LANCASTER SEEKS JOB-MAKERS ECONOMIC MASTER PLAN CALLS FOR BALANCING HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- An economic master plan, put together to help guide Lancaster's development, calls for establishing more sites to house relocating businesses, running a ``branding'' campaign to build up the city's image among residents and businesses that might choose Lancaster sites, and partnering with schools to prepare future workers.

Approved Tuesday night by the Lancaster City Council, the plan calls for a four-pronged approach: reducing the Antelope Valley's imbalance between housing and jobs, developing a work force prepared for 21st century jobs, revitalizing local commerce and promoting a sense of community. Officials describe the plan as a framework for later action.

``If you don't have a plan, you're going to run around in the dark,'' said Councilman Jim Jeffra. ``We are in the fiscal condition where we can do these things.''

To help spur job creation, city officials intend to create sites where the proper environmental and technical permits are already available. Officials said they need to do so or businesses will go to other places where the development process has been simplified.

``We need more sites in Lancaster,'' said Vern Lawson Jr., the city's director of economic development. ``That's not just a role for government. We want to be a partner with developers.''

For industrial development, the focus will be on the Fox Field corridor area between the Fox Field airport and the Antelope Valley Freeway. City government is acquiring nearly 100 acres from Los Angeles County government to use for drainage improvements, which will free up more land in that area for development, Lawson said.

An incentive offered in the 1990s in Lancaster -- $2,000 per job -- may also be revived to attract employers. Incentive funds could be used toward streets, sewer lines, water lines and other improvements that would be needed to develop a business site.

The plan recommends working with school districts to promote work-ethic training, vocational training and internship programs. The plan also suggests starting ``boomerang'' programs to try to lure back educated young people who left the Antelope Valley to get higher education.

Such programs could include scholarships, in exchange for a fixed term of service in the city, or start-up grants for those wanting to start a new business or practice.

The plan also calls for city officials to facilitate the creation of training programs to meet employer needs.

``If you want to attract high-paying jobs, you have to have the work force with the right abilities,'' said Councilman Andy Visokey. ``You can't expect businesses to come here without the skills.''

The ``branding'' campaign might be launched next year in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Lancaster cityhood. The city's logo and many of its marketing materials were created years ago and need to be updated, officials said.

``Branding is an important part of our economic future,'' said Councilman Ron Smith. ``You have to put that brand into the minds of the people who bring the high-paying jobs.''

Officials will consider establishing a developer fee that would link new housing starts to economic development. Under the concept, housing developers would either create business parks and shopping centers as part of their projects or pay a fee to the city toward sites for job producers.

``It's not just good for the people buying homes; it's good for the developers as a selling point,'' Smith said.

Establishing such a fee would have to be done in consultation with developers, Smith said.

Gretchen Gutierrez, executive director of the Antelope Valley chapter of the Building Industry Association, said her organization is researching that concept to see if any other cities have used it and, if so, with what degree of success.

``Yes, we're more than happy to have discussions on this,'' Gutierrez said. ``However, we would not like to see the entire burden place on new development. If everybody is going to benefit, then everybody should have a slice of the financial responsibility.''

Visokey said he has concerns about any new fee and would want more information before considering the idea.

``When I see a fee, I raise an eyebrow,'' Visokey said. ``How many fees can we put out there?''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Wal-Mart construction on Valley Central Way in Lancaster advances this week.

(2 -- color) Commercial construction progresses on Valley Central Way in Lancaster. City officials have introduced a plan to continue promoting job-making development.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer