ford (available in the City Clerk’s Reading File)
13.	CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH HTEC FOR BUS HYDROGEN REFUELING STATION CONSULTING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
	This item considers amending the existing contract with HTEC to provide for Bus Hydrogen Refueling Station Consulting and Project Management services.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
14.	CONTRACT FOR CITYWIDE JANITORIAL SERVICES
	This item considers an increase in expenditure authority for the existing janitorial services contract with Servicon Systems, Inc., to support maintenance and custodial services at designated City facilities.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	Servicon Attachment A – CPI Cost Increase
	b.	2025 CPI Increase Letter 3% (5.12.25)
	c.	SCV Additional Parks quote July 2025
	d.	Servicon Attachment B – Expenditure Authority Increase
15.	PURCHASE OF BIG BELLY TRASH AND RECYCLING SOLAR COMPACTOR UNITS
	This item considers approval of the purchase of ten Big Belly Solar Trash and Recycling Units for placement at City parks to continue standardizing the collection of recyclables and waste.
		City Council Agenda Item Agenda Report
	a.	WAXIE_Quote
	b.	Big Belly Duo Unit
Public Participation II
Staff Comments
Adjournment
	In memory of Hank Arklin, Chad Kampbell, Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, and Dr. John MacArthur
Future Meetings

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