nlf landmark briefing book

8/14/2019 NLF Landmark Briefing Book

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LANDMARK VILLAGERecirculated Draft EIR

BRIEFING BOOK


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INTRODUCTION TO LANDMARK VILLAGE EIR

With the Santa Clara River as its focal point, Landmark Village is Newhall Ranchs first planned

village. Its design is traditional and its feel is small town, with a village quad, quiet streets,

homes with front porches and neighborhood shops.

LOCATION

Landmark is located between the Santa Clara River and State Route 126 in unincorporated Los

Angeles County, about two miles west of the I-5/SR-126 interchange.

Approx 300 acres 1,400 new single-family and attached homes Mixed-use and commercial: 37 acres

HOMES

300 single-family homes 1,100 condominiums, townhomes and apartment homes Minimum 10% affordable housing Varied architecture and diverse colors, textures and detailing Small town atmosphere created by front porches, community park and corner shops

RETAIL AND COMMERCIAL

Village Quad: dining, shops, offices and homes linked by plazas and walkways Village Center: offices, specialty stores and other commercial uses such as a grocery store

SCHOOL AND PARK

Centrally located school and park are integrated together within the community Multi-purpose fields will be included in the park Elementary school offering enough capacity for twice the number of children who are

expected to live in Landmark School and park accessible on foot from the majority of Landmark residences

SANTA CLARA RIVER

Two miles added to the Santa Clara River regional trail designed to connect residents andvisitors to the river, while separating them from sensitive habitat areas

Careful preservation of native species and habitat of the river ecosystem Environmentally sensitive bank stabilization to protect from floods and preserve the natural

beauty and habitats of the river


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Sustainable Community Plan

Newhall Ranch preserves high-qualityhabitat

Its ideal location near existing jobs andinfrastructure is consistent with sustainablecommunity design principles

A broad range of homes for every stage oflife Amix of land uses including commercial,

office, residential and public facilities

Approx . 20,000 new jobs to allowresidents to work close to home

Recycled waterto meet over 50 percentof all water needs

Drought-tolerant landscaping andevapotranspiration controllers (smartsprinklers) to substantially reduce irrigationneeds

Car trips minimized by convenient masstransit and by placing homes near jobs andneighborhood retail centers

NEWHALL RANCH - OVERVIEW

Newhall Ranch will be a sustainable new town and will use and promote the latest in

sustainability, low impact development, green building, energy and water conservation,

renewable energy sources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, to the extenteconomically feasible. It will include a mix of residential, retail and commercial uses as well as

preserving and protecting significant areas of natural open space.

PRESERVED OPEN SPACE

Nearly 13 square miles of preserved openspace.

Preserved natural open spaces create wildlifecorridors extending from the Santa SusannaMountains to the Santa Clara River. Wildlifecan travel between these important ecological

areas within Newhall Ranch and to adjacentnatural open space areas.

Preservation of the Santa Clara River in itsnatural state ensures its continued use as awildlife corridor and function as a regional watersupply for the region.

The vast majority of oak trees on-site will bepreserved. New seedlings planted from oaks atNewhall Ranch, preserving the genealogy ofthe local oaks.

Approximately 167 acres of preserve areestablished to protect the rare Spineflower

plant. Long-term funding to manage the natural open

space areas would be provided by anendowment and monies administered by theNewhall Ranch High Country Recreation and Conservation Authority and the Center forNatural Lands Management.

RECREATION

50 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trials:o Five-mile extension to the Santa Clara River Regional River Trailo A multipurpose trail linking Mentryville and the High Countryo Bike paths and walking trails connecting homes to parks, jobs and neighborhood retail

centers for enhanced walkability

Over ten community and neighborhood parks (200 acres) Community-wide recreation centers, in addition to numerous neighborhood recreation

centers and amenities


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CULTURAL PRESERVATION

Eight-acre Asistencia de San Francisco Xavier site, one of Santa Clarita Valleys importanthistorical sites, dedicated to The Archeological Conservancy

Land donated to the local Tataviam tribe to build an interpretive cultural center

VILLAGES

Four villages will be built within the Specific Plan

areas, including Landmark Village, Mission Village,

Homestead Village, and Potrero Village. Each

village will provide a spectrum of residential product

types, ranging from large single family dwellings to

multi-family units in high density core areas in close

proximity to commercial areas and recreational

amenities.

HOMES

Diverse range of homes for all socio-economiclevels

Approximately 2,200 (10%) of the proposed 20,885homes designated for workforce housing

State-of-the-art water and energy conservationfeatures will make new homes more water- andenergy-efficient

Green building techniques call for sustainablearchitectural design, energy-efficient appliancesand allow for renewable energy sources

EMPLOYMENT

More than 60,000 people currently work incommercial centers in Valencia created by NewhallLand, the largest concentration of new jobs in L.A.County

40,000 additional jobs will be created in Valenciaby build-out

Another 19,000 jobs will be provided by NewhallRanchs commercial, office and light industrialareas

In total, 120,000 close-to-home employmentopportunities will be provided by Newhall Landscommercial developments when completed.

Local employment base creates the opportunity forresidents to live closer to their jobs, reduce vehiclemiles traveled, improve regional air quality and vitalize the economy

Newhall Ranch by the Numbers*

19

Approx. 20

total square miles

years for build-out

60,000 projected residents

20,885 new homes (includes

workforce housing)

20,000 jobs created

~8,400 acres of open space,**

over 60% of property

5 Spineflower preserves

200 acres of community

recreation centers and

public parks

50 miles of trails

7 public schools

(planned)

3 fire stations

1 public library

1 water reclamation plant

1 sheriff station

* As proposed; subject to change

**includes 1,500 acres on the

western edge of Newhall Ranch in

Ventura County


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SCHOOLS

Working with local school districts, Newhall Land has been able to plan for the projected needs

for up to 7 new schools as part of Newhall Ranch including up to five elementary schools, one

junior high school and one high school.

School Districts:

Elementary schools Newhall School District, Saugus Union Elementary School Districtand Castaic School District

J unior high and high school - William S. Hart Union High School District

TRANSPORTATION

Car trips minimized by convenient mass transit and by placing homes near jobs andneighborhood retail centers.

Newhall Ranch will result in approximately 30 miles of new roadways to reduce traffic

congestion and improve mobility. Significant improvements to I-5 and SR-126 Reservation of five miles of right of way for future Metrolink extension Connections to Santa Clarita Transit System provided.

COMMUNITY-SERVINGAMENITIESAND INFRASTRUCTURE

Site and funding for three fire stations (equipment and crews1) Site and funding provided for public library Site provided for sheriffs station

Wastewater Reclamation Plant (6.8 million gal/day)

1

Fundingtocountyrequiredlevels


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LANDMARK OVERVIEW

With the Santa Clara River as its focal point, Landmark is anticipated to be Newhall Ranchs first

village. Its design is traditional and its feel is small town, with a town square, quiet streets,

homes with front porches and neighborhood shops.

LOCATION

Landmark is located between the Santa Clara River and State Route 126 in unincorporated Los

Angeles County, about two miles west of the I-5/SR-126 interchange.

Approx 300 acres 1,400 new single-family and attached homes Mixed-use and commercial: 37 acres

HOMES

300 single-family homes 1,100 condominiums, townhomes and apartment homes Minimum 10% affordable housing Varied architecture and diverse colors, textures and detailing

Small town atmosphere created by front porches, neighborhood parks and corner shops

RETAIL AND COMMERCIAL

Village Quad: dining, shops, offices and homes linked by plazas and walkways Village Center: offices, specialty stores and other commercial uses such as a grocery store

SCHOOL AND PARK

Centrally located school and park are integrated together within the community Multi-purpose fields will be included in the park Elementary school offering enough capacity for twice the number of children who are

expected to live in Landmark School and park accessible on foot from the majority of Landmark residences

SANTA CLARA RIVER

Two miles added to the Santa Clara River regional trail designed to connect residents andvisitors to the river, while separating them from sensitive habitat areas

Careful preservation of native species and habitat of the river ecosystem Environmentally sensitive bank stabilization to protect from floods and preserve the natural

beauty and habitats of the river


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CONSERVATION APPROACH

Newhall Ranch planners implemented a three-step conservation approach to preserve the

natural environment while allowing for a balanced, sustainable new community built around

nature.

1.PRESERVATION

A team of respected environmental experts identified areas of the highest environmental value

and habitat quality at Newhall Ranch. Planners then set aside those natural areas for protection

and conservation for future generations. With this significant focus on the environment, 6.5

square miles of the Newhall Ranch High Country and Salt Creek Corridor, and over 5 miles of

the Santa Clara River will be preserved in perpetuity as natural open space. Five spineflower

preserves will be established to maintain and enhance its viability within the 167 acre preserve

system.

2.MINIMIZATION

The second strategy was to

minimize the potential for impacts

that may result from the creation of

the new community. This design

avoids the disturbance of sensitive

habitat located in the river channel

and provides habitat buffers and

setbacks to minimize the effect of

urban uses on vegetation and

wildlife.

3.MITIGATION

If an impact cannot be fully prevented, then the third strategy of mitigation was employed. For

example, riparian habitats used by many special status species will be created, enhanced or

restored along the banks of the river and tributaries to fully replace habitats lost due to

construction.

LONG-TERM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The primary natural open space areas within the Spineflower Preserves, High Country, Salt

Creek Corridor, and the Santa Clara River will be conserved and managed for long-termresource enhancement purposes. This long-term management framework will be implemented

by professional natural resource managers that will be funded through endowment and monies

administered by the Newhall Ranch High Country Recreation and Conservation Authority and

the Center for Natural Lands Management.


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NATURAL OPEN SPACE PROTECTION

Newhall Ranch is designed using the strategy of preservation to protect important habitat and

open space areas, resulting in planned preservation of over 8,400 acres of natural open space

and protection of wildlife movement corridors, tributaries and wetlands.

PRESERVED NATURAL OPEN SPACE

Open space: Four connected areas of open space include:o Newhall Ranch High Country 4,205 acreso Santa Clara River Corridor- 977 acreso Salt Creek Corridor 1,517 acreso Natural open space within Newhall Ranch villages - 1,900 acres

Long-term funding: Preservation and maintenance these lands will be funded by anendowment to the Center for Natural Lands Management by Newhall Land and the NewhallRanch High Country Recreation and Conservation J oint Powers Authority.

Habitat for native wildlife: The preserved natural open space within Newhall Ranchprovides habitat for special-status wildlife species like the least Bells vireo, white-tailed kite,arroyo chub, southwestern pond turtle, Santa Ana sucker and unarmored threespinestickleback.

WILDLIFE MOVEMENT CORRIDORS

Regional connectivity: Newhall Ranchopen space will join a larger, regionalnetwork of open space that allows fordiversity and health of plant and animalpopulations, connecting the Santa Clara

River, Santa Susana Mountains and theLos Padres and Angeles National Forests.

Wildlife movement: Habitat corridorsallow for wildlife movement east and westalong the Santa Clara River and north andsouth through the Salt Creek Corridorbetween the Santa Susana Mountainsand the Los Padres and Angeles NationalForests.

TRIBUTARIES AND RIPARIAN HABITATS

Avoidance: Newhall Lands design avoids 80 percent of riparian resources across NewhallRanch, including roughly 88 percent along the Santa Clara River.

Increasing riparian habitat areas: Newhall Land will create riparian habitat at Salt Creekor Potrero Canyon resulting in more acres of riparian resources after Newhall Ranch iscomplete than before it was built.

Enhancing Salt Creek: Existing riparian habitat and wetlands within Salt Creek Canyon willbe improved by the removal of exotic species and restoration of stream banks and floodplainareas.


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Conservation

Techniques that will help Newhall

Ranch conserve water supplies

include:

Use of reclaimed water forlandscaping

Drought-tolerant and nativelandscaping

Smart sprinkler controllers

WATER SUPPLY

Landmark Village will obtain potable water primarily through the conversion of historical

agricultural groundwater used by Newhall Land to urban use. Demand for drinking water will be

drastically reduced through the use of recycled water for irrigation and water-conserving

landscaping, smart sprinkler systems and appliances.

WATER SUPPLY

Drinking water: The EIR states that potable(drinking) water demand will be met primarilywith groundwater that has historically beenused for agriculture on Newhall Ranch.

Groundwater: Newhall Ranch has historicallyused an average of 7,038 acre feet per year foragricultural purposes. This water will beconverted from agricultural use to urban use as

Newhall Ranch develops. Sufficient supply: The EIR concludes that

cumulative water supply is projected to exceedcumulative water demand for the Santa Clarita Valley.

Water Quality: Drinking water would be provided to Newhall Ranch by Valencia WaterCompany, a Public Utilities Commission regulated entity, and would meet all Department ofHealth drinking water standards.

WASTEWATER RECYCLING &CONSERVATION

Recycled water: The planned Newhall Ranch Water

Reclamation Plant (WRP) will serve Newhall Ranchwith a capacity of 6.8 million gallons per day.

Conserving water: The Newhall Ranch WRP andother recycled water sources will meet the entireirrigation water demand for Newhall Ranch, whichmeans that high-quality potable water does not needto be used for irrigation.


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WATER QUALITY

Newhall Land developed the Newhall Ranch Subregional Stormwater Mitigation Plan to

effectively manage runoff water quality for the entire build-out of the Specific Plan area. The

Plan prescribes numerous, innovative water quality treatment features to ensure that beneficial

uses of the Santa Clara River and groundwater resources are maintained or improved.Detention and water quality treatment basins and bioretention features will naturally filter runoff

before it enters the river, and runoff volumes will be limited by smart irrigation and the

incorporation of drought-tolerant plants in community landscaping. Newhall Ranch plans also

protect local water quality by keeping the majority of the site undeveloped, allowing for

continued natural infiltration of rainwater.

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT

Newhall Ranch will incorporate Low Impact Development (LID)

features. LID aims to mimic natural hydrology and processes

by using practices that infiltrate, evaporate and transpirerainwater supply. Specifically, Landmark Village will

incorporate the following features as part of our commitment to

Low Impact Development.

STORMWATER TREATMENT AND WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Natural water treatment: Located throughout thecommunity, dozens of vegetated swales, bioretentionbasins and other natural filter areas will remove sediment,nutrients, trash and other pollutants from stormwaterbefore it enters the river.

o Extended detention basins: Dry extended detentionbasins are designed with outlets that detain stormwaterrunoff for a minimum of 48 hours to allow particles andpollutants (phosphorus, trace metals, pesticides, etc.)to settle out.

o Bioretention: Shallow vegetated depressions providestorage, infiltration, and evapotranspiration, and alsoprovide for pollutant removal by filtering stormwaterthrough the vegetation and soils.

o Vegetated Swales: Vegetated swales are engineered,vegetation-lined channels that provide both water quality treatment and stormwaterconveyance. They provide pollutant removal through settling and filtration in thevegetation lining the channels and provide the opportunity for volume reduction throughinfiltration and evapotranspiration.

Reduced runoff: Landscaped areas and open space integrated into commercial areas andneighborhoods will reduce runoff and the amount of pollutants in runoff, as will the use ofsmart irrigation controllers and drought-tolerant landscaping.


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Erosion control: During construction, graded areas will be protected with sandbag barriersand silt fences to reduce and contain erosion. Sediment, dust, and waste containment anddisposal controls will protect water quality.

Site design protects water quality: Approximately 70 percent of the site will remainpervious, allowing for natural infiltration of rainwater to recharge groundwater supplies.


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Recreation and Education

A five-mile recreational river trail with

educational signage will make the natural

beauty of the river available for the public

to enjoy, while protecting sensitive habitat

areas.

PRESERVING THE SANTA CLARA RIVER

Newhall Ranch has been designed with the focus on preserving and protecting the Santa Clara

River, a significant local, natural resource. As it passes by Landmark Village, the Santa Clara

River and its riparian habitat, wildlife corridor and water quality will be protect through sensitive

design techniques and compliance with County, State and Federal regulations.

RIVER PROTECTION

Protected River Corridor: Buffers of native uplandhabitat 100 - 200 feet wide will separate the river fromthe community.

Water quality: Innovative bioretention facilities andvegetated swales will act as natural filters to removepollutants from urban runoff and allow for infiltration oftreated stormwater, ensuring water meets strictstandards for water quality.

River banks: The banks of the Santa Clara Riverwithin Newhall Ranch will remain with native vegetationthrough the use of buried bank protection structures, sovaluable native habitat will exist for the rivers manywildlife species.


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AIR QUALITY

Landmarks innovative design, which places homes near employment and shopping centers and

utilizes other smart planning techniques, is a model for how to minimize car trips and ensure

regional air quality goals are reached.

REDUCING EMISSIONS

Community design: Landmarks design places homes in close proximity to employmentcenters, shopping, recreation and local transit facilities, resulting in fewer and shorter cartrips and reduced emissions.

Paseos: Walkway paseos and bike lanes planned throughout Landmark will encouragenon-polluting forms of transportation.

Mitigation measures: All feasible mitigation measures are incorporated in the LandmarkRecirculated Draft EIR and will be implemented.

REGIONALAIR QUALITY

Meeting goals: According to the Recirculated Draft EIR, Landmark would not interfere withreaching the emission goals set in South Coast Air Quality Management Districts 2003 AirQuality Management Plan, designed to bring the region into compliance with Federal andState air quality planning requirements.

Outside sources: A 2004 study found that more than 90 percent of ozone and more than80 percent of particulate matter in the Santa Clarita Valley does not come from localdevelopment, but rather from sources outside the Valley2.

2AssessmentoftheContributionsofLocalEmissionsVersusTransporttoOzoneandParticulateMatter

(PM)AirQualityintheSantaClaritaValleyArea,2004


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Green Building

A number of design features will be relied onto reduce carbon emissions, such as:

Close proximity of homes to jobs andservices

Public transportation Paseos for walking and biking Renewable energy Open space and habitat preservation Tree planting and landscaping Low E glass High efficiency heating and air

conditioning Improved insulation and ducting Energy efficient lighting Native and drought-tolerant landscaping Comprehensive recycling

CLIMATE CHANGE

Because of the overall site design and strict energy efficiency standards adopted by Newhall

Land, the residents of Newhall Ranch will have a notably smaller carbon footprint than average

Los Angeles County and California residents. Newhall Lands approach helps accomplish the

Governors requirements to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions under AB32 through theefficient arrangement of land uses and energy efficiency in the built environment.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Surpassing standards: Residential and non-residential buildings will exceed the Title 24energy standards by at least 15 percent.

Renewable energy: Newhall Land will produceor purchase renewable energy, equivalent tosolar, for each single-family home and non-residential roof areas. Alternatively, Newhall

Land will secure carbon credits to achieve similarGHG emission reductions.

More efficient homes: With these commitments,Newhall Ranch homes will be significantly moreefficient than the average existing Californiahomes:o Use 24% less electricity;o Use 33% less natural gas; ando Emit 36% fewer greenhouse gases.

Other programs: Newhall Land is workingcollaboratively with Los Angeles County,Southern California Edison and Southern

California Gas Company to evaluate the feasibility of a smart meter program, efficientmunicipal lighting and other cutting-edge conservation programs as they develop.

REDUCED MOBILE SOURCE EMISSIONS

Fewer vehicle miles traveled and shorter trips: Because existing and proposedemployment centers and services are in close proximity to homes, often within walkingdistance, the average home-based car trip is projected to be shorter than for the rest of theSanta Clarita Valley.

BENEFITS OF LOCALLY SOURCED WATER

Because Newhall Land will rely on local groundwater and recycled water, as opposed to theState Water Project, to meet the water demands of Newhall Ranch, fewer greenhousegases will be emitted during the transport, treatment, and distribution of water.

FURTHER EMISSION REDUCTIONS

Further emission reductions will occur as federal, state and local programs come online thatare aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and as technology-based improvementsare made.


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TRANSPORTATION

Newhall Lands commitment to build regional transportation improvements, provide

mass transit opportunities, enhance the Santa Clarita Valley job base, and place homes

near jobs and neighborhood-serving retail centers will help to make Newhall Ranch a

model for how to reduce congestion and air pollution while creating healthier lifestyles.

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

Public Transportation: Newhall Land has set aside five miles of right-of-way for apotential Metrolink extension and plans other transit improvements like park-and-ridelots and bus stops.

Walkability: Fifty miles of paseos, trails and pathways will link homes and residentsto schools, jobs, parks, shops and open space by foot or bicycle.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

New Roadways: Newhall Ranch will result in approximately 30 miles of newroadways.

Cross Valley Connector: Funding provided by Newhall Land helped to completethis important regional roadway.

SR-126: Improvements funded by Newhall Land will include widening the highwayfrom I-5, westward toward the Ventura County line, including various intersectionupgrades.

Interstate 5: Newhall Land, is a leading member of the Golden State GatewayCoalition, which is seeking funding for improvements to this essential travel and

commerce route, such as the addition of HOV and truck lanes.

DESIGNED TO REDUCE EMISSIONS

Fewer VMTs: Because existing and proposed employment centers and servicesare in close proximity to homes, often within walking distance, the average home-based car trip is projected to be shorter than for the rest of the Santa Clarita Valley.


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EDUCATION

Funding agreements have been signed with the Castaic Union School District

(elementary and middle schools) and the William S. Hart Union High School District

(high schools) to ensure that the educational needs of the students at Landmark and all

of Newhall Ranch are met.

NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Land and funding: A nine-acre site at the center of Landmark and funding for theconstruction of the school will be provided by Newhall Land.

Capacity: The school will be designed for an appropriate capacity as determinedthrough an agreement with the Castaic Union School District.

FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Castaic: Newhall Land signed a legally binding agreement with the Castaic UnionSchool District in 1997 to provide funding for resources sufficient to serve theelementary and middle school students from Newhall Ranch3.

Hart: A similar funding agreement was signed with the William S. Hart Union HighSchool District in 1998 to help fund necessary improvements to accommodate highschool students from Newhall Ranch4.

NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS

The Recirculated Draft EIR finds that with school funding agreements in place, therewill be no significant impacts to area schools

3School Facilities Funding Agreement Between the Castaic Union School District and Newhall Land and Farming

Company, 19974School Facilities Funding Agreement Between the William S. Hart Union High School District and Newhall Land

and Farming Company, 1998

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