Calabasas reviews housing project

An affordable housing community for seniors could be in Calabasas' future. The City Council recently heard a builder's presentation about a 90-unit complex planned for a one-acre parcel in Old Town.

Thomas Safran of Thomas Safran Associates described the mini-community he envisions on the property he recently purchased at 4830 El Canon Ave.

The complex would offer accommodations for seniors, especially low-income or disabled seniors, including a pathway along Calabasas Creek leading to shops in Old Town Village. Rents would be from $482 to $782 for a 660-square-foot, one-bedroom unit, and $576 to $888 for an 840-square-foot, two-bedroom unit. Age and income limits for residency have not yet been decided.

Representatives of the Old Town Coalition, dedicated to maintaining the Old Town ambience in new developments, were on hand to give their stamp of approval to the project.

Architect Stephen Giannetti, whose firm is designing the project, said he wanted to make sure the aesthetics of the plan were conducive to the Old Town feel.

"The idea was to sort of integrate it into the community," Giannetti said. "This building is really all about 'what do the sides look like,' 'what does the back look like,' 'how does it tie to the community.' 'How does it sort of integrate itself and improve the community experience for the people who are living there.'"

Councilmember Mary Sue Maurer said she was pleased to hear the coalition was behind the project.

"I have great respect for the members of the Old Town Coalition, and I think it says a lot that they are so supportive of this program," Maurer said.

Maurer asked if younger adults with disabilities could be considered under Safran's current plan. Maurer cited the recent opening of Brandon's Village, a park for children of varying abilities, but said Calabasas "doesn't really have anything for when they reach adulthood."

"We have experience with that, and it does work," Safran said of incorporating younger residents with seniors, with some separate areas. "That could be the program. We were suggesting just seniors . . . (because of) compatibility of neighbors, where they will have neighbors who won't blare their music and be any kind of nuisance in the community."

The developer also said he would be willing to give preference to current Calabasas residents. The council has previously discussed the fact that many city employees can't afford to live in the area.

"What we are comfortable doing, and this was a question asked, 'could we set aside a percentage of these units and give preference to people connected to the city of Calabasas?'" Safran said. "You have people who work in your community, who already live here, whose parents can't afford to live here . . . and how wonderful would it be to have them living nearby?"

Maurer questioned the legality of offering preference. "The issue is, you cannot discriminate in the way you do it," Safran said.

"You can give preferences and support for doing that, but just preferences, not restricting it. I would be comfortable with . . . having 50 percent from the outside and 50 percent connected to the community."

Questions were raised about parking, and Safran assured the council that 75 parking spaces-- 68 for residential use and seven for guests--would be adequate for the 90 units.

"Low-income seniors own few cars," Safran said, adding that 80 to 90 percent of residents in such complexes are females 72 to 74 years old.

Mayor Pro Tem James Bozajian said he had major concerns about plans for parking. "I don't know about 68 spaces in the 90 units," Bozajian said. "That may be fine if we have some kind of restrictions, but having only seven guest spaces, I think that's going to be a problem."

Bozajian also asked about parking space for employees, a need Safran dismissed as minimal. He said there will be an onsite manager and a maintenance person who comes by to take care of landscaping. Because the community is designed for independent living--not assisted--there would be no food preparers or other workers.

Bozajian requested traffic studies of the project's effect on the intersection of El Canon Avenue and Calabasas Road, already a problem spot.

Safran and Associates specializes in affordable housing and has built many developments, more than 3,000 units.

He said, "There's nothing like when you finish a project and you have your opening, and Mrs. Jones comes up and gives you a hug and cries and says how grateful and happy she is to have found this home. That's what feeds me, it feeds my soul."