Belcaro at Sand Canyon Project

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.