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Palmdale council approves Ritter Ranch Phase 1B: 75 acres, 135 detached homes now; up to 627 units over plan
Summary
The council approved Phase 1B of the Ritter Ranch specific plan, allowing development of 75 acres with infrastructure, parks and up to 627 units under the specific plan; the immediate action authorizes about 135 single-family detached homes with the remainder to return later.
The Palmdale City Council voted to approve Phase 1B of the Ritter Ranch specific plan, clearing entitlements for development of roughly 75 acres and infrastructure to support the Ritter Ranch neighborhood.
Megan Taggart, interim director of economic and community development, told the council the Phase 1B approval includes two tentative maps, a planned development document and a conditional use permit to allow cohesive development across the site. Although the specific plan allows up to 627 dwelling units on the parcel, Taggart said only 135 single-family detached units are proposed for this phase; the remaining approximately 492 units—planned as condominiums and townhomes—will come forward later. Staff prepared an addendum to the previously certified environmental impact report (EIR) and concluded that Phase 1B presents no new or more significant impacts than those analyzed in the original EIR.
Applicants and representatives for RDR Development, including Peter Gutierrez and Ramiro Alberon, described Phase 1B as complementary to previously approved Phase 1A and said the proposal adds about 12 acres of parks and trails to the community. Gutierrez described the project as part of the region’s housing response and said the detailed water-supply analysis relied on Water Works District 40’s urban water management plan; he said the addendum demonstrates adequate water supply for Phase 1B. "The detailed report looks at water supply, water infrastructure...and there's ample evidence in the addendum and in the water supply report to demonstrate that there is adequate water supply to serve the project," Gutierrez said.
Council discussion focused on lot sizes, public safety and fire protection. An applicant representative told councilmembers the proposed detached lots average about 5,000 square feet, and staff confirmed homes will include modern fire mitigation measures, including fire sprinkler systems and fire-resistant construction materials. Councilmembers and the applicant also discussed the need for a fire pumper truck and water infrastructure improvements; staff and the applicant said a pumper truck and fire mitigation fees are required by the fire department and that new water infrastructure, including a water tank, will be part of the improvements.
A motion to approve the Phase 1B entitlements passed after council discussion and public comment. The council directed staff and the applicant to continue coordination with the fire department and sheriff’s office on evacuation and emergency response planning, and to ensure required water and fire mitigation measures are implemented before issuance of certificates of occupancy.
The approval includes an addendum to the Ritter Ranch EIR, approval of planned development documents and tentative tract maps (VTTM 51508-03 and related map numbers listed in staff materials), and conditions of approval that incorporate edits made after Planning Commission recommendations. Staff recommended and the council approved the conditions included in the packet, with final conditions to be reflected in the administrative record.
