SOME FEAR SANTA CLARITA MAYOR'S ZEAL AS . . . CHAMPION OF OPEN SPACE.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Mayor Laurene Weste makes no apologies for her push for open space and parkland in and around Santa Clarita - even if it means stepping on some toes.

The concern among some residents and city officials is that Weste's desire to create a greenbelt around the rapidly growing city may be influencing unrelated city decisions and creating friction on the City Council.

``I hate to see Santa Clarita to be continued to be developed, but I don't agree that it should come at any cost, like Weste does,'' said Lynda Cook, one of the Canyon Country homeowners who fought a city proposal to build a bus yard near their homes, a plan that could have helped the city expand the nearby Santa Clarita Sports Complex.

Weste tagged the preservation of more open space as her highest priority when she took over as mayor in December.

``The real goal of this community is to leave a legacy of a greenbelt to future generations,'' said Weste, a member of the 13-year-old city's first Parks and Recreation Commission. ``The only way to do that is to put it in public ownership.''

Deputy City Manager Rick Putnam is spearheading an effort to develop an ongoing mechanism to fund the acquisition of open space and parkland. City officials are considering creating an open space assessment district, floating a bond or setting aside part of the city's general fund.

``This is a crucial issue, and a huge need in our community,'' Putnam said.

Other members of the City Council said offers of open space tied to other city programs should be considered very carefully to make sure that the city isn't being pressured into a less-than-desirable deal because of the promise of popular parkland.

``You always have to be aware of the big picture,'' said Councilman Frank Ferry. ``There is always a cost - nothing is free.''

On Tuesday, Weste encouraged the council to consider an offer from Browning Ferris Industries to give the city Elsmere Canyon in return for the city's $10 million trash franchise.

Ferry and Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy said Weste violated City Council rules by not directing BFI to discuss the matter with City Manager George Caravalho. She and Councilman Cameron Smyth met with BFI officials to discuss the proposal before the full City Council was informed of the pending deal.

``It was just inappropriate,'' Darcy said. ``Did the open space involved play a role in that decision? I hope not, but it is such a hot-button issue.''

Six years ago, city officials and residents successfully fought plans to turn the environmentally sensitive canyon into a landfill. BFI officials said this past week they have no plans to build a landfill there but have declined to withdraw the permit application on file with the county of Los Angeles.

Dozens of residents urged the City Council to be cautious while considering BFI's proposals, many reminding council members you never get something for nothing.

Other residents were alarmed by a string of violations at Sunshine Canyon landfill, owned and operated by BFI. It is just east of the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeways, south of the city; Elsmere Canyon is on the west side of the interchange.

``I was very concerned that Weste's focus on open space meant she didn't care about damaging our health and neighborhood,'' said Channing Licon, another homeowner who fought the bus yard proposal.

The bus yard is now proposed to be built in Valencia, at the Rye Canyon Business Park.

Cook said she and Licon, along with the other members of the Shadow Oaks Homeowners Association, were afraid the opportunity to add onto the city Sports Complex with a donation from the owners of the Santa Clarita Business Park would trump their concerns that a bus yard would sicken their children and reduce their property values.

The owners of the Santa Clarita Business Park offered to give the city 24 acres for the Sports Complex if it purchased 14 acres in the business park for the 150-bus yard. Residents threatened to sue the city, worried that the additional traffic and diesel fumes would harm their neighborhood.

``It's a tricky thing,'' Licon said. ``As long as no one's life or livelihood is being threatened, I'm all in favor of these types of deals.''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Mayor Laurene Weste, here with Dave Peterson, the city's project development coordinator, hopes to preserve green space.

(2 -- color) Critics say Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste's parkland mission overshadows other city priorities.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer