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
June 23
1946, 11:20pm: William S. Hart, 81, dies at L.A.'s California Lutheran Hospital, leaving his Newhall estate and his (now West) Hollywood home to the public [story]
Hart dies


| Friday, Oct 30, 2020
melody ranch suing over electric gate Residents pass through the gate on Placerita Canyon Road on Thursday, October 29, 20. | Photo: Dan Watson / The Signal.

Melody Ranch is once again suing Placerita Canyon Corp., a mutual-benefit corporation that owns and operates an electronic gate in Placerita Canyon to prevent thru traffic from entering the Newhall enclave.

In the suit, filed Oct. 7 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio is claiming multiple instances in which Melody Ranch staff or set teams were prevented from entering through the gate and/or had their vehicles damaged by the gate.

“We’re trying to get a gate that complies with the court-ordered injunction,” said Diane Stanfield, a lawyer with Alston & Bird representing Melody Ranch, in reference to a 1998 judge’s order following the movie ranch’s` first lawsuit against PCC. “We are trying to cause PCC to be transparent and accountable to the community.”

In response to these accusations, PCC distributed a letter to gate-key-carrying residents of Placerita Canyon indicating that the organization would be filing a countersuit against the studio.

“PCC will try to minimize the amount of PCC’s time, efforts and, most importantly, your funds spent on this suit,” PCC said in its letter to residents. “You should also know that PCC vigorously oppose the allegations made therein and that PCC intends to file a cross-complaint to protect the community’s interests.”

Multiple calls were made to reach the numbers listed for the parties associated with PCC in the lawsuit. As of this story’s publication, no call was returned.

The Gate

During the 1990s, a campaign was started by a handful of residents in Placerita Canyon known as Homeowners Against Liability and Traffic, or HALT. The campaign’s goal was to slow and reduce traffic into Placerita Canyon from Highway 14 and Newhall Avenue.

A judge in 1995 sided with HALT and ruled the road heading directly to and from Placerita Canyon from Highway 14 would be reclassified as privately owned by the property owners on Placerita Canyon Road.

In March 1995, an organization calling itself PCC erected an electronic gate with sensors that allow people with special keycards through. PCC is not a government entity nor are its positions on its board of directors elected. However, the organization permits residents within Placerita Canyon to pay an annual fee in order to use its gate, and have access to a shorter route to the freeway from Placerita Canyon than if a resident were to take Newhall Avenue to Highway 14, and vice versa.

Since its installation, Melody Ranch and the various movie crews coming onto its set reported having issues with the gate or being prohibited from entering, according to the complaint.

On May 8, 1998, a judge ordered PCC to allow Melody Ranch, which is owned by the Veluzat family, “unlimited and continuous access … through the gate with no delay between uses,” according to the 2020 court filing.

Also ordered was a requirement for a type of gate that accommodates large studio vehicles, installation of a keypad and 12 keycards to be given to Melody Ranch.

The Road

More than two decades after the 1998 decision, Melody Ranch once again filed a lawsuit in court saying the gate was altered enough over the years that it was no longer in compliance with the original order; that the non-complying gate was delaying or causing damage to the studio or production property when the gate arm drops onto large vehicles and the tire spikes make “it impossible to continue through the gate … or in some instances popping tires, (and) disabling vehicles;” and that the PCC has abused its powers as the gatekeeper.

“PCC has repeatedly abused its power, including unilaterally revoking keycards purchased by community members when PCC decides they have been misused,” reads the complaint. “Most recently, PCC revoked a keycard of a community member because he used his card to hold the gate open so that vehicles fleeing a fire could get through — cars whose drivers had been diverted down Placerita Canyon (Road) toward the gate by Fire Department officials and who were otherwise stopped dead by the closed gate.”

PCC denied the allegations made by the Veluzat family, in its response.

“Despite the recent filing of this lawsuit by Melody Ranch Studio/Veluzats, PCC and its board continue to work to meet our responsibilities to the community of maintaining the road and gate, as well as our obligations under the agreement,” said the PCC letter to keycard holders.

“But now, PCC must also focus our time, efforts, and unfortunately your funds, dealing with this recently filed lawsuit rather than other planned projects, such as road and gate improvements, re-striping, signage repairs, and e-filed documentation for gate card privileges,” the letter added.

After the letter from PCC was sent out to Placerita Canyon residents, the 20-year-old debate over the gate resurfaced. The current price of a keycard is $200 a year.

Stanfield said Melody Ranch’s goal with the lawsuit is not to have the gate torn down, but to have the gate be in compliance with the 1998 court order.

The two parties are expected to meet in court March 8 for a case-management conference at the Chatsworth Courthouse.

This story has been updated to add comments from the attorney for Melody Ranch.

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


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Monday, Jun 23, 2025
City Launches New Online Recreation Registration System
The city of Santa Clarita has announced the launch of Kaizen, a new online recreation registration system designed to make it easier for residents to register for classes, programs and events.
Monday, Jun 23, 2025
June 24: Council Will Consider CalFire Hazard Map of City of Santa Clarita
The Santa Clarita City Council will meet in open session on Tuesday, June 24 at City Hall, with the first reading of an ordinance of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map of the city of Santa Clarita issued by CalFire.
Monday, Jun 23, 2025
Schiavo Leads Public Safety Budget Push
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo submitted a formal budget request letter calling for comprehensive funding, beyond the $110 million currently allocated, to fully implement Proposition 36.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
William S. Hart Park has been a cherished part of the Santa Clarita community for nearly 70 years.
Ken Striplin | Preserving a Community Treasure, William S. Hart Park
The city of Santa Clarita has announced the launch of Kaizen, a new online recreation registration system designed to make it easier for residents to register for classes, programs and events.
City Launches New Online Recreation Registration System
Ava DiNapoli, a senior at Valencia High School, placed second in Impromptu Speaking at the 2025 National Speech and Debate Association's National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.
Valencia High Student Placed Second at NSDA National Tournament
The Regular Meeting of the Saugus-Castaic School Facilities Financing Authority will be held on Tuesday, June 24, at the Saugus Union School District, 24930 Avenue Stanford, Santa Clarita, CA 91355, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room.
June 24: Saugus-Castaic School Facilities Financing Authority to Meet
The Santa Clarita City Council will meet in open session on Tuesday, June 24 at City Hall, with the first reading of an ordinance of the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map of the city of Santa Clarita issued by CalFire.
June 24: Council Will Consider CalFire Hazard Map of City of Santa Clarita
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo submitted a formal budget request letter calling for comprehensive funding, beyond the $110 million currently allocated, to fully implement Proposition 36.
Schiavo Leads Public Safety Budget Push
California Credit Union Foundation has awarded a scholarship to Saugus High School Senior Nathan Lieber as part of its College Scholarship Program, recognizing exceptional students for their school and community activities.
California Credit Union Foundation Awards Scholarship to SCV Student
The county of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation will host a "Pride at the Park" event, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 26 at Castaic Regional Sports Complex.
June 26: Castaic Sports Complex ‘Pride at the Park’
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of seven productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, June 23 to Saturday, June 28.
June 23-28: Seven Productions Filming in SCV
A special meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District’s Governing Board will be held Wednesday, June 25, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
June 25: Hart District Governing Board Special Meeting
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will hear input on a number of topics during a public hearing on Tuesday, June 24, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Board Hearing Room 381B, Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
June 24: L.A. County Supervisors’ Public Hearing
1946, 11:20pm: William S. Hart, 81, dies at L.A.'s California Lutheran Hospital, leaving his Newhall estate and his (now West) Hollywood home to the public [story]
Hart dies
1972 - Vasquez Rocks added to National Register of Historic Places [list]
Vasquez Rocks
The Agua Dulce Women's Club Community Blood Drive will be held Wednesday, June 25, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at 33201 Agua Dulce Canyon Road, Agua Dulce, CA 91390.
June 25: Agua Dulce Women’s Club Community Blood Drive
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, June 24 beginning at 6:40 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m.
June 24: Saugus Union School District Board Regular Meeting
1941 - Ernie Hickson buys out Trem Carr's interest in their Monogram movie ranch, renames it "Placeritos" (later called Melody) [story]
Ernie Hickson
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a meeting Wednesday, June 25, beginning with a closed session at 2:30 p.m. The open session begins at 5 p.m.
June 25: COC Board to Conduct Self-Evaluation Retreat
The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, the longest-running and largest food assistance organization in the SCV, has been selected by Albertsons Companies to receive a $30,000 makeover grant.
SCV Food Pantry to Receive $30K ‘Makeover’ from Albertsons
The Samuel Dixon Family Health Center invites the community to the Third Annual Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, June 21 at 11 a.m. at Lucky Luke Brewing Company.
June 21: Sam Dixon Cornhole Tournament at Lucky Luke Brewing
Calling all Los Angeles County artists and performers. If you're part of a dance, music, vocal, musical theater or circus group, you are encouraged to apply to be part of the 66th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration.
Performers Sought for Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration
The Castaic Union School District Governing Board will hold its regular meeting Thursday, June 26 at 6 p.m. The board will first meet in closed session at 5 p.m.
June 26: CUSD Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
Amateur Ham Radio National Field Day will be held Saturday, June 28, at Acton Park, noon to 9 p.m.
June 28: Amateur Ham Radio National Field Day at Acton Park
For one weekend only, Matchbox Theatre Co. is bringing its inaugural production of Johnna Adams’ "World Builders" to The MAIN.
June 27-29: Matchbox Theatre to Present ‘World Builders’ at The MAIN
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area will host its "Pride Outside," event 4-7 p.m. Sunday, June 29.
June 29: Pride Outside at Vasquez Rocks
SCVNews.com