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
March 26
1821 - SCV (with the rest of Alta Calif.) becomes territory of Mexico during war for Mexican independence from Spain [story]
map


| Monday, Oct 12, 2020
indoor
Shoppers line up in the Westfield Valencia Town Center indoor shopping mall on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. | Photo: Dan Watson / The Signal.

 

Santa Clarita City Council members want “greater transparency” and “consistent guidance” from Los Angeles County in its handling of indoor shopping mall reopenings, citing concerns over potential future closures and conditions that may further hinder businesses from fully recovering.

Their concerns were laid out in a pre-written letter addressed to L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, and her fellow supervisors. The council is expected to vote on the letter Tuesday.

The letter comes after Mayor Cameron Smyth proposed Sept. 22 council members formulate direct support for reopening both indoor malls and breweries following several months of ever-changing regulations and restricted operations. A week later, county officials announced those sectors and others could resume operations with modifications.

“While we appreciate recent actions taken to reopen indoor malls, we remain concerned that the county public health order may abruptly be revised to reclose indoor malls, creating further uncertainty around business operations that could lead to continued financial harm to many small businesses,” read the letter.

L.A. County has remained under California’s most restrictive reopening tier, a level in which shopping malls could reopen statewide, since Aug. 28, with modifications such as limited capacity at 25% and closing food courts.

Wednesday marked the official date the county allowed indoor mall operations to resume, a decision based on stabilization with COVID-19 hospitalizations and case and positivity rates, according to county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

Council members expressed in the letter that they are confident Westfield Valencia Town Center has the capacity to safely reopen in compliance with all guidelines and urged the county to align its public health order with the state’s plans and protocols around indoor malls.

“We respectfully request for greater transparency, uniformity, and guidance related to policies on the operation of indoor malls, like the Westfield Valencia Town Center,” read the letter.

The Valencia mall, which generates nearly 3,600 jobs, opened Wednesday with several protocols in place as seen when it briefly reopened in June, such as limiting capacity, requiring face masks and closing common areas, according to its website.

The City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday.

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.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1821 - SCV (with the rest of Alta Calif.) becomes territory of Mexico during war for Mexican independence from Spain [story]
map
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 336 elementary schools have been selected for the prestigious 2025 California Distinguished Schools Program. Ten schools in the Santa Clarita Valley were chosen for the honor.
Ten SCV Schools Earn 2025 California Distinguished Schools Honors
The city of Santa Clarita is inviting artists to submit artwork for consideration for the upcoming “Childhood Memories” juried exhibition, which will be on view at the Newhall Community Center.
Deadline April 8: Call for Artists, ‘Childhood Memories’ Exhibit
The GO Jazz Big Band: Basie, the Beatles and Beyond will perform Friday, April 4, 8-10 p.m., at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall.
April 4: GO Jazz Big Band: Basie, the Beatles & Beyond
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has released information about the housing of sexually violent predator Christopher Hubbart in housing in Pearblossom, in the Antelope Valley.
Sexually Violent Predator Placed in Pearblossom Housing
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is investigating incidents involving a suspect filming females inside the restrooms at College of the Canyons located on the college's Valencia campus.
SCV Sheriff’s Station Seeks Info on COC Invasion of Privacy Suspect
College of the Canyons played to a 10-4 conference victory at Glendale College on Thursday, March 20 to snap a five-game skid, with Jeniece Jimenez and Avery Alvarez both blasting home runs in the decisive victory.
Canyons Softball Gets 10-4 Conference Win at Glendale
College of the Canyons men's golf won a second straight conference event, its fifth of the season, while seeing all six players finish in the top 15 of the field's individual standings during a productive day at Crystalaire Country Club on Monday, March 17.
Cougars Win Again, Continue Hold on Top Spot
The newly released Cal Fire 2025 Recommended Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps show the Santa Clarita Valley has increased in areas deemed to be Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Cal Fire Releases 2025 Fire Hazard Zone Maps for Santa Clarita Valley
The Santa Clarita Valley Spring 2025 Job Fair will be held Friday, April 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at College of the Canyons. The event is free and open to the public.
April 25: SCV Spring 2025 Job Fair at COC
The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Council will host an in-depth discussion on best practices, proven strategies and real success stories in volunteer engagement and management on Wednesday, April 23, 9-10:30 a.m.
April 23: Non-profit Council Meets on Volunteer Engagement
The California Department of Public Health has released its annual report on vaccination rates for California students. The 2023-2024 CDPH Kindergarten Immunization Assessment report shows that California immunization rates for kindergarten students remain higher than the national average.
California Kindergarten Immunization Rates Remain High
1889 - Castaic School District established [story]
Castaic siding
The MAIN will host "Songs from the Saddle" during the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13, a foot-stompin’, heartstring-pullin’ celebration of the West in song and verse.
April 13: ‘Songs From the Saddle’ at the MAIN
Our Community Salutes of Santa Clarita and the Kiwanis Club of Santa Clarita will host an enlistee recognition ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17 at Golden Valley High School Theater, to honor the 2025 high school seniors and families who will serve in the U.S. armed services.
May 17: Our Community Salutes, Kiwanis Club to Host Enlistee Recognition Ceremony
The MAIN and Dig Deep Theatre will present the theatrical production "This is Our Youth," weekends beginning Friday, April 18-27 at The MAIN, 24266 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.
The MAIN, Dig Deep Theatre Present ‘This is Our Youth’
More than 60 Double-crested Cormorant eggs and chicks were rescued from a failing tree in Marina del Rey and are now receiving intensive care at the nonprofit International Bird Rescue’s Los Angeles Wildlife Center, thanks to a coordinated effort between the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors and Bird Rescue.
Cormorant Chicks Rescued by L.A. County DBH, Bird Rescue
The city of Santa Clarita has announced the release of the fourth episode of Santa Clarita Voices, the city’s official podcast that highlights the stories, experiences and conversations from city leaders, businesses and organizations.
Santa Clarita Voices Episode Four Released
The Master's University track and field squads competed in two weekend meets, at the UCLA Bob Larsen Classic on Friday, March 21, and at the Westmont Collegiate Classic on Saturday, March 22.
Two Times the Fun for TMU Track
The Master's University men's volleyball team welcomed the NCAA Division III Hobart College Statesmen for the first time on Bross Court in The MacArthur Center, getting a three-set win in the process on Friday, March 21.
TMU Gets Non-Conference Win Over Hobart
The Master's University baseball team made the road trip to Prescott, Ariz. to play a doubleheader against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, taking a 12-2 loss and a 14-6 win Friday afternoon, March 21.
Mustangs Split Doubleheader Against Eagles
Logix Federal Credit Union partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to support local relief and recovery efforts in response to the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
Logix, FHLBank Match Donations to Support SoCal Wildfire Relief
Spring is fast approaching and the moment we’ve all been waiting for is right around the corner.
Ken Striplin | Step Back in Time to the Wild West at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival
SCVNews.com