STAFF WRITER

Plans for a vast residential project that could be home to more than 5,000 people in southwestern Santa Maria have the reached the City Council.

A public hearing on the Mahoney Ranch South project is scheduled for Tuesday's meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall,

110 E. Cook St.

The plan proposes 1,405 residential units on 191 acres of the 319-acre property located south of Betteravia Road between Black Road and the Santa Maria Public Airport property, and north of the Tanglewood community.

According to the project's environmental impact report, 727 would be single-family homes, on lots ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 square feet; 479 would be multifamily units, such as duplexes and triplexes; and 199 would be high-density residential, multifamily units, such as townhomes or apartments.

Besides the residential units, the plan ultimately includes an elementary school, community park, community retail center and 106 acres of conservation open space designated to protect the California tiger salamander and red-legged frog.

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On July 2, the Planning Commission unanimously sent the project to the council with a recommendation in favor of the project. At the meeting, Tanglewood residents expressed concerns over losing privacy and views of the Santa Maria Valley.

The Mahoney Ranch Specific Plan was originally adopted in 1994 and has since been split into two areas - Mahoney Ranch South and Mahoney Ranch North. The 141-acre northern portion is not up for development at this time.

Julian J. Ramos can be reached at 739-2219 or at jramos@santamariatimes.com.

August 18, 2008