NEWHALL RANCH CUTBACK?; L.A. COUNTY SUPERVISOR URGES REDUCTION IN HOMES.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

Critics of the massive Newhall Ranch development arrived Tuesday at the Los Angeles County supervisors' meeting unsure how the board would receive The Newhall Land and Farming Company project.

Most left satisfied, however, praising a move by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to reduce the 24,000-home project by about 3,500 and provide for public oversight on 6,000 acres of open space.

``It's clearly a victory for a lot of the issues and I'm very happy to see it,'' Santa Clarita Councilwoman Laurene Weste said. Councilman Frank Ferry also praised the compromise and said he looked forward to a resolution of the project.

``I think the motion is excellent,'' Ferry said. ``It's the first time the city has been at the table with the county and the developer. (Antonovich) has allowed us to sit there and negotiate. It's a major win.''

The plan even received praise from Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long. Ventura County had threatened to sue if the L.A. County supervisors did not take steps to mitigate their concerns over the water supply for the project, traffic impacts and environmental damage.

``I'd like to put away that county line and look at the regional issues that need to be discussed,'' Long told the supervisors. ``You've taken a very strong step and the regional community is very pleased with that.''

Still, the decision concerned Newhall Land officials, who view the recommendations as slightly harsher than expected and are preparing for further negotiations with various parties. The next supervisors' meeting on the issue is scheduled for Oct. 27.

``We think the motion is definitely tough on the project,'' said Marlee Lauffer, spokeswoman for Newhall Land. ``But there were a lot of demands being made and we think they were fair with that. We're still open to discussions.''

Tuesday's hearing, delayed once before, drew dozens of concerned officials and residents from Santa Clarita and Ventura County. Some took chartered buses while others arrived alone or in pairs to see what the county board would do during its first public airing of the project.

Antonovich's motion addressed several of the key issues that have concerned area officials, environmentalists and residents. It proposed creating a buffer along the river, reducing the number of homes on 19 square miles of land and creating local control over 6,000 acres of open space.

Newhall Land originally proposed building more than 25,000 homes west of the Golden State Freeway to the Ventura County line. That number was eventually reduced to 24,351, which would result in an estimated 70,000 people. The county Regional Planning Commission unanimously recommended the project to the board in December.

Even with the reduction of housing units, it remains the largest single project application in Los Angeles County history.

In his motion, Antonovich recommended that a half-mile buffer be established along the Santa Clara River, possibly reducing the number of homes in the plan by 3,500.

By creating the buffer, Antonovich pleased environmentalists concerned about the future of the Santa Clara, the last wild river in Southern California, and others who sought a smaller development.

The river protection also fits with the city's effort to promote the river as a local natural habitat that will provide recreational and educational opportunities.

And though Newhall Land would prefer the 24,000 housing units approved by the Regional Planning Commission, Lauffer pointed out that Newhall Ranch remains a considerable project.

``The 21,000 units is still a significant new community,'' Lauffer said. ``We've planned it to have tremendous community amenities and we're gratified that the motion recognized the amenities.''

Antonovich also recommended that Newhall Land work with the city and Santa Clarita Valley residents on a plan to provide access to the 6,000 acres of open space being offered by the company as mitigation for the project.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) (Ran in Simi and Conejo Editions only) Ventura County residents board a bus at the Government Center on Tuesday to attend an L.A. County supervisors meeting.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News

(2--Color in SAC Edition only) People opposed to the Newhall Ranch project gathered in downtown L.A.

John McCoy/Daily News