Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Santa Clarita Annexation of Copper Hill Clears Hurdle : Communities: LAFCO approves the merger. The City Council is expected to formally OK the action Dec. 14.

The party will be a year late for Copper Hill residents, but no one seems to mind.

Los Angeles’ Local Agency Formation Commission on Wednesday approved annexation of the 210-acre community in northern Saugus, the last major hurdle for residents who have been working for about 20 months to become part of Santa Clarita.

Organizers of the annexation drive wanted to become part of Santa Clarita by the city’s fifth birthday. The Santa Clarita City Council is now scheduled to give final approval for the annexation Dec. 14--one day before its sixth birthday.

“We’re very pleased,” said Marla Stark, one of the Copper Hill residents who gathered signatures to show support for annexation. “It’s a year late, but we’re just happy it’s happening.”

Stark and other volunteers obtained signatures showing 63% of 721 property owners in Copper Hill favored annexation, more than enough to demonstrate community support for the move. About 2,160 people live in Copper Hill.

Supporters said annexation into Santa Clarita will provide them with better services such as sheriff’s and fire protection, and allows them to better influence government decisions. City residents also do not pay a 5% utility tax assessed those in Los Angeles County.

LAFCO on Wednesday also approved Santa Clarita’s annexation of a 18.9-acre pocket of land south of Sierra Highway, Via Princessa and Vista Del Canon.

The residential area is surrounded by previously annexed city property. It is eventually expected to include about 360 households and 1,120 residents.