Newhall Ranch Development Could Face New Hurdle

The relatively smooth path toward approval of the massive Newhall Ranch housing project, which would be built just across the Ventura County line, turned rocky Wednesday after a Los Angeles County planning commissioner said she might not support the plan if it stays close to the Santa Clara River.

Regional Planning Commissioner Cheryl Vargo’s request could be a significant hurdle for the Newhall Land & Farming Co. because its proposed development, with a projected population of 70,000, has used its location along the river as one of its primary selling points. The river runs through both counties.

Environmentalists maintain that the development along one of the last wild rivers in Southern California would lead to pollution, flooding downstream and the possible extinction of two endangered species that live in the river’s ecosystem.

Still, Vargo’s announcement--which came near the end of a Planning Commission meeting Wednesday--shocked fellow commissioners as well as supporters and opponents of the housing project in the Santa Clarita Valley near Magic Mountain.

“Everybody’s mouth kind of went,” said Newhall Land spokeswoman Marlee Lauffer, opening her mouth wide.

Vargo said she wanted Newhall Land to remove 1,938 planned housing units on 324 acres between the Santa Clara River and California 126 so that the river can be seen from the highway and the river valley can maintain its rural feel.

The number of units make up about 8% of the 25,000 houses, apartments and condominiums planned for Newhall Ranch.

“To me, the river is very important,” Vargo said at the meeting. “If the river is as important as everybody says it is, this shouldn’t be hard.”

A planned water reclamation facility and a business park would be allowed to remain between the river and the highway.

Vargo’s proposal was hailed by Ventura County officials, who have argued that the project would create heavy traffic and flooding problems for the county. They said any scaling back of the project would be welcome.

“This is really good news,” Supervisor John K. Flynn said. “It’s a big step in the right direction. It shows that there is some thinking going on over there at the commission.”

Representatives from both Newhall Land and the Los Angeles County Planning Department said the company might have to redesign much of the project if a majority of the five commissioners support Vargo when a vote is held in June.

“This would require major studies of geology, flood control, river crossings,” said Lee Stark, the county planner in charge of the Newhall Ranch project.

Lauffer said removing about 2,000 homes in the planned Riverwood Village would disrupt the concept of Newhall Ranch--which is based upon five densely populated villages situated near the river, with shops and recreation within walking distance of homes.

“When you plan all the infrastructure, the roads, the bridges, you plan on having a certain number of units,” Lauffer said. “So this affects our village concept. We’re going to have to work with the Planning Commission and planning staff on it.”

In the meantime, opponents were hopeful that any significant changes in the plan would lead not only to further protection of the Santa Clara River, but would also delay the housing project for several more months.

“I really hope this throws a monkey wrench in things,” said Clarence Freeman, an engineer who lives in Fillmore.

Most observers had expected the commission to try to impose only minor changes on the planned development. And most did not expect Vargo--who has been a commission member for less than four months--to rock the boat.

“We thought she was going to be one of the least active,” one environmentalist said.

Vargo was appointed to the commission in January after newly elected county Supervisor Don Knabe selected the previous 4th District planning commissioner as his chief deputy.

Vargo’s dramatic move came on an otherwise unsuccessful day for opponents of the ranch project.

Newhall Ranch President James Harter said the company was probably within 30 days of reaching financial agreements with two area school districts that would be responsible for educating most of the mini-city’s children.

Also, most of the concerns stressed by the public during five previous public hearings--including the threat of earthquakes, the availability of drinking water, and the traffic and pollution problems caused by urban sprawl--were discussed only briefly or not at all by the commission.

“I’m really disappointed,” said Barbara Wampole, an environmental activist from Saugus. “I thought they were going to come in with a list of concerns, and call people up and have them answer questions. But they never addressed the real issues.”

The commission voted to study Vargo’s proposal and debate the issue at its next hearing on Newhall Ranch on June 11. The project is expected to come before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors later this year.

Times staff writer Carlos V. Lozano contributed to this story.