Santa Clarita City Hall held a meeting Tuesday where the planning commission discussed a plan to build 50 affordable senior homes as part of a larger development project in Canyon Country. The developer, New Urban West, requested more time to build out its 20-acre lot off Lost Canyon Road due to difficulties obtaining insurance coverage and financing for the affordable units.
The commission unanimously agreed to give the developer more time, allowing them to build 240 of their planned 287 units before securing financing for the affordable senior homes. However, some residents expressed concerns that the commission might let the developer off the hook for building the affordable component.
New Urban West’s vice president, Jonathan Frankel, explained that obtaining insurance coverage for buildings larger than three units is extremely difficult in California, particularly in high-severity fire zones. He also mentioned that financing for affordable housing has been competitive and challenging for this project.
The commission discussed several options, including allowing more time to build permits, approving an in-lieu fee for the developer to pay if they don’t build the affordable units, or implementing a financial penalty if the affordable component doesn’t get built. However, acting city attorney Carl Berger stated that such a contingency could be legally problematic due to the project being on private property.
A planned discussion on the city’s approach to affordable housing is expected to take place later this year. The commission signed off on city planners’ recommendations, which include allowing 7 feet between units instead of 10, and eliminating apartments in favor of fewer for-sale homes and detached condos.
Source: https://signalscv.com/2025/04/eastside-project-to-abandon-rentals-for-condos