Calabasas condo complex okay
Development approved despite opposition
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

After hearing more than three hours of pleas from the public to deny the project, the Calabasas City Council disappointed residents last Wednesday by approving Standard Pacific Homes' 86-unit condominium complex at the 4200 block of Las Virgenes Road.

The 21-acre property lies between the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and the new Shea Homes development on the east side of the road.

A standing-room only crowd filled the council chambers and an adjacent room- the largest group to show up for a council hearing in the past year.

Barry Groveman, Dennis Washburn and Jonathon Wolfson voted to approve the project, while Mayor James Bozajian and Mayor Pro Tem Mary Sue Maurer voted against it.

As photo simulations of the condos were shown, residents verbally objected to the sight of the Montereystyle buildings superimposed over the rolling hills currently at the site.

Resident Donna Lane spoke on behalf of the Calabasas Westside Coalition, which represents homeowners associations and neighborhoods on the Westside.

"We're going to ask the council to ask for a final modification that will reduce the units and upgrade the project to luxury condominiums with more living space, no tandem parking and perhaps a private gated community," Lane said, "something that will enhance the entrance and make us proud."

Tammy Louis agreed and also called for a smaller, less dense blueprint.

"I don't think it's the right project for our community," Louis said. "It really is an eyesore. I don't believe it's in good taste. I think Standard Pacific could really do a better job in pleasing the community."

Resident Don Wallace called the project "hideous" and emphasized Las Virgenes Road's protected status.

"It's very designation as a scenic corridor is a policy statement that the scenic rural qualities are the top priority and should be protected," Wallace said.

After dozens of comments from locals slamming the project for being low-end, unappealing and unsuitable for a scenic corridor, some council members offered hope that the development would be denied.

Bozajian and Maurer said they weren't happy with the project.

"That," Bozajian said, pointing to photographs of the massive development, "does not belong in a scenic corridor."

Complicating the situation for the council was a permit streamlining law which requires that a decision be made within six months of when the permits were filed by the developer; in this case, the deadline is Aug. 25.

Also, because in the past the council blocked Standard Pacific Homes' plans for commercial and single-family projects, city attorney Michael Colantuono strongly recommended the council either approve the project or confirm an acceptable project. If the council denied the developer's plans again and the Aug. 25 deadline passed, the city would be at risk of being sued.

Bozajian took the side of many residents, recommending the developer go back to a singlefamily residence project. He suggested the city waive all expenses to resubmit the project as a trade-off for the extra time it would take or offered to have the council work overtime.

Maurer agreed.

"This project could be Anywhere, USA, but this is a scenic corridor," she said. "I have problems with it. I'd like to see (one of the three buildings) removed so the development doesn't push into the street. I'd like to see it opened up, with more space in between the other two buildings.

"I'm asking for a reduction of density so I can drive by and see the view."

The crowd applauded and friends hugged each other.

But after Councilmember Barry Groveman brushed off Maurer's suggestions as "a huge undertaking" and Councilmember Dennis Washburn offered further feedback, the crowd's mood turned tense again.

"We need housing," Washburn said. "And we need sensitive developers. Whether you like it or not, these folks have worked four or five years on this. . . . It's been exhaustive."

Groveman called for a vote despite attempts by Maurer and Bozajian to continue discussions. Councilmember Jonathon Wolfson sided with Washburn and Groveman and the project passed 3-2 with no conditions or amendments.