Planners OK Industrial Park, 510 Apartments

The Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission approved two major projects Thursday in the Santa Clarita Valley--an industrial park and a 510-unit apartment complex.

Neither project faced major community opposition, although some commissioners had previously questioned their scope and effect on the environment.

The 42-lot industrial park proposed by the Valencia Co. will be built on 212 acres north of Newhall Ranch Road. The development includes space for commercial buildings and land for a high school.

The project was approved 4 to 1, with Commissioner Richard Wulliger dissenting.

During a December hearing, several commissioners questioned the need to remove 55 oaks and undertake heavy grading at the site. The city of Santa Clarita shared those concerns, but a representative testified Thursday that the city does not object to the overall development because of the need for jobs, retail business and road improvements in the city.

The apartment complex, which will be built on nearly 35 acres south of Pico Canyon Road and west of The Old Road in Newhall, was approved by the commission and the Board of Supervisors in 1989. Since then, the property has changed hands twice, the land has been graded and roads have been laid, said Karl P. Hinderer, a civil engineer working for the developer.

During that time, the project has also been altered in two ways that caused the planning staff to bring it back to the commission for review. The changes involved the design of parking spaces and the apartment units.

The commission unanimously agreed with the developer that these changes were not significant enough to merit a second public hearing. Hinderer said construction is expected to begin later this year.