Belcaro at Sand Canyon

Spoke in support of the project, stating that senior housing creates much-needed housing inventory turnover for younger generations.

Supported the senior housing project, noting it gives empty nesters a place to downsize locally.

Strongly opposed the project as incompatible with the Sand Canyon Special Standards District and a severe wildfire evacuation hazard.

Argued that the single-lane roundabout is inadequate and criticized the lack of a second northern evacuation route or bridge.

Questioned public notification methods and criticized overdevelopment in Santa Clarita.

Speaking for SCOPE, opposed the project due to extreme wildfire risks, environmental damage, and gas line hazards.

Cited municipal code violations of the Sand Canyon Special Standards District and questioned evacuation traffic numbers.

Shared decades of wildfire history in Sand Canyon and argued that adding 341 homes will create gridlock.

Opposed the project, emphasizing that seniors moved to Sand Canyon for rural privacy, not suburban density.

Stated that local schools and morning traffic already cause severe backups, and building 341 homes will ruin rare wildlife habitat.

Shared harrowing personal experiences of evacuating previous fires and argued all evacuation models fail in reality.

Argued against the roundabout and increased traffic near schools, noting safety risks for disabled residents and children.

Described painting his phone number on his animals during the Sand Fire and criticized rushing development without infrastructure.

Challenged assumptions that seniors drive less and warned about construction traffic on narrow Lost Canyon Road.

Highlighted legal and environmental flaws in the EIR, including unstudied impacts on Comet Way and high-pressure gas lines.

Raised serious safety concerns regarding grading and heavy vehicle traffic over high-pressure natural gas transmission lines on Comet Way.

Stated that Comet Way is unsuited for construction or emergency traffic and called for a bridge across the Santa Clara River.

Described worsening morning commute speeds and high daily vehicle trips generated by the project.

Urged the commission to reject the project until traffic and evacuation deficiencies in the EIR are corrected.

Asked why a river bridge is feasible at Vista Canyon but dismissed for Belcaro, emphasizing fire safety needs.

Expressed frustration with long evacuation times and urged that a bridge be built before any homes are sold.

Warned that panicking drivers and long evacuation times will lead to accidents and casualties.

Shared personal evacuation experiences and argued that Sand Canyon cannot support additional development.

Speaking for the Sand Canyon Community Association, insisted that a river bridge is required to prevent gridlock.

Warned that the project is a death trap that will skyrocket insurance rates and endanger lives during wind-driven fires.

A retired L.A. County battalion chief stated that the project's evacuation plan will not work and poses extreme danger.

Criticized flawed EIR assumptions about evacuation speeds and real human behavior during emergencies.

Shared memories of losing a Sand Canyon home to fire and urged commissioners not to approve unsafe development.

Described daily traffic chaos at the Lost Canyon intersection and doubted any traffic fix will work.

A retired first responder warned of gridlock during evacuations and pleaded for human safety over profits.

Argued that overdevelopment ruins the quality of life, increases pollution, and destroys local ecosystems.

Supported the senior housing project, noting the successful track record of the developer's Belcaro project in Valencia and the need for downsizing options.

Expressed support for the project, highlighting the need for the proposed roundabout and secondary access road, but urged safeguards to ensure promised infrastructure is actually built.

Spoke on behalf of the SCV Chamber of Commerce in support of the project, emphasizing economic vitality, senior housing demand, and lower impact on schools.

Supported the project as a realtor, pointing out that building senior housing frees up larger family homes for younger generations.

Spoke as Chamber board chair in support of the project, highlighting economic benefits, senior housing needs, and lack of impact on school enrollment.

A 20-year Sand Canyon resident and emergency management professional who supported the project due to the added secondary emergency access route and equestrian staging area.

Supported the project as a needed housing option for seniors that avoids maximizing density under state density bonus laws.

Expressed strong opposition, citing property line disputes, increased traffic, and severe wildfire evacuation concerns.

Strongly opposed the project due to extreme wildfire risks in a high fire hazard severity zone and inadequate evacuation routes.

Opposed the project, detailing personal experiences with fires and floods in Sand Canyon and demanding a bridge across the wash instead of increased traffic on Lost Canyon.

Opposed the project, raising property access and liability issues regarding Comet Way and questioning traffic and safety impacts.

Expressed opposition, detailing historical legal and infrastructure burdens placed on Comet Way residents by developers.

Expressed opposition as a resident living near the proposed roundabout, citing driveway access loss and severe traffic concerns.

Strongly opposed the project, showing photographs of past Sand Canyon fires and emphasizing the impossibility of safe evacuation during major wildfire events.

Longtime Sand Canyon resident who expressed concern over evacuation gridlock and urged the construction of a river bridge.

Expressed opposition as a nurse and realtor, questioning the senior housing demographics and highlighting the dangers of horse evacuations through roundabouts.

Expressed strong opposition, citing the burden on private roads like Comet Way and neighborhood safety concerns.

Opposed the project after 42 years living in Sand Canyon, citing severe evacuation nightmares and rural character preservation.

Criticized the timing of the EIR release on the day of the hearing and raised concerns regarding wildfire exclusions, emergency power, and project alternatives.

Stressed the lessons of the Camp Fire and Sand Fire, demanding a four-lane bridge across the riverbed regardless of cost.

Stated the meeting was premature due to the EIR release timing, argued the project violates the Sand Canyon Special Standards District, and warned of extreme evacuation delays.

Expressed appreciation for commissioner questions, described firsthand experiences with local floods and fires, and invited officials to observe roundabout traffic.

Asked detailed questions regarding environmental impact significance thresholds, property-by-property impacts, stormwater drainage across the wash, and feasibility changes.

Expressed concern over light pollution, habitat destruction, and crime, voicing support for alternative one (no build).

Equestrian resident on Sand Canyon who opposed the project due to severe wildfire evacuation hazards and lack of adequate infrastructure.