COUNTY WANTS SCHOOL REPORT REVIEWED MORE STUDIES MAY BE NEEDED.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - County officials have asked that the environmental report submitted by the William S. Hart Union High School District for a new high school in Castaic be reviewed to determine whether more studies and permits are needed to grade land where the campus will be built.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich ``is concerned that all the proper requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act are followed,'' said Paul Novak, deputy planner for Antonovich. ``With approval of (Antonovich's) motion, the board is directing staff to review and report back before we issue permits.''

Construction on the campus is slated to begin in 2006, with the district hoping the school will be open by summer 2007. School officials believe 2,600 will be enrolled the first year. It will have capacity 3,600 students in grades 9-12.

The campus will include nine main buildings.

The school is part of Irvine-based SunCal Co's. Northlake development, a 3,900-home project under construction.

The Hart district has been counting on the development in the area, where school officials have a deal with the developer for the 60-acre high-school campus.

Los Angeles County approved Northlake more than a decade ago, but the project lay dormant through the soft economy of the 1990s until SunCal purchased it in 2003.

School officials say they need a new campus to help accommodate what is projected to be a districtwide enrollment of 22,000 students by 2007. Besides providing the 60-acre site, SunCal is expected to spend at least $10 million preparing basic infrastructure from roads to utilities on the remote property, which is now only accessible by off-road vehicles or helicopter.

A staff report is expected to be presented to the county within 90 days.

Staff Writer Carol Rock contributed to this report.

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com