MAKING A CITY: THE SANTA CLARITA STORY

January, 1985--Community leaders form group to study cityhood. October, 1985--The civic group announces plans to pursue cityhood, the fourth such effort in the area since 1962. January, 1986--Cityhood petition drive begins. Organizers need 13,000 signatures to qualify for consideration. September, 1986--Petition drive ends. LAFCO’s executive officer, Ruth Bennell, begins feasibility study of the proposed 95-square-mile city. February, 1987--Bennell concludes that the city would fail financially because it would be too large. Supporters disagree, but urge her to draw new boundaries. April, 1987--Smaller city boundaries are approved by LAFCO commissioners. May, 1987--LAFCO endorses the cityhood proposal. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will have final say on whether the cityhood proposal will be placed on the November ballot. June, 1987--County Supervisor Pete Schabarum proposes postponing the actual incorporation of the city of Santa Clarita until June 30, 1988. His proposal, along with final Board of Supervisors approval of the Santa Clarita city, is pending.