LOS ANGELES COUNTY – Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement on the Board of Supervisor’s 4-1 vote to approve the Centennial project:
“Today’s vote will move the Centennial project forward with key amendments that address fire safety by requiring peer review, by or in coordination with CAL FIRE, at all points of the implementation and the creation of 20,000 new long-term jobs along with a partnership for a job training program, all to ensure that we have a comprehensive and resilient development. This project is historic, as it includes the first project labor agreement (PLA) on a private residential development in Los Angeles County, which applies to all infrastructure facilities. This would not have been possible without the partnership between the County, Centennial and labor partners.
Over the past 14 years, the Centennial project has gone through extensive public debate and review, including five public hearings and a lengthy and comprehensive EIR process. After three hearings, the Regional Planning Commission recommended support to the Board of Supervisors.
It is a responsible, forward-thinking project that exceeds the goals of the County’s general plan for smart, sustainable growth and sorely-needed housing stock, including 18 percent of affordable housing units, which is approximately 3,500 units.
The developer has listened and responded to the community by providing a long list of public facilities, including parks, a civic center, a community resource center, sheriff station, an animal care facility and four new fire stations. Tejon Ranch has set aside 90 percent of its holdings (240,000 acres) for permanent conservation, which will ensure the protection of expansive open space for generations to come.”