COUNCIL OKS PORTA BELLA AGREEMENT.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

After five years of bureaucratic delays, the City Council has tentatively approved a development agreement for the 2,900-home Porta Bella project, setting the massive project in motion.

The council voted 3-1 Tuesday to approve the agreement, with Councilman Clyde Smyth dissenting. Councilwoman Jan Heidt was absent. The $1 billion 20-year agreement faces a final vote Feb. 13.

Officials from Marina del Rey-based Northholme Partners were pleased with the decision but acknowledged that they still have a lot of work ahead.

Elated is how project manager Sam Veltri described himself moments after the council's decision. "We're able to keep going forward."

If the council gives final approval, Veltri said, the developers will begin pursuing construction permits and working on detailed site plans.

The development agreement gives the developer guaranteed approvals of the project in return for financing projects that would benefit the city.

Plans call for building 1,224 single-family homes and 1,667 multifamily homes on 996 acres south of Soledad Canyon Road on the former Bermit munitions factory property. The development will feature a business park, schools and parks.

Despite several missing sections, the council approved the document over objections from Smyth, who wanted to see a more complete agreement.

"It's the largest project that has been done and ever will be done in the city's present configuration," Smyth said Wednesday. "It's the most important thing we've done so far. When you have something of this magnitude, don't do it fast, do it right."

Some residents felt the council acted too hastily in approving the agreement, which outlines different projects the developer has agreed to finance.

"We don't know what the full agreement is," said Carl Kanowsky, who lives near the project. "This is a 20-year, $1 billion agreement the city is marrying itself to. You're rushing to judgment without all the facts."

Despite some misgivings, Councilman George Pederson voted for the agreement.

"I think it is a good project, and the city got a reasonable amount out of developer," Pederson said. "If everything is done right and development is done according to agreement and according to controls we have out here, it will benefit the community."

Under the proposed 20-year deal, the developer would have to:

Extend Magic Mountain Parkway east to Via Princessa, widening the road to four lanes during Porta Bella's first phase.

Grade a future civic center site and provide utilities and reclaimed water.

Provide a site for a radio repeater station.

Set aside an eight-acre industrial parcel for a bus terminal and four-acre business park site at the future Santa Clarita Parkway and Via Princessa.

Provide an indemnity agreement on hazardous waste cleanup of the Porta Bella site.

The developer also has agreed to give the city a temporary bus terminal as soon as the toxic waste cleanup is complete, and a 6.4-acre Santa Clarita Metrolink station as soon as the development agreement is approved.