PRO: EXPANDED INFLUENCE ONLY A PLANNING TOOL.

Byline: Jeff Lamber

The city of Santa Clarita is seeking an expanded sphere of influence, its application pending before the Local Agency Formation Commission. The sphere designation would give the city greater influence over development outside its borders. The city of Santa Clarita seeks, for the third time, a meaningful sphere of influence from the Local Agency Formation Commission. The city is working very hard to get approval of our sphere and it is important for the community to understand why. First, it may be helpful to understand what a sphere of influence is and, perhaps more important, what it is not.

What is a sphere? The sphere requested by the city generally covers the area bounded by the Angeles National Forest to the east and north, the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway interchange to the south and the Los Angeles/Ventura county line to the west. This is the area the city believes is likely to be included within Santa Clarita's jurisdictional boundaries over time. This will occur as landowners and residents voluntarily pursue joining the city through the annexation process.

In simple terms, the sphere is a planning tool. It acknowledges the area is likely to someday be part of the city's responsibility; therefore the city should have a formal role today in the planning of this area. This means the city would formally be part of the review and approval of development projects, the ``place at the table'' concept many have heard over the past few months.

However, the sphere also acknowledges the city's key role in long- range planning for the entire valley. The city is best equipped to lead long-range planning discussions because we best know the valley's issues.

What a sphere is not: One key voice has opposed the city's effort to gain a reasonable sphere. The opposition defends itself on two grounds: that the sphere would be another layer of government and that it would result in a land grab, forcing all to annex into the city. These points could not be further from the truth.

First, the decision maker for land use and planning issues within the city's requested sphere of influence would continue to be Los Angeles County. The only difference from today is the city would have that formal place at the table to participate in these decisions and comment on the project on behalf of Santa Clarita Valley residents. The city could serve as the voice downtown for all residents and business interests in the valley. Second, the city would not begin to ``force'' landowners and residents to annex to Santa Clarita after the sphere is approved.

The city has a very clear and long-standing annexation policy. It is simply up to the landowner (if it is a large tract of vacant land) or the residents (if it is an existing neighborhood.) We have proved this policy over 20 annexations completed by the city, none of which was forced by the city; all were entered into voluntarily under these guidelines.

In addition, we have heard the future governing structure should be left up to future residents, that they should determine their own destiny. The city believes strongly that it is far more important to allow the current residents of the entire valley to determine their destiny. This is why we are seeking citizen support for our efforts.

Some have tried to portray the city's sphere attempt as a slap in the face to the county. This is not true. The city and the county have in recent years worked very well together. We respect each other and share many views on the valley's future. In fact, the city and the county are currently proceeding to develop a single general plan (or development blueprint) for the entire valley. We could not do this if we did not have a positive working relationship.

However, the city does believe we are better equipped to provide local government services. This is not a reflection on the county. It is an acknowledgment of the purpose for city and county governments. Cities are formed by the people specifically to provide a local government representation and local services, such as parks and recreation, police and planning. Counties were formed by the state of California and are really local arms of the state, intended to provide regional services such as health care and the courts.

Santa Clarita is for the third time attempting to do what is right and get a sphere of influence that is meaningful and provides a reasonable boundary in which the city can play a leadership role. It is the right thing to do, it is what the residents of this valley formed a city in 1987 to do, and it should be approved by LAFCO as soon as possible. This sphere must include significant area west of Interstate 5.