Broadcaster Told to Halve Size of Building : County OKs Santa Clarita Radio Station

A Canyon Country man Tuesday was granted a permit to operate the Santa Clarita Valley’s first radio station provided that, to appease nearby residents, he reduce by half the size of his proposed building.

Hearing Officer Kathy Ikari of the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission, after a lengthy public hearing, approved Larry Bloomfield’s application to transmit from the 14-acre site he is buying at 15500 Sierra Highway. Ikari said she hopes that the condition attached to the permit, which reduces the size of the planned studio building from 4,000 to 2,000 square feet, will not prevent the project from going forward.

Bloomfield, a former broadcast engineer, said the size limitation does not change his plans to begin broadcasting, from 1220 on the AM dial, sometime next year. Expected Federal Communications Commission approval is pending.

“We will have to consult with our architect to see what effect this will have,” he said.

The building was to have served as both offices and studio for the station. Now, Bloomfield said, offices may have to be put elsewhere. A satellite-dish antenna and three 183-foot towers also will be erected on the site in the rural Mint Canyon area of Canyon Country.

Residents who own small ranches in the area maintained that the station and its towers would be an eyesore and decrease their property values.

“This monster does not fit in this rural area,” said Patricia Forg, spokeswoman for the residents. “It is way too big.” The few commercial establishments along Sierra Highway and the nearby homes average about 2,000 square feet, she said.

“The radio station will stick out like a sore thumb,” said ranch owner Arthur Miller, who characterized the community as one of small, one-acre ranches with “rather expensive homes” on them. He presented Ikari with a petition containing 67 signatures of residents who oppose the project.

Residents also expressed concern that the building, which is in a flood-control basin, will alter the water flow in the event of a flood, endangering their homes. County planner Richard Frazier has said it will not.

Speaking in favor of the station, Bam Price, a psychologist, called it a “cultural necessity” for the fast-growing area. He said Mint Canyon homeowners are trying “to postpone tomorrow” in their opposition.

And Canyon Country resident Wilhelmine Schaefer presented petitions containing signatures of almost 400 residents favoring the station. She said it will keep area residents informed about their community.

It was unclear whether the size reduction mollified project opponents. Residents who still oppose the project can appeal Ikari’s decision to the Board of Supervisors, a planning department spokesman said.