Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita will collect at least $137 million in sales taxes in return for providing financial aid for an 80-acre regional mall proposed by Newhall Land & Farming Co., city officials announced Friday. The agreement will allow Newhall Land to proceed with the long-awaited Valencia Town Center, the first major retail outlet in the Santa Clarita Valley, and funnel the $137 million into the city treasury over 30 years, Assistant City Manager Ken Pulskamp said.

Half of the businesses responding to what was billed as one of the largest economic research efforts ever undertaken in the Santa Clarita Valley region said that their survival and growth depend on improved economic conditions and fewer regulations. Nevertheless, an average 15% increase in gross revenues was expected by the respondents this year compared with 1994, and they anticipate 25% growth next year.

Santa Clarita will be unable to provide enough lower-cost housing to meet the demand during the next four years, but the city can take steps to preserve what it has, according to a city report released this week. About 4,372 households, 12% of those in the city, pay too high a percentage of their incomes for housing, according to the report, which was prepared by the city for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Santa Clarita City Council has tentatively exempted a 70-unit luxury housing project from a proposed slow-growth initiative. Under a seven-year development agreement approved late Tuesday, Sand Canyon Estates would be exempt from Measure A, which would allow Santa Clarita to limit residential construction to 475 new housing units each year through 2002.

Traffic was gridlocked for much of the day Saturday over a wide area of the Santa Clarita Valley after a tanker truck carrying 8,000 gallons of pressurized gasoline overturned on an on-ramp to the Antelope Valley Freeway. A three-mile stretch of the freeway and sections of Sierra Highway and San Fernando Road were closed for hours Saturday afternoon and evening after officials, attempting to pump fuel from the downed tanker, discovered it was leaking.

January, 1985--Community leaders form group to study cityhood. October, 1985--The civic group announces plans to pursue cityhood, the fourth such effort in the area since 1962. January, 1986--Cityhood petition drive begins. Organizers need 13,000 signatures to qualify for consideration. September, 1986--Petition drive ends. LAFCO's executive officer, Ruth Bennell, begins feasibility study of the proposed 95-square-mile city.

Santa Clarita just won't take no for an answer. Six weeks ago, the young city failed in an attempt to extend its influence far beyond its borders. The bid was rejected by the Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission, largely because of developer opposition.

City officials announced plans Monday for a community survey and a series of hearings to gather public comment on a multimillion dollar recovery plan to be funded by future tax increases. The council passed Santa Clarita's sweeping, 30-year Community Recovery Plan for earthquake repairs, disaster preparation, economic development and affordable housing after the Northridge earthquake. Officials also hope to gather suggestions from the public on additional projects.

The largest and most eagerly anticipated park in the Santa Clarita Valley was dedicated Saturday during a ceremony that at times was drowned out by the roar of blustery winds and the sounds of children who couldn't wait to get on the new playground equipment.