Calabasas tries to move forward on Sagebrush Cantina annexation

By Michael Picarella Acorn Staff Writer

Sagebrush Cantina

The city of Calabasas is spending money to annex from the city of Los Angeles a popular restaurant and bar and the historic Leonis Adobe property that’s adjacent.

The city of Los Angeles has never agreed to give up the parcel and is expected to fight annexation because Sagebrush Cantina generates about $30,000 per year, the city’s portion of its sales tax revenue. Sagebrush is one of the most popular restaurant/bars in L.A. County, according to L.A. city officials.

Sagebrush and Leonis Adobe might seem like Calabasas entities, but they sit within L.A. city boundaries. Calabasas has tried unsuccessfully since 1990 to annex the six acres of property. Some Calabasas city officials have said that both establishments, for all intents and purposes, are part of Calabasas. According to Calabasas City Councilwoman Lesley Devine, part of one table in Sagebrush is actually split down the middle—half sitting in the city of L.A. and half in the city of Calabasas.

"From a historical and an emotional point of view, of course we would like to see the Leonis Adobe as part of the city," said Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem Michael Harrison. Leonis Adobe dates back to 1844. "We have yet to reach any kind of an agreement with the city of Los Angeles, whether they would be willing to de-annex the four parcels that comprise the subjects of the annexation," Harrison said. "We have to get their approval. If they say, ‘No, we’re not willing to de-annex our territory,’ then it just won’t happen. We have to have their approval."

No formal meeting with the city of Los Angeles has been arranged, Harrison said. Everything, he said, is preliminary at this point.

Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine said previously that L.A. isn’t anxious to surrender the land unless Calabasas would offer something in exchange. Last Wednesday, the L.A. City Council unanimously opposed the annexation on grounds that there were no benefits for L.A. During a public hearing at a Calabasas City Council meeting last week, City Councilman Barry Groveman said he wants to initiate friendly negotiations with L.A.

Harrison said, "I expect that (L.A.) will say that they want all the revenue from the Sagebrush Cantina. I doubt that they’re too concerned about the other parcels."

Tom Henry, chief planning deputy for Zine, said the city of L.A. hasn’t heard any creative proposals from Calabasas.

"I suspect that the heart of the negotiations will concern the revenue from the Sagebrush Cantina and also the expenses associated with serving the Sagebrush Cantina such as the sheriff’s expenses," Harrison said. "The sheriff initially said they wanted over $160,000 a year to serve the Sagebrush Cantina, if it becomes part of the city of Calabasas. That’s probably more than the city is willing to pay because that would be a huge net loss for us every year."

Harrison said the city might have to ask the Sagebrush owners to provide their own security, similar to an arrangement with The Commons shopping center. Fire protection also has to be added into the equation, Harrison said.

At a Calabasas Chamber of Commerce meeting last week, a member of the audience said that when the Leonis Adobe calls for police, LAPD says to call the sheriff’s department and vice versa.

According to Calabasas special projects coordinator Matthew Hayden, the city has been conducting internal procedures to assure that annexation is possible.

"Then the project itself—the application for annexation and de-annexation—goes to Los Angeles County LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission)," Harrison said. "That’s the agency that handles annexations, de-annexations and corporations. They’ll review it and then make a recommendation."

Calabasas has already spent about $60,000 on the annexation process, according to Harrison. And more costs are on the way, he said.

"I’ve been told that this is the method we have to pursue," Harrison said.