A judge ruled against the Trancas Property Owners Association in its suit against the city over its settlement with developer Trancas PCH.
Last May, the city reached an agreement with Trancas PCH to allow it to build 32 town homes on 8.5 acres of a 35-acre property, with four of the homes being designated for low-to-moderate-income housing. In addition, the remaining portion of the land would be used for recreation or open space. Shortly after the settlement, the Trancas Property Owners Association sued the
city, alleging the proposed development in the settlement violated the California Environmental Quality Act among other things. Also, a Brown Act violation was alleged. The court ruled in favor of the city on all counts.
“It was a complete victory for the city on the settlement agreement,” City Attorney Christi Hogin said.
Mayor Ken Kearsley said he was especially pleased because the settlement created affordable housing. He said he wants Malibu to be a place where people of all economic statuses could live.
Marshall Grossman of the Trancas Property Owners Association said the organization plans to appeal the decision. “The city cut a backdoor deal with this developer, giving much greater development than that which is permitted, without regard for
our environmental concerns,” Grossman said.
Grossman said the association will also be filing a suit against the city in the near future for what he said is its lack of good planning in the Trancas area in what he referred to as “piecemeal development and spot zoning.” He said the city’s actions have threatened the area’s water table and created other environmental problems.