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
November 13
1966 - Pico No. 4 oil well listed as a National Historic Landmark [story]
Pico No. 4


| 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, Nov 12, 2025
Los Angeles County is monitoring the forecast of light to moderate rain, expected to arrive in the LA County Region on Thursday night (11/13/25) and last through Sunday (11/16/25).
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
Santa Paula’s holiday tradition returns as the 75th Annual Santa Paula Holiday Parade lights up Main Street on Friday, Nov. 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., one of the only nighttime parades in Ventura county with nearly 50 floats and vehicles lit up with holiday cheer.
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is advising retailers to immediately stop selling and remove products that contain kratom and the synthetic kratom compound known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine from shelves.
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is alerting parents and caregivers about an ongoing multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.
Friday, Nov 7, 2025
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a report of hepatitis A virus infection in an employee of Tam O'Shanter Restaurant at 2980 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1966 - Pico No. 4 oil well listed as a National Historic Landmark [story]
Pico No. 4
Los Angeles County is monitoring the forecast of light to moderate rain, expected to arrive in the LA County Region on Thursday night (11/13/25) and last through Sunday (11/16/25).
Storm Coming to Los Angeles County: Burn Scar Areas Under Evacuation Warning
California State University, Northridge has once again earned a place among the nation’s top music business programs, according to Billboard magazine. 
CSUN Among Billboard’s 2025 Top Music Business Schools
Students looking to get ahead can now register for College of the Canyons’ winter 2026 session, which features more than 340 class sections offered in a variety of learning formats.
College of the Canyons Registration Open for Winter 2026 Session
The Santa Clarita Artists Association invites Santa Clarita Valley supporters of fine art to go on a journey of contemplation with "Reflections," a new group art show at the SCAA Gallery in Old Town Newhall.
Nov. 15: SCAA Gallery Showcase ‘Reflections’ Opening Reception
The holiday season officially begins in Santa Clarita as Old Town Newhall transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland for Light Up Main Street, presented by DrinkPak, on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 4 to 8 p.m., with the official tree lighting happening at 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 15:  Know Before you Go: Parking and Transportation tips for Light up Main Street
The Oksana Management Group invites entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals to the next OMG Mixer, a unique social and networking event designed to foster authentic connections and business growth in Santa Clarita.
Dec. 17: The OMG Mixer Returns: Join Valencia’s Premier Networking Event
Dance, by nature, is collaborative — between dancers and choreographers, music and movement, and performers and the audience.
Nov. 19: ‘Colaboratoria’ to Showcase Performances by CSUN Choreographers
1908 - Saugus School District formed from sections of Newhall and Castaic school districts [story]
Saugus School
Santa Paula’s holiday tradition returns as the 75th Annual Santa Paula Holiday Parade lights up Main Street on Friday, Nov. 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., one of the only nighttime parades in Ventura county with nearly 50 floats and vehicles lit up with holiday cheer.
Nov. 28: 75th Annual Santa Paula Holiday Parade Honors Rey Frutos
The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a fundraising event at Lucky Luke Brewing in Santa Clarita.
Nov. 16: Food Pantry 40th Anniversary Party at Lucky Luke Brewing
The Valencia High School Pride of the Vikings Band and Color Guard delivered an exceptional performance at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association "Keeping the Music Alive” Field Show Tournament at Oxnard High School, earning top honors.
Valencia High School Band, Color Guard Capture First Place
There is an unmistakable sense of excitement building in Santa Clarita as construction for The Rink Sports Pavilion, the city’s new roller-skating facility, continues to make great progress.
Ken Striplin | Wheels in Motion for Santa Clarita’s First Roller Rink
The Castaic Union School District Board of Trustees regular meeting will take place Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m., with a closed executive session starting at 5 p.m.
Nov. 13: Castaic School Board Meets on Castaic Elementary Modernization
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is advising retailers to immediately stop selling and remove products that contain kratom and the synthetic kratom compound known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine from shelves.
Public Health Urges Retailers to Remove Illegal Kratom, 7-OH Products
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is alerting parents and caregivers about an ongoing multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.
Public Health Alerts Parents to Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Powdered Formula
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a regular business meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in closed session. The open public session will be held at 5 p.m.
Nov. 12: COC Board to Meet on Superintendent/Pres. Timeline, Search Committee
For the 31st consecutive year, the city of Santa Clarita has received the Investment Policy Certificate of Excellence Award from the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada.
City of Santa Clarita Receives Nationally Acclaimed Finance Award
The Saugus Union School District Citizens' Oversight Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Saugus Union School District Office
Nov. 13: SUSD Measure EE Citizens Oversight Committee Facilities Update
College of the Canyons football closed out its 2025 campaign with a 17-10 victory over Bakersfield College at Cougar Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Canyons Closes Out Season 17-10 Over Bakersfield
College of the Canyons women's soccer played to 3-0 win over Antelope Valley College on Friday night, Nov. 7, with the Cougars scoring a pair of second-half goals to ensure a Sophomore Night victory.
Lady Cougars Complete Season Sweep Over Antelope Valley
College of the Canyons men's soccer erupted for a season-best six goals to handily defeat Citrus College 6-2 on Friday, Nov. 7 as part of the program's annual Sophomore Night.
Cougars Score 6-2 Win Over Citrus on Sophomore Night
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of six productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Tuesday, Nov. 11 to Saturday, Nov. 16.
Nov. 11-16: Six Productions Filming in SCV
The Santa Clarita Arts Commission will meet on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at Santa Clarita City Hall City Council Chambers.
Nov. 13: Santa Clarita Arts Commission to Review First Responders Project
SCVNews.com