CHANGES NO BALM TO CRITICS NEIGHBORS STILL RESIST 212-APARTMENT PLAN.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Residents of the Bridgeport neighborhood still oppose plans for a new apartment complex and shopping center at Newhall Ranch Road and McBean Parkway, despite several changes in the development.

Plans for the 212-unit apartment building and 17,600-square-foot shopping center were revised after about 100 residents of one of Santa Clarita's newest developments complained that the complex would cause traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, a decrease in their property values and an upsurge in crime.

``They really missed the target,'' said Michael Irvine, a leader of the effort against The Newhall Land and Farming Co.'s project. ``We don't want our neighborhood to turn into a race track and a parking lot.''

The changes include additional parking for the complex and lockable storage units for each apartment, although the changes still fail to meet the city's code and would require exemptions.

Newhall Land officials say there is a demand for apartments in Santa Clarita, and the new development will not harm the quality of life in Bridgeport.

``We're confident that these changes go a long way in resolving the neighbors' concerns about the complex,'' said Marlee Lauffer, a spokeswoman for Newhall Land.

The Santa Clarita Planning Commission requested last month that the project be changed and additional studies of the complex's potential impact on traffic, crime and property values be performed.

Those reports found that the complex will not add to congestion in the area, increase crime or decrease property values, according to the Planning Department.

The commission will consider the project again at 7 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall's Council Chambers.

The complex, named Harbor Woods - in keeping with the nautical theme of Bridgeport - is expected to be similar to the apartments along Magic Mountain Parkway and those under construction along Town Center Drive.

The city's planning staff has recommended that the commission approve the plans for the complex.

Several community meetings held over the last month in an attempt to resolve the dispute were unsuccessful, with residents demanding several changes that Newhall Land and city officials said were not feasible.

Those demands included a reduction in the number of apartments, the elimination of both code exemptions, traffic calming devices on the streets surrounding the complex and the construction of gates around the Back Bay community.

It would be illegal to block a public road to all motorists, and probably infeasible to turn Channel, Baywood and Victoria lanes into private roads and build safe gates, the Planning Department's report said.

However, both sides have agreed to restrict parking on Baywood Lane and construct a wrought-iron fence in front of the complex.