Supervisors OK Business Park Near Castaic

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Thursday approved a development agreement that will allow a large business park to be built along a two-mile stretch of the Golden State Freeway near Castaic.

The agreement confirms that the county will lease 297 acres of land near the Pitchess jail to developer Castaic Associates for 90 years. It also assures the developer that county approval to construct the Golden State Business Park will remain valid for 20 years.

There was no public opposition Thursday to the agreement, which has been under discussion since the late 1980s. Before it was approved unanimously, Supervisor Mike Antonovich--who represents the Castaic area--said it was “in the best interest of the county and the community to move forward.”

Antonovich particularly cited the jobs the business park will provide, which county planners hope will reduce commuter traffic from the Santa Clarita Valley into the Los Angeles Basin, and the $35 million in infrastructure improvements the developer will provide, ranging from widened roads to new sewers.

Currently, the land east of the freeway is farmed by inmates from the Peter J. Pitchess Honor Rancho. The land’s zoning was changed in 1990 to manufacturing to allow the proposed development. Under plans previously approved by the board, the business park will lie between Backer and Tapia Canyon roads. It will include about 40 buildings housing light industries and warehouses, 52 parking lots and a few stores and restaurants.

To develop the land, the meandering Castaic Creek must be contained in a concrete-lined channel and the freeway interchange at Backer Road must be improved, with the work to be paid for by Castaic Associates. The agreement calls for the developer to set aside 45 acres of open space and establish a path or equestrian trail along the creek.

The lease agreement with the county requires the developer to pay $150,000 a year until the project is completed and 14% of gross profits from the site thereafter, said Bill Kreger, assistant county administrative officer. Kreger said the county will earn at least $40 million in the first 20 years after the business park opens.

However, Kreger said that because of the recession, it may be two years before construction begins.