COUNCIL MAY VOTE TO REPLACE TREES.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - The City Council is expected to allow 136 oak trees to be planted in the city-owned portion of Quigley Canyon to offset the latest phase of development in Stevenson Ranch.

The council put off approving the plan in May after Councilman Bob Kellar became concerned that the 25 acres of oak saplings would limit filming on, and residents' use of, the Newhall land purchased last year by the City Council.

``We took another look at the plans and moved some trees around to alleviate the council's concerns,'' said transportation analyst Mark Yamarone. ``It shouldn't be a problem now.''

For many years, residents of Placerita Canyon - a rural, equestrian community - have used the property, which is too steep for development, to hike and to ride their horses.

Santa Clarita paid $825,000 last year to buy the hilly, isolated land just south of the former Bermite explosives factory, which is accessible only by private, dirt roads.

While Kellar said he expected to vote to approve the deal, he called for the city to review its policy for replacing oak trees and consider creating an oak tree account so money is available when opportunities arise.

``This defies common sense and is not well thought out,'' Kellar said. ``There have to be other options.''

Under the agreement, Lennar Communities, the developer of Stevenson Ranch, would pay $187,500 to partially reimburse Santa Clarita for the purchase of the 158 acres in Newhall.

There are several oak groves on the property that are suitable for the new trees. Lennar has also agreed to irrigate and maintain the trees for five years, Yamarone said.

In September, Lennar cut down more than 70 oak trees, including 36 that were more than a century old, angering environmentalists and historic preservationists who fought to save the trees.

The third phase of Stevenson Ranch includes plans for an elementary school, a 5-acre park, 140 homes and 700 apartments, some of them set aside for senior citizens.

Lennar agreed to replant 10 trees for each heritage oak removed and two trees for each standard oak tree cut down, according to the agreement approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The deal also calls for city officials to change the property's zoning designation to ensure that the property is left in a natural state and not developed, Yamarone said.