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
May 19
1851 - San Fernando-San Francisquito-Eliz. Lake Roads become public highways [story]
wagon


The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the expansion of Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch in Placerita Canyon.

The construction of the “Disney|ABC Studios at the Ranch” project would include 510,000 to 555,950 square feet of indoor studios and eight to 12 sound stages at Placerita Canyon Road and State Route 14, at the western edge of the 890-acre property. The supervisors approved both alternatives.

After a public hearing, the board certified the final environmental impact report, changed general-plan designations from hillside management and floodplain to commercial; granted a permit to remove 158 oak trees (including 16 heritage oaks) and approved a parking permit, among other things.

Disney would plant 1,600 new oak trees, two-thirds more than required to replace those being removed.

Community members from the Santa Clarita Valley and around Los Angeles County attended the public hearing to give their opinion on the proposed project.

An official with the special projects section of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning first gave a staff recommendation to the board.

Department staff found that increase noise was the only noticeable impact to the environment, that it was compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, because of a undeveloped buffer zone maintained around the ranch.

The project is also consistent with the 1990 Santa Clarita Valley area plan, and department staff recommended that the board approve the plan.

“This is a very positive development in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, “and not just the Santa Clarita Valley, but the state and nation.”

Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar and officials with the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation also spoke in support of the project.

“I have long been supportive of the film industry and jobs and the economic impact it brings to our community,” Kellar said. “We couldn’t ask for a better neighbor than Disney.”

He said that he did not want Southern California to lose the film industry the same way it lost the aerospace industry.

Don Fleming, co-chairman of the SCVEDC Executive Committee, commended Disney Studios for putting thought into the project and for investing in the community by planning to build a public trail on the ranch.

Calvin Hedman, also Executive Committee co-chairman, weighed in, in favor of the project, citing the fact that it would give many Santa Clarita residents the opportunity to work closer to home.

Golden Oak Ranch“This is just the type of economic development the county should be supporting,” he said.

Members of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians expressed cautious optimism about the project, asking Disney to be careful to protect cultural resources on the site.

“We are not opposed to the project,” said Alan Salazar, a member of the Tataviam Band.

“We just want to continue (having) our voices heard.”

A Tataviam cultural monitor will be onsite during construction.

Lynne Plambeck with the Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment asked the board to consider the fact that although the EIR did not show a large environmental impact for the project, global warming and natural habitats would be affected.

“How can such a statement be made when you’re adding an additional parking area and all those cars?” she said. “How can adding 12 sound stages be compatible (with the surrounding area)?”

But Adam Gilbert, Disney’s director of corporate real estate, said county staff had taken environmental concerns into consideration.

Gilbert said that construction would help restore Placerita Creek, where currently materials left over from SR-14 construction are eroding into the water. He also said that Disney is committed to reducing their impact to oak trees.

The county Regional Planning Commission had signed off in June and issued a statement of overriding considerations, citing increased employment in the media and entertainment industry, permanent protection of natural terrain, the addition of oak trees, public trail access to the Angeles National Forest and surplus water storage facilities for community fire protection and water supply.

“These, and other project design features beyond those that are required … provide benefits supporting the determination that the benefits of the project outweigh the project’s remaining significant and unavoidable impacts,” according to a county staff report.

 

About Golden Oak Ranch

Walt Disney first leased The Golden Oak Ranch in the late 1950s for the “Spin and Marty” segments of “The Mickey Mouse Club.” The Studio purchased the property in 1959 to utilize the variety of natural settings. Over the years, they acquired additional land which has brought the total to just under 900 acres. Disney productions that have shot at the Ranch include: “Old Yeller,” “The Parent Trap,” “The Shaggy Dog” and more recently, “The Santa Clause,” “Pearl Harbor,” “Princess Diaries II” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” II and III.

Over the years, other motion picture and television production groups began filming at the Ranch and added to the variety of sets already there. A western street was created for the 1978 and remained active until its removal in 2008. Other sets and locations include a rural covered bridge on a lake, wood bridges, the Golden Oak Hall from the movie “The Country Bears,” farm houses, barns, fields, country roads, tree groves, a forest area, a creek bed and the newest addition of Pine Lake, which includes a waterfall and was designed to give the feeling of a High Sierra setting.

Leon Worden of SCVTV contributed to this report.

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.

No Comments

    Leave a Comment


    LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
    Friday, May 16, 2025
    Despite a devastating wildfire season that destroyed thousands of homes and scorched wide swaths of Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang released the May 15 Forecast for the 2025 Assessment Roll, projecting a 3.25% increase in taxable property values over 2024.
    Friday, May 16, 2025
    Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Assistant Sheriff Jason Skeen kicked off the 50th Annual Memorial Torch Relay Run on Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. on the front steps of the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles.
    Thursday, May 15, 2025
    More than 134,000 Los Angeles county residents will begin receiving notices next week as a part of the first wave of medical debt relief, marking a significant step in addressing the financial strain caused by medical costs.
    Wednesday, May 14, 2025
    The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is encouraging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe.
    Wednesday, May 14, 2025
     The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department  reminds travelers to always buckle up and secure children in the right car seats when visiting friends and family.

    Keep Up With Our Facebook
    Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
    1851 - San Fernando-San Francisquito-Eliz. Lake Roads become public highways [story]
    wagon
    1978 - Concert scene for "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park" filmed at Magic Mountain [story]
    KISS
    The annual Santa Clarita Valley Memorial Day Ceremony will be held Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, in Newhall.
    May 26: Annual Memorial Day Tribute at Eternal Valley Memorial Park
    California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans and active and reserve military members by offering free admission to 142 participating state park units on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.
    State Parks Offer Free Admission on Memorial Day to Members of the Military
    1993 - Dale Poe, 61, developer of Stevenson Ranch, killed in car crash [story]
    Stevenson Ranch fountain
    The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, May 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m.
    May 20: Saugus School Board Regular Meeting
    The Los Angeles Dodgers Neighborhood Camps return to the Santa Clarita Valley Monday-Wednesday, July 14-16. These baseball and softball camps offer young athletes the opportunity to have fun, learn new skills and grow within the community.
    July 14-16: Sign up Now for Dodgers Youth Baseball, Softball Camps
    Get ready for an unforgettable night of cars, music, food and community spirit at WiSH Education Foundation’s Third Annual WiSH Upon A Car Showcase. This highly anticipated event will be held on Saturday, May 31 and needs volunteers for a variety of positions.
    May 31: Wish Upon a Car Showcase Fundraiser Seeks Volunteers
    Despite a devastating wildfire season that destroyed thousands of homes and scorched wide swaths of Altadena, Pacific Palisades and Malibu, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang released the May 15 Forecast for the 2025 Assessment Roll, projecting a 3.25% increase in taxable property values over 2024.
    L.A. County Property Values Top $2 Trillion
    On Wednesday, May 14, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a proposal to eliminate costly red tape and litigious delays for the Delta Conveyance Project while maintaining environmental protections. 
    SCV Water Board | Support for Streamlined Delta Conveyance Project Approvals
    Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Assistant Sheriff Jason Skeen kicked off the 50th Annual Memorial Torch Relay Run on Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. on the front steps of the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles.
    LASD 50th Annual Memorial Torch Relay Run Honors Fallen Officers
    The Castaic Union School District has announced the Castaic Middle School Spring Music Showcase will be held 5-7 p.m., Thursday, May 29 at Castaic Middle School.
    May 29: Castaic Middle School Presents ‘Spring Music Showcase’
    The city of Santa Clarita is rolling out the big screen once again for City Cinemas, presented by Henry Rodriguez State Farm, beginning Friday, June 27.
    City Cinemas Returns in June with Blockbuster Lineup
    The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20, at 6 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission will hold a public hearing on the Newhall Avenue Mixed Use Project, consisting of 106 multifamily units and 4,000 square feet of commercial floor area.
    May 20: Planning Commission Holds Hearing on Newhall Avenue Project
    The Master's men's golf team member Jonathan Larson has been named one of five finalists for the 2025 NAIA Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Workday.
    TMU’s Jonathan Larson is Finalist for Nicklaus Award
    The city of Santa Clarita presents its newest art exhibition, “Beyond the Desk,” on view now through Wednesday, Aug. 20, in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall.
    ‘Beyond the Desk’ Art Exhibit at City Hall First Floor Gallery
    U.S. Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, has announced the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winners for the 27th California Congressional District.
    West Ranch Student Captures First Place in District Congressional Art Competition
    Mission Opera, the Santa Clarita Valley’s opera company, will close its seventh season with the timeless opera "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini.
    June 13-15: Mission Opera Presents Puccini’s Iconic Tragedy ‘Tosca’
    1938 - Brand-new Lockheed transport plane crashes in Agua Dulce; all 9 perish including 2 infants [story]
    plane crash
    The Los Angeles Dodgers trace their roots back to Brooklyn, New York, where they joined the National League in 1890.
    Laurene Weste | Santa Clarita’s Decades-Long History with the Los Angeles Dodgers
    Child & Family Center, in partnership with city of Santa Clarita’s Drug-Free Youth, invites local youth ages 11–17 to “Power Up” this summer with a free, high-energy event Friday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at MB2 Entertainment in Santa Clarita.
    June 20: Child & Family Center ‘Power Up’ Youth Event
    Step back in time and experience the magic of early Hollywood at the Newhallywood Silent Film Festival Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25, at the Newhall Family Theatre and The MAIN in Old Town Newhall.
    May 23-25: The Newhallywood Silent Film Festival
    The Dumas-Stenson Thespians will present its production of "Connie" Thursday, June 12 through Sunday, June 15 at The MAIN.
    June 12-15: ‘Connie’ at The MAIN
    The community is invited to help local students in need as the 2025 Backpack Drive kicks off at the May Business After Hours Mixer, hosted by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce.
    Backpack Drive for Students in Need Donations Accepted Through July 31
    SCVNews.com