Planning Review Is Ordered

Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday called for a review of their planning policy in light of criticism that it enabled the developer of the 22,000-home Newhall Ranch project to quietly destroy endangered plants on its property.

On a motion by Supervisor Mike Antonovich, whose district includes Newhall’s land, the board directed its staff to survey other government agencies to see how they ensure full disclosure in their environmental documents. The supervisors also requested a timetable of Newhall’s report on the endangered plants. The motion passed unanimously.

“We’re asking for this information to ensure the process is fair,” Antonovich said. “Before we take action, we have to have all the facts.”

A report is due back to the board Jan. 14, two weeks before Newhall Land & Farming is scheduled to submit a supplemental environmental study for approval. Supervisors approved the initial environmental review in 1999, but the development was stalled after neighboring Ventura County and a group of environmentalists filed a lawsuit challenging the adequacy of the report.

A Kern County judge threw out the original environmental document and directed Newhall to provide additional information before it could move forward. The developer said it has met the requirements.

Newhall hired environmental consultants in 2000 to look for the San Fernando Valley spineflower on its property but bound them with a confidentiality agreement. Critics say that the county receives misleading reports because it allows companies to select their own consultants to review the environmental impact of development.

The county said directly managing consultants for all developments would be unwieldy.