Santa Clarita Org. for Planning etc. v. City of Santa Clarita CA2/8

INTRODUCTION

This appeal and cross-appeal are from a writ of mandate involving the Vista Canyon Project, a proposed mixed real estate development in the City of Santa Clarita (the Project). The appellants are: the developer, Vista Canyon Ranch, LLC (Vista); the City of Santa Clarita (City); and the Santa Clarita City Council (Council). Collectively, we will refer to these parties as the “City,” even though some of the events may refer only to the City of Santa Clarita. The respondents are three community groups opposed to the Project: the Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment (SCOPE), Friends of the Santa Clara River and Homeowners of Neighborhood Preservation. Collectively, we will refer to these parties as “SCOPE.” The Project’s 185-acre site, located in an unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County adjacent to the City of Santa Clarita, is owned by Vista, except for 43 acres along the Santa Clara River corridor which are owned by the City of Santa Clarita. The Project includes sale of four of the City-owned acres to Vista and annexation of the entire site to the City of Santa Clarita. The stretch of the Santa Clara River (the River) which runs through…