NEWHALL FOCUSES ON DOWNTOWN OFFICIALS WANT TO COMBINE LAND PARCELS FOR DENSER DEVELOPMENT.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

NEWHALL -- Glance around downtown Newhall and redevelopment efforts seem nil, but there is action aplenty behind the scenes.

The specific plan adopted in November by Santa Clarita city officials spells out what development can go where and how it should look. But right now officials and developers are zeroing in on a bigger effort: bundling several small parcels into bigger ones so whole blocks can be rebuilt at a time. They say it takes time.

``I'm feeling pretty good about the way things are moving forward,'' said Paul Brotzman, director of community development. ``When you revitalize an area, it never changes overnight. The process takes months and years to happen.''

The city is preparing to move ahead with projects that involve a parking structure and pulling together an entire block of land where there will be commercial development and possibly a library, Brotzman said.

Retooled zoning codes permit denser commercial development in the area, which allows developers to squeeze more onto their lots. Plans for four dynamic sites are in the works, and the city is on the verge of inviting selected developers to submit proposals for two of them.

Nigel Stout, a commercial real estate broker with Grubb & Ellis, said he thinks many are taking a wait-and-see attitude, though property values have climbed.

``Probably a year ago the same building I sold (for $1.35 million four months ago) would have sold for $850,000,'' he said. ``It's all about density and how much you can put on a parcel. If you increase density, (the lots) are worth more.''

Stout said for the time being buyers seem to be purchasing buildings they plan to occupy, but many are mindful of the area's promise. He applauds the city's efforts to help the renewal along by working with developers to assemble properties into a ``critical mass.''

His client Randal Winter, who runs a construction business from a building on San Fernando Road across from the Canyon Theatre Guild, has listed the property for sale at $1.79 million.

``Five years ago I bought the property for a couple hundred grand,'' he said. ``We've been offered more than $1.65 million.'' He turned it down.

Some property owners who spoke freely about their ideas after the plan was adopted are more close-lipped today.

Local developer John Ahrens, who co-owns the vacant lot at Sixth Street and San Fernando Road where the weekly seasonal farmers market sets up shop, feels the buzz among property owners. Earlier he envisioned building a movie theater, restaurant and retail and commercial office complex on his property; today he is mum about the plan.

``We're working on it and the city is being cooperative,'' he said. ``You know what they want, that part we have a clear understanding of.''

Businessman Tim Crissman, who with partner Joe Caso owns the largest undeveloped lot on the same block, said, ``We've really been kind of waiting to see ultimately the city's position. I'm excited things are finally coming together. I think it's been a long time coming.''

While Ahrens and Crissman had envisioned building on their own lots, the city's desire to shun piecemeal projects for whole-street developments changes things around.

Existing landowners would automatically be considered development partners, and the Santa Clarita City Council, acting as the city's redevelopment agency, will choose the ``highest and best use'' for the sites.

Two parking structures and a civic building are planned for an area spanning 32 parcels, in the hands of 18 property owners. The south lot would encompass 14 parcels owned by five owners, the north lot would cover eight parcels owned by six owners, and the north civic building would sit on 10 parcels owned by seven owners.

By infusing the $1 million blueprint with $7 million up front for civic buildings and parking lots for 800 cars, the city aims to show developers -- who will be relied on to transform the rundown area into a bustling pedestrian-friendly hub -- they mean business. Brotzman said developers or the city would negotiate the acquisition of properties.

John Andrews, redevelopment administrator for the city of Pasadena, which has eight redevelopment areas, said residents need to adopt a long-term view.

``It can be a 15-, 20-, 25-year effort,'' he said. ``Redevelopment is not the plan, per se. It's a tool the city has in their toolbox to implement a vision. The developer will know whether they can depend on that vision to guide their decision, so it's not a moving target for them.''

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

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