Calabasas will celebrate Ahmanson victory on Saturday

By Michael Picarella Acorn Staff Writer

The city of Calabasas wants to help citizens celebrate the preservation of Ahmanson Ranch.

If it had been developed, 2,960 acres of open space would have been lost, 40,000 daily vehicle trips would have been added to the 101 Freeway and two endangered species might have been lost. Ahmanson Ranch, north of Calabasas, would have become a 3,050-home, two-golf-course development that Washington Mutual had planned for Ventura County. The state of California recently purchased Ahmanson with intentions to preserve it as open space–and Calabasas is hosting a celebration.

The victory party, called "A Pathway Paved with Persistence—Calabasas Celebrates Ahmanson Victory," is planned for 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 25 at Gates Canyon Park, 25801 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Calabasas.

"For Calabasas, there will no longer be any bills for Ahmanson litigation," said Calabasas Mayor James Bozajian. "And no more work for us in closed session and in staff work in preparing for hearing after hearing after hearing in front of all these administrative agencies. That’ll all be gone."

Calabasas spent about $2 million on the Ahmanson battle, according to Bozajian. The money went to attorney fees, payment for expert testimony, the expenses to attend public hearings and more, he said. It doesn’t include the salaries of city staff members who also worked in the fight against Ahmanson, Bozajian said.

Calabasas citizens began a fight against Washington Mutual’s development proposal about 12 years ago. For many, the victory was the result of long, hard work.

Escrow hasn’t yet closed, but it should fairly soon, according to Laurie Collins of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The Conservancy, with various state funds, is buying land from Seattle-based Washington Mutual.

At the victory party on Saturday, guests will witness a ribbon- cutting ceremony and they can cross from Gates Canyon Park onto Ahmanson property, according to Calabasas special event coordinator Aimee Eastman.

The event will feature live music, children’s activities, wildlife—which will be brought in for the day—and more.

Guests will get trail mix and bottled water as they celebrate with the city of Calabasas. "That seems fitting," Eastman said.

Calabasans have fought the battle against the Washington Mutual development for a long time, said Calabasas City Councilwoman Lesley Devine at last week’s council meeting. Those of Calabasas should be especially proud, she said.

"This celebration of parkland is the well-deserved tribute to the Calabasas citizens who wrote letters, sent e-mails, showed up at hearings and supported the Calabasas City Council from the first resolution against development on Ahmanson Ranch in 1991," Devine said. "Every parent in Calabasas should bring their children to show them that they, each and every Calabasas citizen, is a role model."

For more information about the victory party, call (818) 878-4225, ext. 302.