SANTA CLARITA : Council Appeals Construction Site

The city of Santa Clarita will ask the county Board of Supervisors to overturn a decision allowing construction of a golf course and housing tract in an oak woodland designated as ecologically sensitive.

The Santa Clarita City Council voted 3 to 2 late Tuesday to appeal the county Regional Planning Commission’s approval of the 1,868-unit project, known as Westridge. Proposed by Newhall Land & Farming Co., the project would be built just west of the city on 798 acres, 306 of which were designated by the county 12 years ago as a Significant Ecological Area dubbed the Valley Oak Savannah. The appeal will cost the city about $2,260.

Councilwoman Jan Heidt, who urged the council to appeal the Planning Commission’s Jan. 23 decision, said the project will increase traffic congestion in the city. Council members Jo Anne Darcy and Howard (Buck) McKeon opposed the appeal.