header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
July 19
1915 - Ince, Griffith, Sennett form Triangle Film Corp.; it produces & distributes early William S. Hart films [story]
Triangle Films


| Thursday, Jan 9, 2020
Castaic Area Town Council
Ben Steckler, entitlement manager with Fiedler Group, right, presents plans for a proposed gas station development in Castaic to members of the Castaic Area Town Council during a public hearing on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. Emily Alvarenga/The Signal

 

Due to current zoning laws, the Castaic community is fighting an uphill battle as they oppose the development of another gas station, according to Los Angeles County officials.

Castaic residents voiced their concerns on the proposed development at a public hearing Monday, in which the Castaic Area Town Council ultimately voted 5-0 to oppose the project.

Though the gas station, located at the corner of Lake Hughes Road and Castaic Road, would be the 10th fueling station within a half-mile in Castaic, the project is zoned for service stations by-right, according to Edel Vizcarra, planning and public works deputy for Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the county’s 5th District, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley.

The proposal, which has been submitted to the L.A. County Department of Regional Planning for review and approval, includes a nearly 1-acre station with six dispensers, a 960-square-foot snack shop, a bio-filtration pond and a 50-foot pylon sign, according to Ben Steckler, entitlement manager with Fiedler Group.

The development proposal has highlighted the specifications set out in the current community standards district, which implements special development standards for area usage, and in this case, designates the project site as part of a trucking-focused area.

With the current CSD, the only issue would be the 50-foot sign that is larger than what the CSD allows. If this is denied, the applicant can still open the service station, just with a smaller pole sign.

“Zones are what they are,” Vizcarra said. “By right, you can’t tell them that they can’t build there, but by working with the community, we can develop a plan to discourage these types of uses.”

“A lot of people may look at our town as just a truck stop, (but) we’re looking at the future,” council member Jim D’Addario said, adding that with the new home developments coming in the near future, Castaic will soon be more of a community. “I’ve been here for 20 years and I believe this is a community.”

This seemed to be the consensus among many in attendance, many of whom agreed that instead of another gas station, Castaic needs more family-oriented businesses.

“Honestly, in my opinion, a bank, grocery store or a fast-food restaurant would be a better option,” said longtime Castaic resident Velia Jimenez via message. “I just feel there needs to be a balance. We shouldn’t only be serving the commuters passing through, but we need to serve the residents in Castaic.”

Castaic residents meet to hear plans for a proposed gas station development in Castaic during a public hearing on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. Emily Alvarenga/The Signal
The proposed station would be a Ralphs-branded station, which John Belanich, chief investment officer with Heslin Holdings, said would allow those with Ralphs loyalty to receive a discount on gas.

“Ralphs has a unique program … (that offers) Costco prices, without Costco lines,” he said. “A Ralphs’ gas station does three to four times that of a typical gas station, so you
will drive a lot of traffic because of the loyalty.”

These savings would be approximately 75 cents to $1 off of a gallon, according to Belanich, which many, including Castaic resident Janette Gabellieri, argue isn’t enough to warrant adding to an already busy intersection.

“I can get 40 to 80 cents (off) at Shell because I’m a Ralphs valued customer,” she said. “I won’t go anywhere near that corner (for discounts on gas) — that corner is nuts.”

Several council members also noted that Ralphs opened a grocery store in the Castaic Village near the proposed project, and it was closed more than five years ago.

“Ralphs abandoned us,” council member Lloyd Carder said. “This project would be really exciting if you guys were saying this is in conjunction with opening up the store across the street. If Ralphs was saying that, I think you’d see lots of smiling faces in this room, but right now, this is just another gas station.”

As the hearing came to a close, D’Addario asked the Castaic residents in the audience to share their opinion by a show of hands — and almost every hand in the room went up in opposition while none went up in support.

Though the council opposed the project, it seems to have opened the discussion to bigger changes that residents believe need to be made.

The Board of Supervisors recognizes the concerns that have been expressed by residents with the current CSD as the community continues to grow, and has been looking at implementing changes, according to Vizcarra.

“We do want to work with the community to create a (new) CSD and revitalize that area,” he said. “Over the years, it has turned into a big destination for trucking … but there is room for other uses that aren’t trucking-centric … and better serve the community’s needs.”

Castaic Area Town Council

Castaic residents meet to hear plans for a proposed gas station development in Castaic during a public hearing on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. Emily Alvarenga/The Signal

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Sherin Warren says:

    Absolutely, people live here. Their needs and interests must come first.

Leave a Comment


LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Friday, Jul 18, 2025
With profound sadness and heavy hearts, the Los Angelees County Sheriff's Department have announced the passing of three detectives in the explosion on the morning of Friday, July 18 at the Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East Los Angeles: Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus and Detective William Osborn
Friday, Jul 18, 2025
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger announced on Friday, July 18 that all Los Angeles County facilities will lower their flags to half‑staff immediately in honor of the three Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies who lost their lives in the explosion at the Biscailuz Training Center in East Los Angeles.
Friday, Jul 18, 2025
On Friday, July 18, shortly after 7:30 a.m., an explosion occurred at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Biscailuz Training Facility located in the 1000 block of North Eastern Avenue in East Los Angeles. Three LASD deputies died in the blast.
Friday, Jul 18, 2025
Caltrans has announced that daytime lane reductions are scheduled on northbound and southbound Interstate 5 (I-5) between Lake Hughes Road and two miles north of Templin Highway, starting Monday, July 21, for pavement rehabilitation.
Thursday, Jul 17, 2025
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has announced that California's "No Touch" Phone Law is officially in effect.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1915 - Ince, Griffith, Sennett form Triangle Film Corp.; it produces & distributes early William S. Hart films [story]
Triangle Films
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Wednesday, July 23, beginning with a closed session at 6 p.m., followed by an open session at 7 p.m.
July 23: Regular Meeting of the Hart School District Board of Trustees
The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry is in need of food donations to keep the shelves stocked. In 2024, the SCV Food Pantry had more than 95,000 client visits, averaging over 10,000 client engagements each month.
SCV Food Pantry in Need of Donations
With profound sadness and heavy hearts, the Los Angelees County Sheriff's Department have announced the passing of three detectives in the explosion on the morning of Friday, July 18 at the Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East Los Angeles: Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus and Detective William Osborn
Three LASD Detectives Killed in Explosion Have Been Identified
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger announced on Friday, July 18 that all Los Angeles County facilities will lower their flags to half‑staff immediately in honor of the three Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies who lost their lives in the explosion at the Biscailuz Training Center in East Los Angeles.
County Flags to Fly at Half‑Staff After LASD Training Center Tragedy
On Friday, July 18, shortly after 7:30 a.m., an explosion occurred at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Biscailuz Training Facility located in the 1000 block of North Eastern Avenue in East Los Angeles. Three LASD deputies died in the blast.
Three LASD Deputies Killed in Explosion at Facility in East Los Angeles
This episode of SCVTV's Legacy series was taped in 2002. Leon Worden of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society speaks with Carl Boyer III, the first chairman of the city of Santa Clarita Formation Committee in 1986. Boyer discusses the effort to form a city and the challenges of setting it up.
Legacy | Birth of a City with Councilman Carl Boyer III
The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley awarded $16,000 in scholarships and awards at its annual Awards Celebration, held at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at College of the Canyons.
Zonta Club of SCV Holds Annual Scholarship Awards Celebration
Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) has announced that she has joined a coalition of lawmakers and concerned parents to urge the rejection of AB 84, which would require increased oversight of charter schools.
Valladares Joins Coalition Opposed to Charter School Bill
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees took the next steps to move forward with developing the College of the Canyons Advanced Technology Center at its regular board meeting held on Wednesday, July 16.
COC Board Commits to Build Advanced Technology Center on Valencia Campus
Golden Oak Adult School announced that its fall 2025 semester will begin on Monday, Aug. 18, and online registration is now open for a wide array of courses designed to support career advancement, personal enrichment and academic achievement.
Golden Oak Adult School Fall Semester Registration Now Open
Green Santa Clarita wants to remind you that, if you have bulky trash items, such as furniture, appliances, tree branches, scrap wood, sod and tires, you can dispose of them for free either by pickup or drop-off, whether your residence is single-family of multi-family.
Get Rid of Bulky Items for Free
The Santa Clarita Volunteer Hub is a one-stop shop for promoting volunteerism in the community. It connects local non-profits and volunteers who want to offer their time, skills and talents to a good cause.
Volunteer Hub: Summer Volunteer Opportunities
Caltrans has announced that daytime lane reductions are scheduled on northbound and southbound Interstate 5 (I-5) between Lake Hughes Road and two miles north of Templin Highway, starting Monday, July 21, for pavement rehabilitation.
July 21-25: Castaic Area I-5 Lane Reductions
1928 - L.A. City makes first payment on death & disability claim arising from St. Francis Dam disaster [report]
morgue
Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates in collaboration with Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation will host "Books & Hikes," to discuss Amy Tan's "The Backyard Bird Chronicles," 8 a.m. Sunday, July 27 at the Acorn Amphitheater.
July 27: ‘Books & Hikes’ at Placerita Canyon Nature Center
The Paseo Club will host its Summer Nights Party, 7-11 p.m. Saturday, July 19.
July 19: Summer Nights Party at the Paseo Club
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, (D-Chatsworth) has announced that more than a dozen bills from her 2025 legislative package are advancing through the State Senate.
Schiavo’s Legislation Moves Forward in the State Senate
Valencia Town Center will host its Back to School Bash, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 at the lower level of the mall near H&M.
Aug. 9: Back to School Bash at Valencia Town Center
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, is now recruiting for fall interns to serve in his Washington, D.C. and California offices. Whitesides represents the CA-27th Congressional District, which includes the Santa Clarita Valley.
Fall Interns Sought for Whitesides’ California, Washington D.C. Offices
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has announced that California's "No Touch" Phone Law is officially in effect.
L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Begins to Enforce ‘No Touch’ Phone Law
There is nothing quite like a Thursday evening in Old Town Newhall. As the sun sets, Main Street comes alive with twinkling lights stretching overhead, lively music filling the air, along with laughter and conversations flowing amongst families and friends.
Marsha McLean | Old Town Newhall SENSES Block Party
Join the Santa Clarita Public Library for the Summer Reading Finale on Friday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Old Town Newhall Branch. Celebrate a summer of reading and adventure with live performers, music, crafts, story time and more.
July 26: Summer Reading Finale
The Friends of Castaic Animal Shelter invite the Santa Clarita Valley to an Ice Cream Social and Pet Adoption event 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 20 at Pet Supplies Plus.
July 20: Castaic Animal Shelter Ice Cream Social, Pet Adoption Event
SCVNews.com