"Stonecrest Annexation Election": Yes or No

QUESTION: Shouldn’t Stonecrest have a vote, or an election about annexation?

Yes. There should be a vote.

QUESTION: How can I cast a vote about annexing or not?

Right now, the process is very simple. If you wish Stonecrest to join the City, just do nothing. Don’t sign anything. The annexation of Stonecrest will then be ratified by LAFCO.

If you are opposed to the annexation, then sign a “protest” form. If 50% plus one voter of the voters in Stonecrest sign these protests, then the annexation will be killed, dead in its tracks.

QUESTION: I have been told that signing something gives me a right to vote. Is this accurate?

No, not at all. Signing the protest form that you may have been asked to sign IS your vote. Signing these “protest” forms says flat out that your wish is to oppose annexation into the City of Santa Clarita.

If 50% plus one voter of the voters in Stonecrest had signed these forms, the annexation would have been killed.

Again, a special election is forced if the protesters number more than 15% but less than 50% of the voters.

QUESTION: I am concerned about whether Stonecrest is fully informed about this issue. What is the history of educational meetings, forums, and the provision of information about this issue to Stonecrest residents?

Starting in the year 2000, multiple meetings, initiated by Stonecrest residents were held all throughout the community. This was initially caused by city opposition to the mega sand and gravel mine (CEMEX), compared with county support for the mine.

As a result of intense research, however, Stonecrest residents found many additional reasons to justify joining the City. Over 85% of the older phases of Stonecrest signed petitions in favor of annexation thereby launching the annexation application to LAFCO.

The City of Santa Clarita has held numerous public meetings close by Stonecrest, usually at Pine Tree Elementary School where complete discussions of all pertinent issues occurred. Every resident in Stonecrest was sent a written invitation to attend each of these numerous public meetings held close by.

Multiple written communiqués have been sent by the City of Santa Clarita to every Stonecrest resident about multiple aspects of annexation. Stonecrest residents in favor of annexation have held countless meetings in Stonecrest households and at nearby parks. Several formal public hearings about the annexation, all legally noticed to the public have been held before the Santa Clarita City Council. All of these meetings were broadcast on live television not only to Stonecrest residents but also to the entire Santa Clarita Valley.

Other fully noticed, public hearings have been held before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and before the Board of Directors of the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).

Santa Clarita City Councilmembers, and Santa Clarita City Staff Members have canvassed Stonecrest door-to-door to answer any and all questions anyone might have.

In addition to all of the above, there is the information you are reading now which has been compiled by the Coalition of Stonecrest residents, your friends and neighbors who strongly favor annexation.

Stonecrest is the most thoroughly examined and studied annexation in city history.


QUESTION: If I am undecided about annexation, what is wrong with signing the protest form?

Anyone told that signing the protest form was merely a way of calling for an election was completely misinformed. The intent of signing the protest form is to kill the annexation, not cause an election.

If you are undecided about annexation, contact all of your friends and neighbors who are in favor of annexation and discuss this with them. Don’t be fooled into voting “no” when all you want is more information about the issue.

QUESTION: Is there anything unusual about the Stonecrest annexation, compared with the 28 others that have been approved so far?

Yes. As an example, the Stonecrest annexation was before LAFCO recently with two other annexations. One of these other two was a neighborhood of about 150 residents located quite close to Stonecrest at the top of Shadow Pines Boulevard. This neighborhood went through the entire LAFCO process described elsewhere. It was approved by LAFCO without a single protest letter or signature. That neighborhood is now out from under County rule and is safe within the boundaries of Santa Clarita.

Also, on this same, recent LAFCO hearing was the annexation for about 6,000 residents in the northern Valencia area. This area also had the same kind of extensive public review described elsewhere herein. That annexation was also approved without one single protest letter or petition signature submitted in opposition. This large neighborhood is now in the City of Santa Clarita.

Again, 27 of the 28 annexations were all approved without being forced to hold special election.

The important thing for us in Stonecrest is that we are able to exercise choice. We certainly have that opportunity now.

< Back to Community Concerns & FAQs