Calabasas inn and spa stirs controversy

By Michael Picarella

pic@theacorn.com

The Calabasas City Council is in a quandary over whether or noto annex the proposed Malibu Valley Inn and Spa, a commerciadevelopment that would be builon unincorporated Los AngeleCounty land at the northwest corner of Mulholland Highway and Stokes Canyon Road.

In a 3-2 vote last week, the council approved placing an advisory measure on the Nov. 8 ballot that will gauge public opinion about the 342,000-square-foodevelopment.

“A full democratic process wilensure that all citizens have a say in the impact of this project, the values we choose and the image we project to surrounding communities,” Helene Regen, president othe Calabasas Park HomeownerAssociation (CPHA) said in a letter to the city council.

CPHA favors the inn and spabut other residents and groups remain opposed.

“A November referendum wilhasten the debate, keep the community united and increase public participation for a project othis significance,” Regen said.

Voters will be asked to answethe following question: Should Calabasas annex 152 acres on Mulholland Highway east of Las Virgenes Road for the Malibu Valley Inn and Spa—a 203-room resort, five estate homes, facilities for swimming, equestrian use, tennis, fitness spa, restaurant, winery, shops, conference rooms and underground parking as described in the project’s draft environmental impact report—in lieu of up to 81 estate homes on 443 acres if not annexed?

The city attorney has been assigned to write an unbiased ballot analysis that will include further details about the development. Voters will be given all pros and cons before casting their ballot.

The vote does not decide whether or not the project will be built; it only serves as a public litmus test, according to officials.

Those who oppose the ballot measure, such as Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Washburn and Calabasas City Councilmember James Bozajian, said the unprecedented vote takes the city council’s land use decision making power away.

Putting the advisory measure on the ballot will cost about $25,000, said Robin Parker, Calabasas assistant city manager. Some residents objected to the cost.

Brian Boudreau, Malibu Valley Inn and Spa developer, worries that the delays caused by the ballot measure will drive up the cost of his project.

“I’ve spent over $1.5 million (on the inn and spa project) and there’s an estimated half a million dollars to finish it,” Boudreau said. “The bottom line is, the fair thing to me is, give me my process and not put me in a position to where I have to defend a tremendous amount of mail from forces outside of the city that really are not obligated in any way to be truthful about what the project is.”

Boudreau had planned to open the inn and spa two years ago.

If the development becomes part of Calabasas, it would give the city about $1.4 million a year in revenue, figures show. The city already has lost about $3 million by delaying the project, one area resident said.

Opponents believe the inn and spa would be too intense for the area and worry about the urbanization of open space. They list excessive lighting, traffic, grading and reduced wildlife habitat as their major concerns.

According to plans, the inn and spa would require the removal of 350,000 cubic yards of dirt. By comparison, the housing development would displace 3.5 million cubic yards of dirt.

Proponents prefer the inn and spa to the residential development that has already been approved for the location.

Calabasas resident Mary Hubbard, who opposes the project and the ballot measure, said at last week’s city council meeting that the horse facilities currently operating at the site don’t have a necessary coastal development permit.

According to the Coastal Commission, the equestrian permit is pending.

Many residents agree that there’s a need for more equestrian facilities in the area.

Calabasas Senior Planner Geoffrey Starns expects the final environmental report to go before the Calabasas Planning Commission and the Calabasas City Council sometime in August. An oak tree report is expected to go before the environmental commission on Tues., Aug. 2, Starns said.

Boudreau will discuss his project during a Calabasas Chamber of Commerce luncheon between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. today at the Calabasas Inn.

A draft environmental plan for the Boudreau project is available for public review at Calabasas City Hall, 26135 Mureau Road, at the Calabasas Library at 23975 Park Sorrento, and online at www.malibuvalleyinnandspa.com.