AUTO SWAP MEET UNCERTAIN AS ORGANIZER SEEKS NEW SITE.

Byline: Laurence Darmiento Daily News Staff Writer

Three months ago, entrepreneur Tyler Shaw was prepared to sign a lease with the city for a weekend auto swap meet he had proposed for the Via Princessa rail station - but the City Council wasn't.

At the urging of Councilwoman Jan Heidt, Shaw was asked to conduct neighborhood meetings to gauge the public's support. Two meetings later, public works officials once again are recommending council members support the plan.

Now, the problem is that Shaw's not ready.

Although the council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on the proposed Santa Clarita Auto Swap Meet, in the intervening period Shaw said he has entered into negotiations for a more centrally located, privately owned site in the city.

"I made the city an attractive offer and was fully ready through with it, but I have checked into other places. I am going to need more time," said Shaw, who is a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy.

Under Shaw's proposal, sellers of used automobiles, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and boats would rent a weekend space in the lot, where prospective buyers could walk through and browse.

The swap meet not only would provide a central location for buyers and sellers but eliminate the potential danger of meeting strangers through classified ads.

Public works officials liked the idea because it would provide the city some additional revenue from the $1,000 monthly lease payment. Shaw also was offering to landscape the lot, located in an industrial zone.

In addition, city officials thought it could help cut down on used car sales on public streets and private lots, but Heidt objected, saying the rail station's parking lot was too close to residences.

Meetings were held Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 at Sierra Vista and La Mesa junior high schools. Five people from the Vista del Canon condominium complex showed up at the first meeting and opposed the plan. Nobody attended the second meeting.

That prompted public works officials to renew their support and resubmit the proposal to the council for Tuesday. But Heidt, who lives in nearby Sand Canyon, said Friday that she was still not convinced.

"That doesn't sound like an awful lot of public input. I don't think it's a good idea. It's basically in a residential area. I think it would be better in a more commercial location, somewhere where you have car dealerships."

Heidt also questioned any new site Shaw may have in mind, saying that unless it is properly zoned for such a business, she would call again for public hearings.

Shaw refused Friday to disclose where his prospective new site is located, since the deal has not been worked out.

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Photo (color) Jan Heidt Opposed earlier proposal