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
December 25
1852 - Acton gold mine owner & California Gov. Henry Tifft Gage born in New York [story]
Henry Gage


| Friday, Apr 12, 2019
A hike in Val Verde. | Photo courtesy Erica Larsen.
A hike in Val Verde. | Photo courtesy Erica Larsen.

 

A plan to build more than 200 homes in the heart of Val Verde was scrutinized Thursday by a regional planning committee, whose members wanted assurance there’s enough water to fight fires, a comprehensive sewer study and a commitment to build public parks before a shovel goes in the ground.

On Thursday, members of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning Subdivision Committee handed a lengthy “to do” list to developer Hunt Williams, of Sterling Gateway LP, before his Val Verde project is approved.

Williams wants to build the homes on nearly 114 acres of land on both sides of Del Valle Road at Hunstock Street in Val Verde.

The Subdivision Committee represents a handful of key land development concerns affecting public works, parks and recreation and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Notes on the second revised map of the housing project by representatives of each of these three key agencies recommended planners do not approve the project until their respective demands are met.

Topping the list of concerns for public works officials was water supply, and second on the same list was getting an approved sewer area study.

Water was also the prime concern for committee members representing the Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division, whose “conditions of approval” pointed out that the property is located inside a “very high fire hazard severity zone.”

The committee wants the developer to submit a “preliminary water design report from Los Angeles County Waterworks District 36,” which supplies the area with water.

With its focus still on the ability to fight wildfires, the committee also set standards for water supply and water pressure.

Water flow next to a commercial lot was to be no less than 2,000 gallons of water per minute delivered under pressure at 20 pounds per square inch for at least two hours.

The flow of water next to homes was to be no less than 1,250 gallons of water per minute under the same amount of pressure.

And, because the 222 proposed homes are in “very high fire hazard safety zone,” the committee requested a “preliminary fuel modification plan” be obtained before approval is given.

On the issue of public parks, the committee representative for county parks said: “The department recommends that the subdivider develop, maintain and operate the private park, which will be accessible to the public.”

It was pointed out that since the housing project falls inside the Castaic Community Standards District, its parks must meet a specific standard.

In the Park Obligation Report cited by the committee, the basic Quimby Park Land Obligation calls for the park to be no less than 2.223 acres and having a maximum slope of 3 percent.

The Quimby Act, passed in 1975, was designed to ensure housing projects come with adequate open space acreage. The basic Quimbly obligation calls for 3.5 acres of open space for every 1,000 residents.

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.

2 Comments

  1. waterwatcher says:

    And he will have to comply with new building codes that require every roof to be solor.

  2. jim says:

    Solar roofs are the least important concern of building in high fire zones. Fire-resistant housing designs (flame-proof roofs, flame/spark-resistant exterior surfaces, spark and ember-resistant vents and exhausts, and flame-resistant exterior surfaces) are much more important.

    Solar roofs are a good idea, especially if they are built to a 50%+ of average load. But they won’t do anything to prevent damage from our ubiquitous wind-driven fires.

    But solar roofs may not be so important if they make housing too expensive.

    I’d worry more about how SCE serves the community currently and for the new development. Are overhead conductors on wooden poles the current and future designs for this area? UG is expensive, but not as much as replacing the entire primary voltage (usually 6600v in SCE) services as well as the 120/240v residential services when a wildfire takes them all out.

Leave a Comment


LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is urging residents to remain vigilant as a powerful storm system moves through Los Angeles County, bringing periods of heavy rain and rapidly changing conditions.
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025
The California State Transportation Agency today announced a new joint effort by two of its departments, the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol, to curb excessive speeding and prevent deadly crashes.
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025
As winter storms enter Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control urges pet owners to take necessary precautions in light of the significant storms expected to last for five days.
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025
The National Weather Service has issued a "Hazardous Weather" warning for the Santa Clarita Valley and Southern California.
Monday, Dec 22, 2025
The California Highway Patrol encourages the public to “brake” the habit of speeding this holiday season. The CHP will launch a Holiday Enforcement Period starting at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station has issued the following traffic alerts: Due to heavy rains, the westbound right lane is closed on Soledad Canyon Road between Camp Plenty Road and Langside Avenue.
SCV Sheriff’s Station Issues Traffic Alert on Soledad Canyon Road
Fostering Youth Independence’s recent Charlie Brown Holiday party was attended by dozens of local foster youth and their volunteer Allies.
Fostering Youth Independence Hosts Holiday PJ Party
The National Weather Service as issued the following alerts for the Santa Clarita Valley. Flood Watch until Dec. 26, 4 p.m. PST, High Wind Warning until Dec. 25, 3 p.m. PST.
NWS Issues Flood Watch for SCV Through Friday
1852 - Acton gold mine owner & California Gov. Henry Tifft Gage born in New York [story]
Henry Gage
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is urging residents to remain vigilant as a powerful storm system moves through Los Angeles County, bringing periods of heavy rain and rapidly changing conditions.
Barger Urges Residents to Stay Alert, Follow Evacuation Orders
Thirteen suspects were arrested, and more than $800,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered following a coordinated, multi-agency operation targeting an organized retail theft network operating across Northern California.
CHP Makes Multiple Arrests Made in Statewide Organized Retail Theft Investigation
The California State Transportation Agency today announced a new joint effort by two of its departments, the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol, to curb excessive speeding and prevent deadly crashes.
Pilot Program to Crack Down on Extreme Speeding
The city of Santa Clarita invites the community to heat up the holiday season at the Holiday Spice Salsa Edition on Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Canyon Country Community Center, located at 18410 Sierra Highway Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Dec. 27: Holiday Spice Salsa Edition at Canyon Country Community Center
1965 - Signal newspaper owner Scott Newhall shows up for a duel (of words) with rival Canyon Country newspaper publisher Art Evans, who no-shows and folds his paper soon after [story]
headline
As winter storms enter Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control urges pet owners to take necessary precautions in light of the significant storms expected to last for five days.
DACC Urges Pet Owners to Prioritize Safety Ahead of Storm
Brayden Miner scored 31 points and Rylan Starr had 24 as The Master's University men's basketball team crushed Bethesda University 145-59 The MacArthur Center.
Season’s Best Offensive Performance Leads TMU Over Bethesda
From surprise Santa arrivals to stacks of gifts waiting for young hands, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley delivered holiday cheer on a large scale this season, reaching hundreds of children and teens throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, including Clubhouses in Canyon Country, Newhall, Val Verde and Castaic.
Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley Spreads Holiday Cheer
Princess Cruises, headquartered in Santa Clarita, embraced a cherished maritime tradition in a uniquely festive way, celebrating a symbolic christening of its Rose Parade float with a ceremonial break of a bottle of Pantalones Organic Tequila.
Princess Cruises Christens Star Princess Tournament of Roses Float
The Golden Globes have ushered in awards season with the announcement of the 2026 nominees across 28 categories. Among this year’s contenders is Pixar’s "Elio," which earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Animated.
CalArtian-Directed ‘Elio’ Nominated for 2026 Golden Globe
The National Weather Service has issued a "Hazardous Weather" warning for the Santa Clarita Valley and Southern California.
NWS Issues Flood, High Wind Warnings for SCV, Southland
Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public’s help locating at-Risk missing person Drew Barrick Russell.
LASD Asks for Help Locating Missing Santa Clarita Man
1997 - Five bodies found during grading of Northlake development in Castaic; determined to be Jenkins graveyard [story]
reburial
Old Town Newhall Public Library will host "Spice Travels," Friday, Jan. 2, 9:15-9:30 a.m. at 24500 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Jan. 2: Explore Global Cuisine with ‘Spice Travels ‘ at Newhall Library
The California Highway Patrol encourages the public to “brake” the habit of speeding this holiday season. The CHP will launch a Holiday Enforcement Period starting at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25.
Dec. 24-25: CHP Launches Holiday Enforcement Period
Volunteers are needed to help clear brush and restore the tread from the existing lower Gates and Twister trails 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 27.
Dec. 27: Volunteers Needed for SCV Trail Users Workday
Join InfluenceHER's "Redefining Happiness, a Candid Conversation for the Modern Woman," 4-6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16 at the Venue Valencia.
Jan. 16: InfluenceHER- Redefining Happiness, A Candid Conversation for the Modern Woman
The Santa Clarita Public Library system has announced that all library branches will close at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, and remain closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas.
Santa Clarita Public Library Holiday Hours
Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in water resource-related fields are invited to apply for the 2026/27 ACWA Edward G. “Jerry” Gladbach Scholarship, offered by the Association of California Water Agencies in partnership with SCV Water. Applications are now being accepted through March 1, 2026.
SCV Water Announces 2026/27 ACWA Edward G. ‘Jerry’ Gladbach Scholarship
SCVNews.com