North L.A. cities get richer as development and property values increase

The Daily News reported on the increase in development in Santa Clarita, Lancaster, and Palmdale filling the tax coffers.

The Assessor's office reported that these 3 cities saw the biggest increases in total property value. Lancaster was first with a 21% increase, Palmdale 3rd with a 16% increase, and Santa Clarita was 4th with a 14% increase. Santa Clarita's total assessed value was $21.5 billion and is reported to be the 4th largest in assessed valuation, AHEAD OF Glendale, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Beverly Hills.

Some of the growth is due to annexation. More than 3,000 properties were annexed in Santa Clarita last year, and the city is moving forward for the first time in annexing parts of Castaic. More than $1 billion in assessed value was attained through annexation.

Palmdale's growth is largely due to commercial development around the Antelope Valley Mall.