CANYON'S AGGREGATE IN DISPUTE CONCRETE COMPANY FIGHTS DENIAL OF MINING PROPOSAL.

Byline: Angela M. Lemire Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Transit Mixed Concrete has appealed Los Angeles County planners' denial of its massive mining proposal for Soledad Canyon, claiming the decision was ``either made in error or an abuse of discretion.''

The Azusa-based company's appeal, filed Monday with the county Board of Supervisors, was expected by supporters and opponents alike.

TMC officials have pledged for months to request that the county Board of Supervisors overturn the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission's denial of the project.

The Planning Commission voted Dec. 1, 1999, and again Feb. 16, to deny TMC's proposal to blast 56.1 million tons of sand and gravel from Soledad Canyon over a 20-year period, because of concerns over the health and safety of nearby residents and impact to the environment.

In an attachment to the filing, which outlines the company's reasons for seeking the appeals, TMC spokesman Brian Mastin contends that the Planning Commission's decision was not based on submitted findings or evidence presented during public hearings.

TMC claims, for example, that the denial was inconsistent with the county General Plan and surface mining designation, which previously permitted mining operations on the property with conditional use permits. The federal government has identified the site for providing significant mineral resources under its national Resource Management Plan and issued the contract to mine the land, TMC also argues.

The mine is needed to provide Los Angeles County with construction materials as other area reserves approach total depletion in 16 years, Mastin said, noting that 34 million tons of aggregate are consumed in the county annually.

The city of Santa Clarita, local schools and environmental groups have vowed to contest the appeal by heavily lobbying the Board of Supervisors. The city so far has committed $120,000 to the upcoming fight.