1,085-HOME PLAN GETS PLANNERS' OK.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES - The county Regional Planning Commission approved plans Wednesday for the second phase of the Fair Oaks Ranch project just east of Santa Clarita.

The commissioners unanimously approved plans for the 1,085-home subdivision east of the Antelope Valley Freeway near Golden Valley Road and Via Princessa, after developer Pardee Homes Construction Co. agreed to resubmit plans for a proposed apartment complex.

``This is the first project to be considered under the One Valley/One Vision framework, and I think we've shown that the process works even though this was not an easy project,'' said Chairman George Pederson, who plans to retire from the commission at the end of the month.

The commission's approval will allow construction to continue on the new Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary School, which is scheduled to open in July, said Kent Frison, assistant superintendent with the Sulphur Springs School District.

In October, the Department of Regional Planning discovered that Pardee Homes could not build a 155-unit apartment complex on land where the developer planned to build an office complex without amending the specific plan for the project and applying for a conditional use permit.

Pardee Homes representatives plan to submit applications for those permits by the end of the month, said planner Ellen Fitzgerald.

The commissioners included in their action a condition of approval requiring Pardee Homes to fulfill a list of promises made to the city of Santa Clarita earlier this year that would apply the city's more-stringent city standards to the project rather than the looser county requirements.

``We're satisfied that all of our concerns have been addressed,'' said Santa Clarita Planning Manager Vince Bertoni.

The City Council neither endorsed nor opposed the project, despite concern about the density and quality of the development.

After the vote, the commission honored Santa Clarita resident and former mayor Pederson, who served on the commission for three years after being appointed by 5th District Supervisor Michael Antonovich.

``He leaves some very large shoes to fill,'' said Commissioner Wayne Rew.

Commissioner Esther Valadez will take over as chairwoman in January.

Pederson said he plans to play golf and continue to raise money for several charities, including the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club and the American Cancer Society.

``I'll be able to do the things I want and serve the community when I can,'' Pederson said.

Pederson has been an advocate for the city of Santa Clarita during his tenure on the commission, Bertoni said.

``It is sad for all of us in the Santa Clarita Valley because he has been such a strong advocate for good planning,'' Bertoni said.

Antonovich has not yet named a replacement, the supervisor's spokesman said.