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4.L Law Enforcement Services

4.L-1(b) Prior to issuance of building permits, the applicant shall provide the Sheriff’s
Department with plans indicating the project’s street circulation system and
building addresses to facilitate emergency response.

5. CUMULATIVE PROJECT IMPACTS

The cumulative project impacts on law enforcement services are analyzed within the
geographical context of the Santa Clarita Valley. This project in conjunction with other related
projects in the area would contribute to population growth and would generate an increased
demand for Sheriff’s Department and CHP services. As discussed above, the payment of the
Law Enforcement Facilities Fees as specified in Chapter 22.74 of the Los Angeles County Code
for new residential, commercial, and office development in the Santa Clarita area would fully
mitigate impacts on law enforcement facilities. Regarding impacts on staffing, based on
SCAG’s 2020 population projections, the Sheriff’s Department Santa Clarita Valley station area
would need an additional 363 personnel to accommodate the forecasted population growth.
14
The Sheriff’s Department has indicated that for the proposed project, four new deputies would be
required to maintain ideal staffing ratios for the Sheriff’s Department. As with this project, it is
anticipated that most sizeable new development projects (either planned, committed, or
proposed) in the area would be subject to discretionary review on a per-project basis, including
evaluations of the adequacy of law enforcement services. The need for additional law
enforcement personnel associated with cumulative growth would be addressed through such
reviews and through the County’s budgeting process overseen by the County Board of
Supervisors. While project-by-project mitigation and general fund revenues have historically
supported adequate levels of law enforcement services in the area, if sufficient funding for
Sheriff’s services is not maintained by the County, project and cumulative demand for law
enforcement services would overextend existing personnel. If this occurred, the project’s
contribution to impacts on the Sheriff’s Department staffing would be cumulatively considerable
and a significant and unavoidable cumulative impact could occur. Beyond feasible project-by-
project mitigation and allocation of general fund revenues, no other mitigation measures have
been identified that would address this potential cumulative impact on Department personnel.
As discussed above, CHP services are funded primarily from the state’s motor vehicle
registration fees through the State Motor Vehicle Fund. It is anticipated that future population
growth will also lead to an increase in the motor vehicle funds, which would then be available
for use by CHP. The future demand for Newhall CHP services would be determined by CHP
Headquarters, which would provide appropriate funding as feasible. However, should the CHP
be unable to allocate sufficient funds to the Newhall CHP station, the project’s impacts would be
cumulatively considerable and a significant and unavoidable cumulative impact on CHP services
could occur.

14 Santa Clarita Valley General Plan Technical Background Report, February 2004.

County of Los Angeles Department of Regional Planning Skyline Ranch Project
PCR Services Corporation July 2009

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