CITY MAY ANNEX MINE AREA SANTA CLARITA SEEKS JURISDICTION ON CEMEX LAND.

Byline: Judy O'Rourke and Eugene Tong Staff Writers

The city of Santa Clarita is taking steps to annex the Soledad Canyon land where Mexico-based Cemex intends to mine 56.1 million tons of sand and gravel, a project Santa Clarita has been battling for years.

The city wants to annex 1,885 acres, including 1,000 acres it owns. But the federal Bureau of Land Management owns the mineral rights and has agreed to a deal that would allow Cemex to mine for 20 years.

``The property extends far to the north,'' city planner Kai Luoma said. ``The northern areas can remain open space in its natural state.''

Luoma acknowledged Wednesday that if Santa Clarita successfully annexes the property, it still would not have control over the planned mining operation.

``The city would gain jurisdiction over the Cemex mine, but there's little the city could do,'' he said. ``As long as the mine has a lawfully approved entitlement, and the entitlement is approved correctly, then the city can't stop them, whether the city wants to or not.''

The city will open a monthlong public-comment process today on the proposal, according to a document obtained Wednesday by the Daily News. A hearing before the city Planning Commission is scheduled for Oct. 4 and the matter would go to the City Council on Oct. 25.

In a technical move, the city has proposed an amendment to its General Plan to pre-zone the acreage, legally required when cities annex land. The city is seeking zoning designations that would allow for development including suburban residential, very low density residential and open space - or parkland.

Santa Clarita officials have not talked with the Local Agency Formation Commission, which oversees municipal boundary changes in Los Angeles County. They have, however, had informal discussion with county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich's staff and believe they would have his support. The Cemex property lies within Antonovich's sprawling 5th District. A formal application will be filed to LAFCO by the end of the year.

``Supervisor Antonovich's office has historically supported annexations where property owners desire to annex,'' Luoma said.

That stance could be overly optimistic as the county has shied away from battling the mine after Cemex sued when the county showed resistance. The Board of Supervisors eventually approved the mine 3-2.