The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for Los Angeles County approved the annexation of three new communities, which as of June 14 are part of the City of Santa Clarita. The areas include the Copperstone Community, Elsmere Canyon open space and the future Soledad Commons retail center.

The completion of these annexations brings approximately 1,284 residents to the City and increases its boundary by nearly 890 acres. The new annexed areas include: Soledad Commons with 13 acres of commercial land; Elsmere Canyon with over 800 acres of City-owned open space; and the Copperstone development in Saugus with 68 acres of land.

“The City of Santa Clarita is proud to offer residents high quality municipal services and a role in shaping their community, including: responsive and accessible local government representatives, a strong business community, well cared for neighborhoods and great schools,” commented Mayor Frank Ferry. “We are excited to welcome new annexed areas and residents to the City as we look towards building a better future for one of Southern California’s fastest growing areas.”

Over the last 25 years, the City of Santa Clarita has welcomed 28 different areas into the City, inclusive of 45,000 residents and 12.9 square miles through a state-regulated process called annexation. The decision to annex is always one that is driven by residents or developers.

Annexation has many benefits, including: replacing County zoning with City zoning; eliminating utility user tax; providing easily accessible local government services and increasing the availability of City sports and recreation programs. Additionally, it enables residents to vote in local elections, run for City public office and serve on City commissions.

By December 2012, the City of Santa Clarita will also include the following soon-to be-annexed areas: North Copperhill in Saugus, which includes 2,470 acres (the City’s largest annexation to date) and 9,500 residents, including 810 acres of City-owned open space; Vista Canyon/Fair Oaks/Jakes Way, which includes 2,440 acres of land and 14,900 residents; Norland Road in Canyon Country, which includes 205 acres of which 57 acres are City-owned open space; and South Sand Canyon in Canyon Country, which includes 40 residents and 690 acres of which 540 acres are filming ranches.

These areas were reviewed by the Local Agency Formation Commission in April 2012 and it was determined the City of Santa Clarita is financially sound and capable of providing services to these areas. These annexations will bring the City of Santa Clarita’s population to just over 200,000 residents, making the City the third largest based on population in Los Angeles County.

For more information about annexations, contact the City of Santa Clarita’s Planning Division at (661) 255-4330 or visit Santa-Clarita.com.