Valencia Project Faces New Compliance Test

Los Angeles County supervisors Thursday postponed a vote on a 1,830-home building project in Valencia to make sure they are adhering strictly to requirements of the county’s computerized new development monitoring system.

“It’s important that we look closely at how the DMS operates,” said Supervisor Ed Edelman. “This is the case that will test the system.”

The Valencia Co.’s Northbridge project is the first development to come before supervisors since the sophisticated computer system was approved last week by Superior Court Judge Norman L. Epstein. The agreement settled a 14-year-old civil suit brought against the county by a coalition of environmental groups, which wanted stricter controls over growth in the county’s remaining open space.

The monitoring system is designed to promote orderly growth in the fast-growing unincorporated urban areas--including the Santa Clarita, Antelope and east San Gabriel valleys and the Las Virgenes, Calabasas and Malibu areas--by determining if a proposed construction project would overburden roads, schools, fire and police services, water supplies and sewer systems.

‘Overriding Considerations’

It allows changes in the General Plan for development projects only if “overriding considerations” of social benefit make it desirable.

Tom Lee, president of Newhall Land & Farming Co., parent firm of the Valencia Co., said the Northbridge project, which will require a General Plan amendment, is “highly desirable” because of the need for reasonably priced housing in Los Angeles County. He said 25% of the 1,830 homes will be priced for people of moderate income.

An environmental impact report prepared before the DMS was in place showed that the project would have significant effects on schools, highways, the sewage system and police and fire services. However, Lee said, the development firm proposed mitigation measures that satisfied the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission.

He said the requirements of the development monitoring system were strictly adhered to when developing the mitigation measures.

Effect on Community

After data is fed into the computer, the monitoring system could recommend that the project not be approved because the proposed mitigating measures do not offset the impact on the community. For example, county planner Don Culbertson said, the computer may find that the Valencia Co.’s proposals are inadequate to handle the influx of new residents the development would bring.

Board Chairman Mike Antonovich, who represents the area, also asked that the staff review the project and ensure that it adheres to the DMS requirements.

The planning commission approved the project two months ago, despite a recommendation by the commission’s staff against the development because it does not conform to the General Plan. Culbertson said the commission approved the project based on new population projections published by the county last month that exceeded those in the General Plan.

“Why isn’t that staff report in our packet?” Edelman asked. “I want to know when our staff has recommended against a project.” He asked that the report be distributed to supervisors before the project is considered again June 18.

605-Acre Parcel

The project is planned for 605 acres of hilly land north of Newhall Ranch Road and east of McBean Parkway. Without the General Plan change and as now zoned, only 225 homes could be built on the site, Culbertson said.

Mary Antle and Robert Schaeffer, members of the Community Alliance for Responsible Expansion, the group that appealed the planning commission’s decision to the supervisors, presented the board a petition containing signatures of 600 residents opposing the project.

“These 600 people really want to see the General Plan followed,” Schaeffer told supervisors.

“We don’t feel the availability of more homes is adequate justification for changing the General Plan,” Antle said.

Alex Bowie, attorney for the William S. Hart Union High School, and Dorothy Riley of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society also spoke in opposition to the project. Riley objected to the plan because of the proposed removal of 49 of the 75 oaks on the property. One of the trees is about 20 feet in circumference, she said.

The Northbridge project is part of a larger, 10,000-home North River development planned by the Valencia Co.

“I’m concerned about the overall plan,” Edelman said. “I think we should look at that, too.”