After much debate and propaganda, the decision on the Stonecrest annexation to the City of Santa Clarita is due this week.

Much of the City's desire to annex this area is based on the fact that the Stonecrest development is the closest residential neighborhood to the proposed Cemex mine, which if allowed to operate at planned levels would create a lot of extra traffic and air pollution in the Santa Clarita area off the 14 freeway. It would also be the first time in history that a mine of this magnitude would be allowed to be opened this close to a residential neighborhood.

The City feels that if the Stonecrest area is within the City's boundaries, they would have more weight in fighting the Cemex mine operations. Other than its proximity to Cemex, the Stonecrest area does not have much to offer the City, since it has no industry or major retail establishments that would add to the City's tax base.

Reports say that under 250 protest signatures were received, and of those many of them were revoked. The Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has apparently completed their review of the signatures and letters received, both for and against the annexation, and should make a ruling this week. At least 15% of the registered voters in the area must protest the annexation in order for it to go to a vote. Otherwise, the annexation can move forward without a vote.