NEW HOUSING OK'D, BUT NOT WITHOUT DEBATE.

Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Four new subdivisions approved by the City Council last week will add about 405 houses and town homes between Sierra Highway in Canyon Country and the city's undeveloped core.

Some of the developments, however, stirred concern among the council. The most contentious - a group of roughly 150 detached condos planned on nearly 20 acres near the railroad tracks along Soledad Canyon Road, between Langside Avenue and Camp Plenty Road - was approved by a vote of 4-1 after debate about whether the project was in the public's interest.

Los Angeles-based developer Soledad Canyon ARI had agreed to set the homes 80 feet from the Metrolink tracks, divided by an 8-foot wall, and install double-pane windows at adjacent units. Other concessions included a 2.6-acre park, trails, landscaping and more than $700,000 in city park fees.

But council members Marsha McLean - who voted against the project - and Laurene Weste argued that the project was too dense and that more parkland concessions were needed.

``I'm concerned about quality planning,'' Weste said. ``I would hate for us to do poor planning. ... I'm disappointed it got this far.''

``There has to be a public benefit to offset the impacts,'' McLean said.

But Councilman Frank Ferry backed the project. ``This project is going to add value to the community,'' he said. ``As a gateway coming in (to Canyon Country), it's going to be beautiful.''

The developer agreed to an additional $50,000 in park fees before the vote.

Meanwhile, home builder Centex is planning 166 homes on 33 acres adjacent to Golden Valley High School. The project includes several affordable-housing units and a profit-sharing agreement between the builder and the Santa Clarita Valley Facilities Foundation, which owns the property.

The foundation, a nonprofit developer spun off from the William S. Hart Union High School District, said as much as $14 million of the proceeds would fund construction of theaters at Canyon and Saugus high schools.

The developer is also committing more than $1 million in park fees.

``What we're preparing is well within the standards,'' said Ronald Gallagher, director of land development for Centex's Los Angeles/Ventura Division.

City Manager Ken Pulskamp said it was a good deal for the city, especially with the affordable-housing component, and the council unanimously approved the project.

Other projects unanimously approved by the council include 34 town homes near Sierra Highway and Beneda Lane and 55 condominiums on 9.3 acres on the corner of Sierra Highway and American Beauty Way.

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com