Commission approves 150‑lot subdivision on East Side; developers, neighbors discuss buffers and environment

The Lancaster Planning Commission unanimously approved Tentative Tract Map 22007 (Map No. 532560) to subdivide about 40.3 gross acres at the northwest corner of 30th Street East and Avenue K into 150 single-family lots in an R-7,000 zone. The commission adopted Resolution 2511 and a Mitigated Negative Declaration.

Staff described the map and site, noting the property is zoned R-7,000 and that the lots proposed range from about 7,000 square feet up to roughly 14,000 square feet for some corner parcels. "It's a 150 residential lot subdivision on 40 gross acres," staff said, adding that an initial study was completed and that staff received two comment letters during the public-notice period that did not require changes to the initial study.

Several nearby residents spoke. Arden Hughes, a longtime East Side resident and past homeowners association vice president, urged the commission to preserve a buffer that would visually and physically separate the new tract from the Rancho Tierra Del Sol neighborhood, describing the unique character of that area and asking commissioners to visit the site. Paul Ward asked whether accessory dwelling units were being considered; staff replied that ADUs are allowed by right on private properties and noted lot sizes along the eastern boundary fall in the 7,000–8,000 square-foot range.

Commissioners raised environmental and construction questions. One commissioner recounted previous environmental work on the East Side High School project, saying crews had found above-ground and underground "translate pipe" containing asbestos and that protected wildlife such as bats had been observed in drainage areas. Staff and the applicant said required mitigations and conditions of approval would address such constraints in accordance with the project’s environmental review.

Developer Yigal Hassid, who said his company has built in Lancaster and Palmdale for more than 30 years, told the commission he and his team intend to follow required protocols and mitigation measures. After questions and public comment, the commission moved and seconded adoption of Resolution 2511 approving the tentative tract map, the Mitigated Negative Declaration and mitigation-monitoring program and authorizing staff to file the notice of determination. The motion passed 5-0 with two members absent.

The approval allows the developer to proceed to final engineering and subdivision map steps required before building permits may be issued; staff noted conditions and required mitigations will be enforced during those subsequent stages.