Baker Canyon Ruled Out for Off-Road Park : Development: Supervisors’ decision is a victory for Santa Clarita residents who oppose motocross site. But a smaller facility in Hume Canyon is still being considered.

Opponents of a proposed off-road vehicle park in Baker and Hume canyons have scored a partial victory to keep the facility out of their back yard, but there are several more laps to go before the issue is resolved.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last week agreed with a Parks Department report that called Baker Canyon unsuitable for the motocross track, and decided to form an advisory committee to determine what type of facility off-roaders want and where it should be.

Hume Canyon still is a possible choice for the park, though it would be a much smaller version.

Originally proposed for the 537-acre property spanning the two canyons were two or more motocross tracks, a flat track, caretaker’s facilities, a bicycle motocross facility, storage space, wash racks for vehicles, a pro shop, training areas and trails.

Residents say the smaller park--covering 40 to 50 acres--still presents problems of noise, traffic and pollution, upsetting their quiet, equestrian community.

“You (should) fit a facility to what its climate is,” said John Kachelek, who lives in Baker Canyon and is opposed to having the park built anywhere in the canyons.

Los Angeles County is reviewing 57 locations for the park. Supporters say owners of the nearly 70,000 registered off-road vehicles in the county need places to ride that are closer to urban areas.

Residents of the two canyons northeast of Santa Clarita say they are not against off-road racing, but note that the Rowher Flats facility in Canyon Country--covering about 10,000 acres and with about 40 miles of riding trails--can be used by riders and is less than two miles away.

The county Parks Department also recommended expanding the 19,000-acre Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area in Gorman as an alternative to Hume and Baker canyons.

“The Hume-Baker proposal faces considerable hurdles, including local opposition, considerable acquisition costs and potential legal challenges,” said Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

“Hungry Valley is relatively free of these types of obstacles, and is therefore the best alternative.”

But rather than endorse expanding the Gorman site, the board now will look to the recommendations of its newly appointed committee.

The advisory group is to represent several different interests, including off-roaders, residents and environmentalists. It is scheduled to report back to the board by March 1.