Supervisors OK Agreement to Raise Builders’ Fees for Schools

Builders in the Santa Clarita Valley would pay school fees far higher than those required by state law if a tentative agreement approved Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is accepted by five area school districts and the Santa Clarita City Council.

The agreement calls for assessing a charge of $2.50 a square foot--about $4,200 per dwelling--for any projects that require changes in zoning or in the county general plan for the area. The state requires a $1.58-per-square-foot fee.

The more than $50 million in estimated proceeds would be divided among the five school districts that would provide additional classroom space for the children from the developments. School officials estimate it will pay for about half the cost of new school construction in the area during the next 20 years.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich said the fees, negotiated among school districts, builders and government representatives, reflect a “model agreement.” He expressed optimism that lingering disputes among the various parties could be resolved.

The Santa Clarita City Council is scheduled to vote on the agreement next Tuesday, said City Manager George Caravalho. The city already assesses a higher fee, about $6,000 per dwelling, but builders in unincorporated county areas pay only about $2,500.

One remaining obstacle to the agreement is a financial argument between the Castaic Union School District and the Larwin Co. of Encino. Larwin has sought an exemption from the fee for units already approved by the county. School officials said that could cost them more than $1 million in lost fees.

Neither the district nor the Larwin Co. could be reached for comment Tuesday.

Times staff writer Tracey Kaplan also contributed to this story.