The state of California’s proposal to build an eight-story courthouse on McBean Parkway is not a city project and it was neither requested nor selected by the city of Santa Clarita.
I want to emphasize how important it is for everyone to send their public comments — those are the voices that truly count, to: Kim Bobic, Senior Project Manager, Judicial Council of California; Facilities Services, 2860 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833-3409; phone 805-249-0911; email [email protected].
Three years after the state asked the city for potential sites, the state came last week announcing a site was chosen solely by the state despite the fact that three years ago the city provided more than two dozen alternative locations for consideration. None of those locations included the parcel now being proposed that is at McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard.
While improved court services are important for North Los Angeles County, the site selected is not appropriate for a project of this scale. McBean Parkway is already heavily congested and serves as a primary route to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. The plan for fewer than 300 parking spaces is inadequate and will burden nearby neighborhoods, similar to what we’ve seen around the Sylmar courthouse. Additionally, an eight-story structure would not match the surrounding area and does not follow our city’s development standards.
The new courthouse would process cases from across the entire North Los Angeles County region, not just Santa Clarita, and handle all case types, including civil, misdemeanor and felony matters. Currently, our local courthouse does not process felony cases.
Under the proposed plan, individuals released after felony hearings would be released directly into the surrounding residential area.
Though the city does not control the approval process, I am advocating strongly for a more suitable location, one with direct freeway access, safer traffic flow, and room for proper parking and security. My commitment is to protect the quality of life in Santa Clarita, and you can be part of this effort in working for the greater good of our community.
I encourage residents to submit comments to the Judicial Council before the Nov. 26 deadline so that our concerns are clearly heard.
Patsy Ayala
Councilwoman, city of Santa Clarita
