Los Angeles-area development approved in fire-prone zone

The conflict between the need for more housing in California and the danger of building in fire-prone mountains was decided in favor of homes yesterday as Los Angeles County supervisors approved a massive rural housing development.

The supervisors voted to approve a 19,000 home project in the midst of a statewide housing shortage, high rents and a very visible homelessness crisis even as recent wildfires have drawn attention to the danger of building in rural terrain that rings California's urban areas.

The Centennial project at Tejon Ranch off Interstate 5 in arid mountains that separate Los Angeles from the Central Valley to the north has been in the works for two decades.

While supporters touted the jobs that would be created building the new homes, including nearly a fifth set aside for the poor, opponents criticized environmental destruction in the undeveloped area and took aim at the fire hazard it presented.

County planners and fire officials signed off on the project, and developers said the community would be built to minimize fire hazards and roads would be widened to help people evacuate if there is a fire.