New housing planned for west Calabasas





The Calabasas Planning Commission is considering a new multifamily project slated for a vacant parcel on Las Virgenes Road.

The proposed Entrada at Malibu Canyon townhomes would consist of 78 units in 12 two-story buildings nestled between the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District offices and the Colony at Calabasas homes.

The development would occupy 5 acres of a 21-acre parcel. Except for drainage improvements on the slopes, 16 acres will remain open space.

According to city planner Geoffrey Starns, the city hosted 23 public meetings about the proposed development at 4240 Las Virgenes Road.

In 2007, the City Council approved an 86-unit multifamily condo complex for the site, but that project was stalled due to the economic downturn.

In response to community concerns, the new landowner, Calabasas Blue LLC., reduced the density of the development.

Four of the 78 townhomes would be set aside for very lowincome homebuyers.

The homes will feature Spanish architecture with gabled roofs and balconies, and parking will be under the structures so it will not be visible from Las Virgenes Road.

Deidre Waitt, president of Calabasas Blue, also known as Blue Marble Development Co., said she worked with the city and neighboring residents to change the design and address construction and traffic issues.

“We received overwhelming support. It’s much better for the scenic corridor,” said Waitt, a Calabasas resident.

In addition to reducing the size of retaining walls by half, the revised project will require less grading.

“It’s smaller and less impactful, and we think it will be a really great place for the residents to live,” Waitt said, adding that the development will feature 17,000 square feet of space for common areas for a pool and spa, and other community amenities.

Commissioner David Brown had concerns about traffic congestion on Las Virgenes Road. He said the city should consider installing a traffic signal at the entrance of the community to prevent accidents.

Lynn Tracy, a board member for the neighboring Stonecreek community, said Waitt has gone out of her way to communicate with neighbors.

“We’d love to keep the property pristine . . . but this is a good modification. She has listened to what we had to say,” Tracy said.

The project is one of two large housing developments currently in the pipeline for the Las Virgenes Road corridor. The Messenger Investment Co., which owns the 77-acre parcel between the Mobil station and the Colony at Calabasas, is also contemplating options to develop its property.

Environmental and planning documents for Entrada at Malibu Canyon are available for public review on the city’s website, www.cityofcalabasas.com.

The commission will consider the townhome project again in more detail at its next meeting in October.



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