Old Topanga homeowners oppose sewer installation

Homeowners in Old Topanga say they are worried that the city of Calabasas might be installing a sewer system in their neighborhood. They fear the sewers will spur unwanted development.

"Sewers mean growth- quick growth," said Toby Keeler, Old Topanga spokesperson. "Then we are going to have contamination of another sort. There will be traffic contamination and runoff contamination from fertilized yards."

According to a statement from the local homeowners association, many undeveloped lots in Old Topanga can't be built upon because they don't meet the requirements for septic tanks. If sewers were installed, dozens of small, cabin-sized lots might be available for development.

The community in question lies inside the Calabasas city limits.

In March, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board notified the cities of Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village that they are in violation of California clean water laws because of high bacteria levels in the Santa Monica Bay.

The Calabasas City Council pointed out that a new Topanga sewer system would help alleviate the bacteria problem. The Topanga homeowners responded by saying that the polluted runoff from their yards, streets and neighborhoods goes into the Los Angeles River, not Malibu Creek. The notice of violation from the water board applies only to Malibu Creek.

Councilmember James Bozajian questioned the need for the sewers.

"This is the first time I've been up here where we're voting for some kind of public works improvement, but no one in the community's asked for it," Bozajian said.

But Councilmember Barry Groveman said the need goes beyond what the homeowners want.

"This is good environmental policy- it doesn't need anybody to ask for it," Groveman said. "And we have a (notice of violation), and its suggesting it strongly."

Calabasas Public Works Director Robert Yalda said the city has hired two firms to prepare a preliminary study on the sewer installation.

"Contamination is just one of the reasons we are monitoring septic systems," Yalda said.

"We are looking at the planning stages, the feasibility and the environmental impact," Yalda said. "I hope that by the end of the year I'll have something ready for the council to look at again."

According to the homeowners, the Calabasas General Plan advises that any new development in rural communities such as Old Topanga and Monte Nido should "fit in with, rather than replace, the area's existing natural environment."

Residents Carolyn and Edward Rich are among the residents protesting the sewers.

"The impact of sewer installation would be great and severe, primarily because of the very predictable, foreseeable, massive home building that would follow," the couple said in a statement. "With protection of our environment a serious priority for everyone, installation of sewer systems would be a sad and tragic step backward."

Homeowner association member Mireille Neumann agreed.

"It's not that I have an objection with sewers, per say, but the implications sewers bring," Neumann sad. "It's not the sewer issue, but the growth ramifications of sewers."

The homeowners prefer septic tanks over sewers and say that when properly monitored and maintained, the tanks can work well for decades.

"As of now there is no permitting and no inspecting," Yalda said. "We just trust the homeowners that everything is okay. The City Council decided to create a program that will help us monitor the septic tanks operation. If there are any problems, then hopefully we can resolve it. After the first failure, they'll need to hook up to a sewer if there is one."

Neumann said she thinks the city should implement the septic tank monitoring program before it advocates sewers.

"The thought of sewers should be a secondary issue," Neumann said. "If everything's functioning properly, then why should we bring in the sewers?"

"When this city was founded, they said we were unique, that our rural character was unique," Keeler said. "This is a total breach of public trust, period."