Calabasas auto dealership officially approved

After many months of wheeling and dealing with the planning commission, city council, city staff and local homeowners, Tim Smith finally got a green light to build his BMW dealership in Calabasas. The city council officially approved the proposal last week.

In the proposal, Bob Smith BMW (currently located in Canoga Park), sought to build a 51,500 square-foot BMW dealership, with 94 on-site parking spaces and the removal of two oak trees (one which is diseased and unsafe, and one which will be relocated) on a parcel at 24486 Calabasas Road.

It also requested a change in the current zoning and General Plan land-use designation from Commercial Limited to Commercial Retail. Included were variance requests regarding a reduction of the percentage of parking lot area that would be shaded by trees and a change in signage regulations.

In mid-November, the council closed the public hearing on the matter and directed staff to prepare a resolution and ordinance for approval at the Dec. 6 meeting. The final product, a 20-page document, contained many conditions imposed by the city council, planning commission and even a few homeowner associations.

In one change suggested by the council, the arc of the parking lot was moved back to match the style of the building, according to Mark Persico, director of planning and building services.

"It looks really good," said City Councilwoman Lesley Devine, who thanked the architect for his work to accommodate the city’s recommendations.

"It’s been an onerous and difficult process, but I think we all find it will be an effective service to the community," said Mayor Dennis Washburn. "I look forward to doing business with you for a long time," he told Smith.

Washburn requested a trail easement to be included in the final legal document, which gives the city the use of six acres of the unused property as open space.

"We want that option for future use," he said.

––Sharon Makokian