THE GAZETTE.
November-December 2005 • Year 11, Number 1.
A Specific Plan For Newhall.
By CAMERON SMYTH
Mayor of Newhall
And Neighboring Communities.
It doesn't take a new census to show that the city of Santa Clarita is growing at a rapid pace. New commercial and residential developments are being constructed throughout the valley, and the city is working hard to make sure local parks, roads and city services can keep up with growing demand. The city realizes that amid the new development is a rare opportunity to preserve the rich history and character of what already exists.
The city is currently working diligently to revitalize Old Town Newhall, and with the participation of residents, businesses and community leaders, has created a draft Downtown Newhall Specific Plan.
The draft Downtown Newhall Specific Plan came as the result of an intense public process that included public meetings, field trips to comparable places, two charrettes and an extended period of public comment. It is designed to be an outline of the projects the city hopes to carry out in the Old Town Newhall area in the next twenty years.
It is important to not only energize the area, but also to preserve the rich history of Old Town Newhall. Our community's roots are of utmost importance to the community and to the city. It is hoped that by carrying out the revitalization plan, the Old Town Newhall area can draw in visitors while sustaining already established businesses and residents.
By following the draft Downtown Newhall Specific Plan, the city hopes to create an area of civic pride — an area that would provide convenient access to local goods and services without the need for multiple stops at disconnected shopping centers. To create a more cohesive feel for the area, the city will strive for a unified look for all the businesses and storefronts.
More than that, the city plans to create a Main Street along what is currently San Fernando Road, between Lyons Avenue and Pine Street. An emphasis has been placed on designing attractive and functional pedestrian-oriented thoroughfares, of which Main Street will be the highlight.
The new Main Street will be two lanes wide and will incorporate on-street slant parking to maximize accessibility to businesses. Under the Specific Plan, Old Town Newhall has been designed to support a more walkable community, and the city intends to construct convenient parking structures in the surrounding area to ease traffic congestion.
Access to the beautiful 265-acre Hart Park will be featured prominently under the new plan, as the city strives to maintain a close connection with nature amid a bustling downtown. Pedestrian and vehicular access to the park will be improved, as will visibility into the park from Newhall Avenue. The goal will be to create a seamless connection to both the suburban and natural surroundings of the Old Town Newhall area.
Retail businesses along Main Street will be encouraged to develop above-store residential areas to allow for a truly mixed-use community. The city also hopes to establish a brand new museum and updated library to rejuvenate the area and benefit the whole of Santa Clarita.
An outdoor plaza and mercado have also been proposed as part of the plan. No such feature currently exists within the city, and it is hoped that this new area will draw in a variety of merchants offering fresh produce and other specialty items such as food, clothing and cafés.
At the plan's core, the city intends to provide a rich set of public spaces and public facilities that will encourage the community to become civically engaged. Additionally, a more concentrated and energetic area will facilitate renewed economic growth, and will help Old Town Newhall to become much more economically viable — something of interest to the entire community. New development will sit side-by-side with existing features to create a vibrant, self-sustaining city center.
Ultimately, the city hopes to provide an overall landscape in keeping with the traditional climate of Newhall so that future generations will be able to enjoy the unique culture that makes Old Town Newhall special to the city of Santa Clarita.
To take a look at the full draft Downtown Newhall Specific Plan, follow the link from Old Town Newhall.
©2005, Old Town Newhall USA. All rights reserved.
