Dear Sir or Madam: Please find attached our letter in ...

1

Hai Nguyen

From: Bruce Smith <[email protected]>Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 2:09 PMTo: Bill Miranda; Laurene Weste; Cameron Smyth; Marsha McLean; Jason Gibbs; dmasnada@santa-

clarita.com; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Patrick Leclair; Hai Nguyen

Cc: [email protected]; Joe Montes; [email protected]; [email protected]: Letter of Opposition to the Sand Canyon Country ClubAttachments: Sand Canyon Development Opposition Letter.pdf

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Dear Sir or Madam:

Please find attached our letter in opposition to the Sand Canyon Country Club.

Thank you for your consideration.

Captain Robert B. Smith, USN (ret)

23217 Beaumont Street Valencia, CA 91354

April 26, 2021

City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Boulevard Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Mayor, Members of the City Council, Planning Commission and Staff: Subject: Proposed Sand Canyon Resort and Spa

I firmly oppose the Sand Canyon Resort and Spa for several reasons as follows:

1. It will violate the Special Standards District.

2. The Grant of Open Space “in perpetuity.” If this clause alone is violated, a dangerous door is opened and SCV may become a big mess like our neighbor, the City of Los Angeles. Could we ever trust the word of the City of Santa Clarita going forward…something to think about.

3. Fire/disaster egress/ingress by residents, First Responders and guests are further impacted. No viable additional evacuation route has been proposed.

4. This development benefits one (1) individual with an immense fortune. Also, he is not a resident of Santa Clarita. This development negatively impacts several thousand residents in every way imaginable. The guests of the resort will not contribute as much to our City as they consume in resources an services.

5. The net sum total of all approved development projects nearby including Vista Canyon, Sand Canyon Plaza, and Mancara, will further stress evacuation as well as traffic and safety even without this proposed development. Is Planning and City Council considering this?

6. The already limited roads cannot be widened. Furthermore, Sand Canyon Road is a popular bicycling route. Additional traffic will have an effect on this popular part of our community.

7. Our area is currently and commonly in drought. How can a mega water user even be considered? Many wells in the area went dry when the original golf course started pumping the ground water. It will only get worse.

8. With so many “hard” non-starter issues, why is the City wasting valuable tax payer money on this?

Please don’t let Santa Clarita become another San Fernando Valley mess--this could be the start.

Sincerely,

Robert Bruce Smith

cc: Scott Wilk, California State Senate Mike Garcia, U.S. House of Representatives

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Hai Nguyen

From: Patrick LeclairSent: Monday, May 3, 2021 11:32 AMTo: Hai NguyenSubject: FW: Against Sand Canyon Resort LetterAttachments: Sand Canyon Resort Letter_5.3.21.docx

Patrick Leclair Senior Planner City of Santa Clarita Phone: (661) 255‐4349 Email: pleclair@santa‐clarita.com

From: Pnina Evans <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 3, 2021 10:25 AM To: Bill Miranda <BMIRANDA@santa‐clarita.com>; Laurene Weste <LWESTE@santa‐clarita.com>; Cameron Smyth <CSMYTH@santa‐clarita.com>; Marsha McLean <MMCLEAN@santa‐clarita.com>; Jason Gibbs <JGIBBS@santa‐clarita.com>; dmasnada@santa‐clarita.com; dostrom@santa‐clarita.com; rberlin@santa‐clarita.com; leichman@santa‐clarita.com; tburkhart@santa‐clarita.com; Patrick Leclair <PLECLAIR@santa‐clarita.com> Subject: Against Sand Canyon Resort Letter


Dear Sir or Madam:

Please find attached a letter in opposition to the Sand Canyon Country Club.

Thank you for your consideration.

Pnina Evans

15004 Live Oak Springs Cyn Rd

Canyon Country, CA 91387

May 3, 2021

City of Santa Clarita

23920 Valencia Boulevard

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Mayor, Members of the City Council, Planning Commission and Staff:

Subject: Proposed Sand Canyon Resort and Spa

I firmly oppose the Sand Canyon Resort and Spa for several reasons as follows:

1. It will violate the Special Standards District.

2. The Grant of Open Space “in perpetuity.” If this clause alone is violated, a dangerous door is opened and SCV

may become a big mess like the city we left. Could we ever trust the word of The City going forward…something

to think about.

3. Fire/disaster egress/ingress by residents, First Responders and guests are further impacted. No viable additional

evacuation route has been proposed.

4. This development benefits one (1) individual with an immense fortune. Also, he is not a resident of Santa

Clarita. This development negatively impacts several thousand residents.

5. The net sum total of all approved development projects nearby including Vista Canyon, Sand Canyon Plaza, and

Mancara, will further stress evacuation as well as traffic and safety even without this proposed development. Is

Planning and City Council considering this?

6. The already limited roads cannot be widened. Furthermore, Sand Canyon Road is a popular bicycling route.

Additional traffic will have an effect on this popular part of our community.

7. Our area is currently and commonly in drought. How can a mega water user even be considered? Many wells in

the area went dry when the original golf course started pumping the ground water. It will only get worse.

8. If this project were proposed in a Valencia neighborhood, would it have even gotten this far? What next,

commercial development in Central Park, The Woodlands, etc.?

9. With so many “hard” non‐starter issues, why is the City wasting valuable tax payer money on this?

Please don’t let Santa Clarita become another San Fernando Valley mess‐‐this could be the start.

Sincerely,

Pnina Evans

May 7, 2021

Dear Planning Commissioners:

As a resident of Sand Canyon and a Real Estate Broker/Developer with a Market

Research background, I am extremely concerned about changing the Zoning from

Residential to Community Commercial. Sand Canyon is rural and equestrian,

serviced by a two lane road. It is unsuitable for a Hotel and I contend that the

Hotel is economically viable,

The City of Santa Clarita, like most cities in the United States, is impacted by the

changing business climate. Office buildings are going unused because more people

work from home. Consumer behavior has changed. Retail purchases are being

replaced by online sales and vacancies in malls and strip centers are common.

Per The Wall Street Journal on May 4, "Mall owners have hit on a new way to fill

gaping holes left by failed department stores and other departing big-box tenants: hosting

public schools in need of more space. Dozens of charter and other public schools have

leased space in shopping centers."

Businesses must adjust to survive. Decision-making is requiring new business

models. Cities must adjust as well, in order to continue to thrive. Recently, one of

the office buildings planned for Vista Canyon was converted to apartments and

condominiums because office space is not profitable. Westfield, the developer of

the Valencia Town Center, has decided not to go forward with Patios Connection

Plan and the planned Costco. Per the Signal on April 19, "Westfield moved quickly to

adapt to the realities created by a global pandemic and the accelerated consumer trends for the retail industry,”

As a market research professional, I am skeptical of the ability of Sand Canyon

Resort to compete in the highly competitive hospitality industry. CBRE has

indicated that a new Market Demand Study is needed. How much would the hotel

rely on business use? Weddings seem to be part of the Business Plan, but many of

the guests are local and do not need hotel rooms. The Vista Canyon Hotel rates

might siphon away some guests as well. Can two hotels in Canyon Country survive?

In the March 15, 2021 issue of Bottom Line - Lodging Analyst Dan Wasiolek

predicted that Economy Hotel revenue will rebound strongly this year. That

market segment is bouncing back faster than business travel.

Cornell University has a prestigious School of Hotel Administration. In the April

15 Webinar entitled "Hotel Performance, Capital Markets and Consumer Behavior",

Rachel Rothman, the CBRE Head of Data Analytics, stated that the

Corporate/Group travel got hit the worst. She stated that the economy lodging

contingent would recover quicker. She stated that 50% of hotel business is

commercially driven, especially at the upper tier.

Is the Luxury Market demand for the Sand Canyon location strong enough to

compete with established Resorts like La Quinta, Terranea on the oceanfront in

Palos Verdes, the Rosewood Miramar on the beach in Santa Barbara, or the Ojai

Valley Inn?

Rick Caruso, the billionaire developer of The Grove, is a very experienced real

estate developer. But when he bought the run-down Miramar Property on the

beach in Santa Barbara, he affiliated with Rosewood, an upscale hotel chain. Why

is Mr. Kim not interested in Rosewood, Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons? Perhaps, it is

because those Hotel Groups are not interested in the Sand Canyon location

because they don't see it having any compelling attractions that would guarantee

success.

Mr. Kim has been touting that he will have a 5 Star Hotel. But, once the property

is rezoned, he could easily change it to an Economy Hotel if that was the only way

it could attract visitors. Or he could sell the property to someone who wanted to

build something more feasible, like apartments or another commercial use. How

would the City react? The damage would be done and Sand Canyon would suffer

immensely. I believe that if rezoned, whatever might be built on the site will

dramatically change the character of Sand Canyon and be a negative blow to the

property values of the homes nearby.

As Planning Commissioners, I assume you are acutely aware that the City of Santa

Clarita must be careful in managing the growth of the City, in order to ensure that

public spaces thrive and that projected tax revenues are realistic. Yesterday's

dreams may no longer come true. Mr. Kim's goal, regardless of his claims, is to

maximize the value of property that he feels is no longer suitable for a golf course.

If he is successful in re-zoning the property, there is no guarantee that he will

build the Sand Canyon Resort. The City would be powerless if he changed his mind,

just like Westfield did at the Town Center. It is my hope that the Planning

Commission will prevent such a potential disaster. It is my hope that the Planning

Commission deny this re-zoning to protect the City and Sand Canyon from a

permanent negative consequence. Keep Sand Canyon rural and equestrian! Let

Steve Kim, sell his property to someone who can make the Golf Course successful.

Thank you,

Diane Wilson

26826 Sand Canyon Road

1

Hai Nguyen

From: Carolyn Moore <[email protected]>Sent: Sunday, May 9, 2021 12:38 PMTo: Hai NguyenSubject: RE: MC18-021 Sand Canyon Resort Project Update


Re: Opposition to the Sand Canyon Resort Project and EIR Dear Mr. Nguyen, Thank you for forwarding the link to the Final Draft EIR and the response comments therein. I continue to express my opposition to this project. Mr. Kim and the team of people who prepared the report may live in a fantasy world wherein substantially increasing the population and traffic in a rural canyon area have no impact. The reality of this project is so far removed from the reality of those who live nearby it is tragic. Just because something is potentially legal, does not make it moral or ethical. If this project is approved, I can only conclude that potential tax dollars are much more important than the safety, life‐style and desires of people who actually live in Sand Canyon. Please ensure that this email is distributed to the members of the Planning Commission and the City Council who were elected to represent the people of this community. Planning Commission members, please accept my thanks for your efforts. Best regards, Carolyn Moore 661‐993‐8282

From: Hai Nguyen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, May 7, 2021 4:26 PM Subject: MC18-021 Sand Canyon Resort Project Update Good afternoon: You are receiving this email because you have indicated that you would like to receive notifications or have submitted a comment letter on the Sand Canyon Resort Project, Master Case 18‐021. This email is to inform you that the Draft Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is posted on the City’s website here: https://www.santa‐clarita.com/city‐hall/departments/community‐development/planning‐division/environmental‐impact‐reports‐under‐review/sand‐canyon‐resort. A hard copy is available for review with the City Clerk. The next Planning Commission meeting on this item will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The agenda packet will be posted on Friday, May 14, 2021. I will send another notification email once it’s available to download. Please forward any comments or questions to Hai Nguyen, Associate Planner, at (661) 255‐4365 or hnguyen@santa‐clarita.com.

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Thank you, Hai __________________________

Hai Nguyen Associate Planner Planning Division City of Santa Clarita Phone: (661) 255-4365 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.santa-clarita.com

May 9, 2021

City of Santa Clarita

23920 Valencia Boulevard

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Planning Commission and Staff, Mayor, Members of the City Council, Mr. Garcia & Mr. Wilk

Subject: Review of latest draft of the EIR

Reference: Proposed Sand Canyon Country Club

After reviewing the lengthy revised EIR, I continue to oppose the Sand Canyon Country Club for the following

reasons:

1) This project brings NO benefits to the local community; only a variety of negative impacts outlined in the

respondents letters.

2) It appears to me that the overwhelming majority of respondents DO NOT want this resort. Approximately

70% of the very few respondents that are for the project have the appearance of having received some

sort of thinly veiled “inspiration” to write on behalf of the developer and in many cases do not live in the

affected area.

3) I continue to see a lot of dancing around the show stoppers of:

a. The Special Standards District

b. Disaster evacuation

c. Traffic impact

d. Ceding of “ In Perpetuity” Open Space

e. Allowing a commercial venture in a rural community

f. Drought

g. The net sum total of all the development already approved in the area; vacuum approvals.

h. Negative impact to local homeowners property values

Additionally with all due respect, I question the true availability of water as we go into another drought. When we

last experienced water rationing, new projects were still being approved. When I questioned this during the last

drought, as my landscaping died….more tap dancing. I came to the conclusion then that the proprietor of water

will always say it’s available; even when there is not enough. Drought brings the opportunity to raise rates. They

are in the business of selling water and to make a profit.

In closing I hope that the City of Santa Clarita addresses the safety and desire of the thousands (1000’s) of

impacted local residents; not the desire of one (1) out of area developer. If this area is so great for a resort, why

doesn’t the developer live here?

Thank you to all involved for your efforts and for considering my observations.

Samuel Moore

cc: Mike Garcia, Scott Wilk

1

Hai Nguyen

From: Ruthann Levison <[email protected]>Sent: Monday, May 10, 2021 4:32 PMTo: Hai NguyenCc: Jason Crawford; Patrick LeclairSubject: Re: MC18-021 Sand Canyon Resort Project


Dear Hai, Planing Department & Planning Commissioners: 5/10/2021

Betrayal is the breaking or violation of a presumptive contract, trust, or confidence that produces moral and psychological conflict within a relationship amongst individuals, between organizations or between individuals and organizations. We are now on the precipice of being “betrayed”! A bit of my personal history…..My husband Mike & I found Canyon County, fell in love with the area and built our “forever ranch” in Sand Canyon in 1983. Shortly thereafter we became actively involved in our wonderful “Special Standards District” community. The City hadn’t been born yet. When the City did come into being our piece of heaven continued as a “special standards” district. It was very rural and totally in keeping with our Santa Clarita “cowboy heritage” which continues to this day. Back then, Mike was our Trails Chair and then in 1999, I became a board member of the Sand Canyon Community (that was 22 yrs ago. I have been President of our community for several years now. I also became involved with the City as a Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commissioner in 2006 and just recently retired after 14 years of service as a commissioner. Up to recently I have trusted the City implicitly. (Sadly, now, my trust has been seriously shaken). Along the way the Robinson Ranch Golf Course came into being. I was on the SCHOA board and involved in the negotiations which was originally Hunters Green, then morphed into the Robinson Ranch Golf Club. Due to the clustering of the homes on their property, the golf courses after serious negotiations were deemed to remain open space “in perpetuity” for our community. If the City was to allow a new owner to ignore the zoning in our area and change any of the open space golf courses to community commercial that would be a complete betrayal to our community. Not only to our community but to any community or resident in our City of Santa Clarita. How could the City ever be trusted by anyone again. Thank you for listening. Ruthann Levison 661‐252‐1360

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Hai Nguyen

From: [email protected]: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 2:31 PMTo: Hai NguyenSubject: Sand Canyon Resort (MC 18-021)Attachments: SCHOA Survey Ltr to Planning Commission.docx; SCHOA Survey Results.pdf


Good afternoon Hai. Please find attached a letter and survey regarding the proposed Sand Canyon Resort (MC 18‐021) to be included in the packet for the upcoming Planning Commission meeting. If any additional information is needed, please let me know. It appears my email provider is conducting maintenance on their server today. I hope you receive this information without difficulty. If you would be so kind, please confirm receipt. Thanks Hai Dana Martin

Mr. Dana K. Martin 26421 Deer Creek Lane Santa Clarita, CA 91387

May 11, 2021

City Planning Commission City of Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, CA 91355

RE: Sand Canyon Resort (MC 18-021)

Dear Planning Commissioners,

In February 2021, The Sand Canyon Homeowners Association (SCHOA) conducted a survey of residents in Sand Canyon regarding the proposed Sand Canyon Resort. The purpose of this correspondence is to share those survey results with you.

There are approximately 1,000 homes in Sand Canyon. Of these homes 776 or 77% are on the SCHOA email list. On February 23, 2021, SCHOA sent out a survey to this email list regarding the Sand Canyon Resort. The survey was only emailed one time, no reminders were sent. Responses were received from 241 households for a response rate of 31.1%. This is an excellent response rate for an emailed survey with no follow up. According to PeoplePulse, the average response rate for an external survey is 10% - 15%. Survey response rates of 5% - 30% are typical. SCHOA utilized SurveyMonkey in conducting this survey. According to SurveyMonkey, response rates can be as high as 20% - 30%. Our results exceed this.

The data above confirms the sample size and response rate for this survey are significant and represent the views of Sand Canyon households. The most significant data point in this 10-question survey is that 86.7% of Sand Canyon OPPOSE the Sand Canyon Resort. The full survey is attached to this letter. Below is a summary of each question and the predominate responses.

1. How familiar are you with the proposed plan to develop a commercial resort in Sand Canyon? Extremely Familiar 37.08% / Very Familiar 34.17% / Somewhat Familiar 25%

2. Do you oppose a zone change to commercial to allow the Sand Canyon Resort to be built in Sand Canyon? YES 82.16% / NO 17.84%

3. How much of a negative impact do you feel the proposed Sand Canyon Resort would have on fire evacuations in Sand Canyon? Extremely Negative Impact 83.75% / Moderate Impact 10.42% / No Impact 5.83%

4. How much of a negative impact do you feel the proposed Sand Canyon Resort would have on traffic in Sand Canyon? Extremely Negative Impact 80.91% / Moderate Impact 13.28% / No Impact 5.81%

5. Do you oppose the City allowing the Sand Canyon Resort to be built on Open Space granted to Sand Canyon into perpetuity; in exchange for the developer purchasing land elsewhere in the City for Open Space. YES 85.65% / NO 14.35%

6. How much of a negative impact do you feel the proposed Sand Canyon Resort would have on the environment (water, wildlife, noise, light) in Sand Canyon? Extremely Negative Impact 81.25% / Moderate Impact 12.08% / No Negative Impact 6.67%

7. Are you in favor of the Sand Canyon Resort being built? NO 86.67% / YES 13.33%

8. Are you aware that the proposed Sand Canyon Resort does not conform to the Sand Canyon Special Standards District? YES 80.08% / NO 19.92%

9. Are you concerned that the proposed resort will forever change the quiet, rural character of Sand Canyon? A Great Deal 80.91%

10. Would you like to see a 241-room main hotel, a 3-story 81-room wedding hotel, 14 two-story villas, ball rooms, meeting rooms, 3 restaurants, recreational facilities, and more just inside the gate of the golf course? (as of the date of the survey) NO 87.08% / YES 12.92%

SCHOA has been a voice in the community since shortly after the City was incorporated. I personally have been on the SCHOA Board of Directors for almost 25 years. We conducted this survey to ensure that we are speaking on behalf of the Sand Canyon community on this critical issue. The people of Sand Canyon have spoken loud and clear. We overwhelmingly oppose the proposed Sand Canyon Resort.

Sincerely,

Dana K. Martin SCHOA Board of Directors

Sand Canyon Resort SurveyMonkey

1 / 10

37.08% 89

34.17% 82

25.00% 60

2.92% 7

0.83% 2

Q1 How familiar are you with the proposed plan to develop a commercialresort in Sand Canyon?

Answered: 240 Skipped: 1

TOTAL 240

Extremelyfamiliar

Very familiar

Somewhatfamiliar

Not so familiar

Not at allfamiliar

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES

Extremely familiar

Very familiar

Somewhat familiar

Not so familiar

Not at all familiar


2 / 10

82.16% 198

17.84% 43

Q2 Do you oppose a zone change to commercial to allow the SandCanyon Resort to be built in Sand Canyon?


TOTAL 241

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No


3 / 10

83.75% 201

10.42% 25

5.83% 14

Q3 How much of a negative impact do you feel the proposed Sand CanyonResort would have on fire evacuations in Sand Canyon?


TOTAL 240

Extremelynegative impact

Moderate impact

No negativeimpact at all

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Extremely negative impact

Moderate impact

No negative impact at all


4 / 10

80.91% 195

13.28% 32

5.81% 14

Q4 How much of a negative impact do you feel the proposed Sand CanyonResort would have on traffic in Sand Canyon?


TOTAL 241


Moderate impact


0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%



Moderate impact



5 / 10

85.65% 203

14.35% 34

Q5 Do you oppose the City allowing the Sand Canyon Resort to be built onOpen Space granted to Sand Canyon into perpetuity; in exchange for the

developer purchasing land elsewhere in the City for Open Space.Answered: 237 Skipped: 4

TOTAL 237

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No


6 / 10

81.25% 195

12.08% 29

6.67% 16

Q6 How much of a negative impact do you feel the proposed Sand CanyonResort would have on the environment (water, wildlife, noise, light) in Sand

Canyon?Answered: 240 Skipped: 1

TOTAL 240


Moderate impact


0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%



Moderate impact



7 / 10

13.33% 32

86.67% 208

Q7 Are you in favor of the Sand Canyon Resort being built?Answered: 240 Skipped: 1

TOTAL 240

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No


8 / 10

80.08% 193

19.92% 48

Q8 Are you aware that the proposed resort does not conform to the SandCanyon Special Standards district?


TOTAL 241

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No


9 / 10

80.91% 195

3.73% 9

5.81% 14

3.73% 9

5.81% 14

Q9 Are you concerned that the proposed resort will forever change thequiet, rural character of Sand Canyon


TOTAL 241

A great deal

A lot

A moderateamount

A little

None at all

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


A great deal

A lot

A moderate amount

A little

None at all


10 / 10

12.92% 31

87.08% 209

Q10 Would you like to see a 241 room main hotel, a 3-story - 81 roomwedding hotel, 14 two story villas, ball rooms, meeting rooms, 3

restaurants, recreational facilities, and more just inside the gate of the golfcourse?


TOTAL 240

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%


Yes

No

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