PRESCHOOL WINS OK AT SYNAGOGUE NEIGHBORS PLAN APPEAL OF COMMISSION RULING.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - A split city Planning Commission on Tuesday approved Temple Beth Ami's plan to start a preschool in a modular building despite the opposition of the Reform synagogue's neighbors on Hilse Lane in Newhall.

The commissioners put off making a decision three times over the past several months, directing the city planning staff and the temple's leadership to work out a compromise. All attempts failed.

``This is a very difficult decision,'' said Commissioner Michael Berger. ``We've done everything we can to reach a conclusion acceptable to everyone.''

Commissioners Rob Parris and Rick Winsman joined Berger in approving plans for the 45-child preschool, while Commissioner Dennis Ostrom and Chairman Tim Burkhart dissented.

``This is a beautiful neighborhood,'' Ostrom said. ``This is the wrong location for a (preschool) at the end of a long maze of a street.''

The residents of Hilse Lane told the Planning Commission they fear the preschool will clog their narrow cul-de-sac with traffic and put their children in danger.

``We are fighting to preserve our neighborhood and quality of life,'' said Donna Rudolph, the owner of one of Hilse Lane's 30 homes. All of the residents are opposed to the temple's plans.

After the meeting, the homeowners said they planned to appeal the commission's decision to the Santa Clarita City Council.

``I'd put my house up for sale tomorrow if I knew it was going in,'' said homeowner Bobby Degnefelder.

The preschool's two modular buildings will result in fewer parking spaces at the temple. However, the plans meet the city's parking codes, city planners said.

The temple has agreed to build a parking lot along Newhall Creek behind the property to handle any additional cars. The preschool will generate about 150 cars on Hilse Lane a day, said traffic engineer Ian Pari.

Two attempts to work out a shared parking agreement with a nearby Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall failed, when the five congregations that worship there declined to allow the temple to use the property.

Rabbi Mark Blazer said the process had been frustrating and tiring.

``We're not happy that our neighbors are unhappy,'' Blazer said. ``We've done everything we can to work out a compromise with the homeowners.''

Blazer said there is a huge demand for a preschool at Temple Beth Ami because reform Jews in the Santa Clarita Valley are tired of having to drive their children into Los Angeles for religious instruction.

In Canyon Country, Congregation Beth Shalom, a Conservative synagogue, has operated a preschool for four years, with about 70 children enrolled.

``We have a waiting list now,'' said Carol Blum, a member of the congregation. ``There's certainly a high demand.''

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Temple Beth Ami Preschool