I attended the public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Santa Clarita Activities Center where representatives from the Judicial Council presented plans for an eight-story courthouse proposed on the corner of McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard across from the mall. The proposed courthouse suggests consolidation of all juvenile criminal cases from the entire San Fernando Valley and conducting felony arraignments and trials in felony criminal cases from areas outside areas of Santa Clarita, as well as additional civil and family law courtrooms for trials.
Even though the addition of new family law courtrooms within the proposed plan could personally and professionally benefit me, I am 100% opposed to locating this courthouse in Santa Clarita. Placing a regional courthouse in the heart of town on an already congested corridor will significantly degrade the quality of life we all enjoy here.
Our city’s strength lies in its balance — a safe, connected community with a small-town feel where families can live, work and enjoy life close to home. Bringing a large-scale regional courthouse (think Van Nuys Courthouse) that handles felony criminal cases into our city would fundamentally alter that balance. It would introduce increased criminal case activity, congestion, and security concerns that will affect your sense of safety and quality of life we residents cherish. The location close to residential neighborhoods like The Summit, the Bungalows, Old Orchard, The Woodlands and more, as well as College of the Canyons and California Institute of the Arts, is alarming. This location and increased traffic will undoubtedly make it more difficult for emergency vehicles to get to the hospital.
Santa Clarita deserves thoughtful development that enhances our community’s well-being and reflects our shared values, not Sacramento decision makers deciding what is best for us. While I support improving access to court services, this project — particularly in this location and the types of cases that are being considered — is not in the best interest of our city.
I encourage all residents to make their voices heard by emailing Kim Bobic at [email protected] with public comments by Nov. 26. Our silence will be seen as acceptance.
This is exactly the type of development I would publicly oppose as a member of the Santa Clarita City Council. This is why I attended the meeting and why I will continue to attend these meetings until this courthouse proposal is amended. I am running for City Council to represent District 2 because I believe in protecting what makes Santa Clarita special for all residents — our safety, our community character, and our quality of life. Please help us defeat this project, or at least get it modified in size, scope and location.
We need everyone’s input.
Denise Lite
Santa Clarita
