Homes at a standstill

Scenic corridor becomes an issue



Housing developer Standard Pacific Homes has been trying to build residential units on Las Virgenes Road just south of Agoura Road in Calabasas for over three years, but company officials say they still lack a specific plan.

One plan includes 40 marketrate, single-family homes on a site that features 11 acres of open space. But according to Standard Pacific project manager Jeff Malone, a separate plan calls for about 80 to 96 units of multifamily housing for seniors.

“We’re considering other options for the site,” Malone said. “We’re just no further than that at this point.”

The lack of progress at the site has raised the ire of area residents who said they are fed up with the ongoing construction delays and the landslides that have occurred on the steep hill separating the project from Las Virgenes Road.

If the project is built, critics also say it would increase traffic, endanger plant life, cause noise and lower property values.

“Although the property in question is located in one of the more scenic areas of the city, it is zoned for residential housing,” said James Bozajian, Calabasas City Councilmember. “So, despite the understandable opposition of nearby residents, there’s really very little the city council can do at this point to preserve the area from development.”

Bozajian said he has concerns about the landslides at the location. “The general area has already proven to be susceptible to sliding, as we witnessed during the extensive rainfall earlier this year when nearby hillsides failed,” Bozajian said. “It’s largely because of this slippage that I could not vote in favor of certifying the environmental impact report several months ago. In weighing whether to support development of a specific project there, I’ll carefully consider any potential for repeated occurrences of landslides.”

Bozajian also said he wants to make sure the developers will address all traffic problems.

“The project is located adjacent to the Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Scenic Corridor,” Bozajian said. “Therefore, any proposal must be sensitive to the fact that our city council has specifically selected the area surrounding the development for aesthetic protection.”

Calabasas Mayor Barry Groveman said he’s in favor of both affordable housing and senior housing projects in the city, but only if they’re feasible.

“We need to encourage more opportunities for seniors and more affordable (housing) opportunities for teachers and others who want to live in our community—it’s very important to have a balanced community,” Groveman said.

Meanwhile, Malone said he hopes to go before the city with new plans for the Las Virgenes Road homes before the end of the year.


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