Calabasas year in review





ALL THINGS PUMPKIN—Nothing says Calabasas like the city’s annual Pumpkin Festival. This year’s event attracted visitors from near and far.

ALL THINGS PUMPKIN—Nothing says Calabasas like the city’s annual Pumpkin Festival. This year’s event attracted visitors from near and far.

Politics, environmental activism and community involvement dominated the agenda for 2012 in the City of Calabasas.

The year began with 22 candidates hoping to fill a Calabasas City Council seat vacated by Jonathan Wolfson, who moved to Bell Canyon.

Attorney David Shapiro, who was appointed to fill the interim position, is now running for a fouryear term in the 2013 municipal elections along with incumbents Mary Sue Maurer, James Bozajian and two challengers.

On New Year’s Day the city began the second phase of a local law banning the distribution of free plastic bags. The law went into effect for large stores in 2011 to reduce litter and protect the environment. Smaller stores had until Jan. 1, 2012, to comply.

In February, the City Council overturned a controversial septic tank inspection law that was accused of creating stress and hardship for some homeowners in the rural parts of town. The city passed the ordinance in 2009 requiring property owners who have on-site wastewater treatment systems to obtain operating permits to ensure their septic tanks are working properly.

March brought good news for senior citizens in Calabasas who, along with officials, celebrated the grand opening of Canyon Creek Apartments, the first affordable housing project in the city dedicated to low-income individuals 62 and older.

The following month, the city approved the construction of a new luxury senior apartment and condo complex for a 2.7-acre parcel at 26705 Malibu Hills Road. The development is now under construction.

After more than a year of studies, the Calabasas Communications and Technology Commission adopted a new ordinance governing the placement of wireless communication facilities in the city. The council approved the revised regulations, but not without opposition from some constituents who thought the new ordinance governing the placement of cell towers in Calabasas had too many loopholes.

In June, local, state and federal officials celebrated the grand opening of the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch near Calabasas. Local park agencies and organizations pooled resources and bought the 588-acre former Soka University campus for $35 million in 2005. It was converted into a public park that includes hiking trails and grassy picnic areas.

In July, the Calabasas community mourned the loss of Gary Klein, vice chair of the planning commission and former Calabasas Citizen of the Year who played an influential role in the shaping of the city. Klein died at the hospital on July 31, three days after he was involved in a traffic accident.

City leaders and Calabasas Village Mobile Estates stakeholders began a long-awaited landscaping improvement project in August. The $250,000 enhancements funded by Calabasas Crest Ltd., owner of the mobile home park, upgraded 2,400 feet of public property fronting the mobile home park on Mulholland Highway.

A collaborative effort between the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and the city and residents produced a new comfort room at the Lost Hills station over the summer. The room allows victims of crimes and children waiting for protective custody to feel more at ease while they talk with authorities.

In October, the planning commission approved a new multifamily housing development for a vacant parcel on Las Virgenes Road. Construction of the Entrada at Malibu Canyon townhomes is expected to start in the spring.

Also in October, community activist Jody Thomas introduced two initiatives designed to give voters in Calabasas full control over who serves on the City Council and for how long. A rightto vote measure would require vacancies on the council to be filled by a special election, not by appointment. A term limits measure would prevent City Council members from serving more than two consecutive terms.

In response to appeals from local senior citizens, officials agreed to start design plans for a new community center for the benefit of residents 50 and over. The city will work with a task force and seniors to move the project forward in 2013.


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