RESIDENTS STILL RESIST COMPLEX.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

VALENCIA - A group of Bridgeport homeowners who joined together to fight plans for a new apartment complex Wednesday appealed the Planning Commission's approval of the project.

Last month, the city Planning Commission unanimously approved The Newhall Land and Farming Company's plans for the 212-unit apartment complex and 17,600-square-foot shopping center at Newhall Ranch Road and McBean Parkway.

About 100 residents of one of Santa Clarita's newest developments contend that the complex will cause traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, a decrease in their property values and a surge in crime.

Before approving the project, the commissioners revised the project because of the homeowners' concerns, but did not reduce the number of apartments in the complex or approve the homeowners' request to gate the Back Bay neighborhood.

``It wasn't a total loss, but they failed to hear us on the most important points,'' said Michael Irvine, a resident of the Back Bay neighborhood and one of the leaders of the opposition effort. Traffic-calming measures, such as stop signs and speed bumps, will be added to the streets surrounding the complex and a six-foot-high wall will be built along Baywood Lane to restrict pedestrian access to the apartments.

In addition, residents of the complex, named Harbor Woods - in keeping with the nautical theme of Bridgeport - will be required to keep their balconies free of clutter.

Newhall Land also pledged to complete a pedestrian tunnel that will go under Newhall Ranch Road along the San Francisquito Creek corridor and link to the city's trails system before the first apartment is rented.

The commission recommended that the Santa Clarita City Council limit the hours of construction and prohibit parking cars overnight on Baywood Lane.