Condo project gets approval by Calabasas City Council
Trees, realignment of roadway uncertain
By Sharon Makokian
Acorn Staff Writer

The Calabasas City Council last week approved the development of a 48-unit single-family detached condominium project on an 11.63-acre site located at the southeast corner of Agoura Road and Las Virgenes Road.

However, it left open the final decision on an issue that has caused some recent controversy—how to widen Las Virgenes Road while sparing the pepper trees on the west side of the street. Longtime resident Erik Pontoppidan planted the trees more than 46 years ago. The trees have grown so big that they can be seen by drivers on Las Virgenes Road and have become part of the rural landscape.

The property was the location of the first major planning approval after the city was incorporated in 1991. A large-scale commercial project, similar to The Commons, was approved for this property in 1994. When that wasn’t built, and after a building moratorium, developer Pamela Azar (of PAZAR Associates) proposed an apartment complex, which was voted down by the city in 2000, in part because the neighbors disapproved.

Early in 2001, Azar began meeting with residents to try to develop something that would be amenable to everybody in the area. The area homeowners’ associations now approve of the project, which has less density than the proposed apartment complex.

"In addition to my longstanding commitment to enhance the area … (this development) is in reduced in scope from the (original) approved commercial development," Azar told the council. "I’ve worked diligently with the Stone Creek Homeowners’ Association … I’ve met the criteria and given my heart to this city."

The approval of the development comes with 226 stringent conditions, developed by the city staff and the planning commission, which had referred the street widening/tree issue to the council at its last meeting.

Therein lies the rub.

The city has several alternatives in the way in which the developer widens the road (part of the requirements for construction), which they will study before the final plans are set.

"I believe we can come up with a good solution," said Steve Craig, interim community development director, who originally supported removing the trees and widening the road on the west side.

During its discussion, councilmembers disagreed on the issue, which seemed to baffle everyone, who had different interpretations of the Las Virgenes Scenic Corridor Plan.

"It’s a little like reading the Bible—I think you can find what you want to find," said City Councilman Michael Harrison of disagreements over the plan.

Harrison added that he wasn’t concerned about cutting down the trees, which he said aren’t native to the area, because newly planted pepper trees would grow quickly.

Mayor Pro Tem Lesley Devine was concerned about safety issues on Las Virgenes Road because A.E. Wright Middle School and Indian Hills High School are across the street from the new condominiums.

"I have a deep concern for the children … there is no sidewalk on the west side (an improvement which PAZAR is required to make). I’m a little angry this road thing over non-native trees has gone this far," she said.

Devine expressed sympathy for the Pontoppidans, but said safety should come first.

"I love pepper trees too, but if I have to choose—where is my value system—a pepper tree or a child? My values are real clear—it’s got to be the children first," she said.

But Mayor Janice Lee saw the tree preservation as a major consideration for future generations.

"For the safety of the kids, we should try to ensure that we don’t lose the rural character," said Lee.

Lee, along with councilmen James Bozajian and Dennis Washburn, all were in favor of sparing the Pontoppidans any loss of their trees or land.

Pontoppidan pled for his property.

"I think we’ve tried to be good citizens. Why should we be made to give up our yard and tranquil way of life?" he said.

Washburn proposed the final resolution, to find a way to improve Las Virgenes Road with only "a minimal encroachment of one or two pepper trees."

All of the major parties will negotiate the issue, with input from the city’s traffic commission and city staff, before a final recommendation is brought to the council.