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Tesoro del Valle (Phases A, B, C)
Draft Supplemental EIR

6.6.4 MODIFIED 2012 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY AREA PLAN ALTERNATIVE

Description of the Alternative

The purpose of the Modified 2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan Alternative is to illustrate what
could be built on the project site based on the density authorized by the current Community Plan
and zoning ordinances, but without the addition of new significant impacts as noted previously in
Section 6.5.2. As discussed previously, the 2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan would allow for
development of a 79.8-acre area in Phase B and a 322.7-acre area in Phase C. However,
development of the Phase C area would introduce new impacts related to air quality, biological
resources, noise, and traffic; therefore, this alternative evaluates a modified version of what would
be allowable under the 2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan by limiting development to Phase B
and avoiding the introduction of new impacts. The Project Site would be subject to the Castaic
Community Services District and Hillside Management Areas (HMA) Ordinance, both of which
would locate development outside of hillside management areas (HMAs) to the extent possible;
locate development in areas with the fewest hillside constraints; and use hillside design
techniques to guide design within the HMAs. According to the HMA Ordinance, development
would be restricted in areas with 50 percent or greater natural slopes. Additionally, in compliance
with the Castaic Area Community Standards District (CSD), development would avoid primary
and secondary ridgelines. Therefore, with application of the restrictions for development identified
in the HMA Ordinance and Castaic CSD, assuming an average of 5,000 square foot lots, and
assuming approximately 25 percent of the area would be developed with infrastructure uses, a
total of 520 dwelling units could be developed under the Modified 2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area
1
Plan Alternative. This is shown on Exhibit 6-1, 2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan Alternative,
as only the Phase B development area. As shown, access would be from Avenida Rancho Tesoro
and Reyes Adobe Way. Parklands and recreational facilities would be provided consistent with
the County’s requirements and the Castaic Community Standards District. Although development
would be limited through adherence with applicable ordinances and regulations, up to 79.8 acres
could be developed under the Modified 2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan Alternative.

Comparative Analysis of Environmental Impacts

Aesthetics

The Modified 2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan Alternative would reduce the number of
proposed dwelling units and would also reduce the development area. The reduction in dwelling
units would occur within the western and northern portions of the proposed Project site; therefore,
consistent with the proposed Project, this alternative would be visible from surrounding uses,
including residential uses and drivers along San Francisquito Canyon Road and Copper Hill Drive.
The proposed Project was determined to result in alterations to the ridgeline as shown in
Viewpoints 4, 6, 7, and 8 and would result in significant and unavoidable impacts to the
aesthetic/visual character of the project site. Because the Modified 2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area
Plan Alternative would avoid the development on the ridgelines as shown on Exhibit 6-1, Modified
2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan Alternative, these impacts would be eliminated. The Modified
2012 Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan Alternative would avoid the significant and unavoidable
impacts identified for the proposed Project related to development along secondary and primary
ridgelines, and it would result in less than significant impacts related to alterations to existing
viewsheds due to the proposed development up to the ridgelines, which would be visible along

1 This unit count and associated impact analysis assumes all conventional units; however, a mix of age-
restricted senior units could also be developed under this alternative.

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