Newhall Ranch

* I am compelled to write in response to your news and editorial coverage of the proposed Newhall Ranch project at the Board of Supervisors on March 24. It’s unfortunate that Times readers have been given an entirely false impression of the developments surrounding the discussion of that project and actions taken by the board relative to it. Let the record accurately reflect that, contrary to recent Times reporting and editorializing:

* No approval, tacit or otherwise, was given to the project.

* The public hearing was not closed March 24, as erroneously reported, but will resume May 26 with additional public comment. Regional Planning Department staff will provide additional analysis and information at that time.

* The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is not playing “petty politics” over this project, and we will not approve it merely to retaliate against Ventura County’s approval of the Ahmanson Ranch project several years ago. Ventura County officials’ insensitivity at that time toward our environmental and traffic concerns does, indeed, still rankle me, and I expressed my annoyance with them at the meeting. But a fuller account of my remarks would have reflected my qualifier comment that “it’s not a reason to approve a project. . . .”

Let the record also reflect that I, for one, believe there are serious issues that need to be addressed by the Board of Supervisors relative to this project, as was thoughtfully discussed in a previous Times editorial. This is an important issue, involving an extraordinarily large development, and it deserves a thorough review by the county. It will get such a review from me.

ZEV YAROSLAVSKY

Supervisor, 3rd District