Battle For High Ground in Calabasas
Posted by Noel Coleman on Nov 6, 2005 - 10:22:00 PM
CALABASAS–In the upcoming Nov. 8 election Calabasas residents will vote on Measure Calabasas-C, a bill that will determine the future of a large portion of remaining undeveloped land in Malibu Canyon between Las Virgenes and Stokes Canyon Roads. A variety of propositions have been suggested for the land, but varying interests within the surrounding community have led to a heated debate over the best possible plan.
Long-time Calabasas resident and developer Brian Boudreau, owner of the debated property, has proposed construction of Malibu Valley Inn and Spa, a destination resort nestled around equestrian trails and providing full service swim and tennis facilities to the surrounding community, along with a spa and fitness area. Horse facilities will be available to local riding groups, as well.
An 81-home subdivision was initially proposed for the disputed land, but according to proponents of the measure, the Malibu Valley Inn and Spa would better utilize the land both environmentally and economically. The proposed development has received support from some homeowners in the area, and has been most rigorously campaigned by the Calabasas Park Homeowners Association Board led by Robert Pope and Deirdre Waitt. This organization is one member of the Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation (LVHF), who oversees all potential development issues in the area.
Development advocates argue, “If the inn and spa are not built, homes will be.” In a recently released advisory note, supporters emphasis that inn and spa costs far outweigh those of the proposed subdivision, reducing disturbed area by 400% and retaining over 300 acres of open space. Moreover, a variety of new jobs would become available to Calabasas residents, and the city would see a $25 million income increase over the next ten years.
Opponents of Measure Calabasas-C stress the proposed resort would led to an additional 3,000 car trips on weekends and 2,000 on weekdays in the canyon, dramatically increasing traffic backups and air pollution. The resort has also been charged for overstating the prominence of its equestrian facility. “Over 91% of the project is devoted to hotel rooms, a huge convention center, and restaurants,” argued challengers of the measure.
Rivals also claim that development of the resort or subdivision goes against guidelines of the Los Angeles County North Area Plan and lacks a building permit for Coastal Zones. According to LVHF President Steve Hess, the project’s shift from a residential to commercial venture along with a current effort to switch the debated land from Los Angeles to Calabasas County would legally allow construction to occur.
The project is opposed by the Save Open Space organization, the Sierra Club, and Monte Nido Valley Homeowners Association, also a member of the LVHF. While the project has been an ongoing process, Hess notes that the Nov. 8 vote has made many people “lift their heads about what’s really going on.” While supporters of Measure C argue that replacing the proposed subdivision with a resort effectively saved a large portion of open space, Hess noted many believe that idea “couldn’t be further from the truth.”
While Hess declined to comment on which direction he saw the election leaning in the Las Virgenes area, he mentioned that lately there has been a “trend in opposition to the measure.” California State Senator Sheila Kuehl also recently jumped on board the campaign against Measure Calabasas-C.
Additional information on the situation is available at Las Virgenes Homeowner’s Federation Web site at www.lvhf.org and for Malibu Valley Inn and Spa at www.malibuvalleyinnandspa.com.
