Planning Commission hears Trancas PCH development
The Planning Commission on Tuesday reviewed developer Trancas PCH’s application to amend the Local Coastal Program Land Use Map and Zoning Map designations for its 35.19-acre parcel located at 6155 Trancas Canyon Road. Planning staff had recommended approval of the amendment and the zoning changes.
Trancas PCH filed the application in July 2008 to amend the zoning from rural residential to public open space and multifamily residential.
The developer’s attempt to build on its property has been a long and controversial saga since 1985 and has been in the courts system since the early 1990s, with the City Council and Trancas PCH filing lawsuits against each other over the proposed development.
In October last year, a three-judge appellate panel reversed a 2007 decision by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge that Trancas PCH can no longer sue the city regarding a project. The jurists also ruled that the city has the “ministerial duty” to approve developer Trancas PCH’s map application for the building of 52 town homes and 15 houses on the 35-acre property located on Pacific Coast Highway, just west of Trancas Canyon Road.
The Trancas Property Homeowner’s Association has also in the past filed suits against the developers. It filed a lawsuit in 2003 after the city and Trancas PCH reached a deal where the developer would be allowed to build 32 town homes and donate a portion of the property to the city for ball fields.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled against the property owners in 2004.
But a Court of Appeal overturned the decision in 2005, citing, among other things, that the City Council had violated the state’s open-meeting law (the Brown Act) in reaching the deal. The next year, the same court affirmed its decision.
A community meeting was scheduled for Monday at the home of local resident Carol Bird to discuss the Trancas PCH zoning hearing, among other issues, but was cancelled.
Look online for the story later this week on the Planning Commission’s decision at www.malibutimes.com.
Septic regulations workshop takes place next week
A public workshop regarding proposed statewide regulations for septic systems will take place Jan. 15 at Malibu High School.
The proposed regulations include: definitions, applicability of the regulations, and general requirements; groundwater level determinations for new onsite wastewater treatment systems (septic systems); requirements for supplemental treatment and OWTS dispersal; and requirements for protecting impaired surface waters.
Also to be discussed are statewide waiver of waste discharge requirements for discharges from OWTS, and a draft environmental impact report for the regulations and waiver.
The workshop begins at 7 p.m. Oral comments are welcomed at the meeting, however, time may be limited depending on the number of speakers and presentations. Written comments can also be submitted at the meeting or by Feb. 9 to Mr. Todd Thompson, P.E. , Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, 1001 I St., P.O. Box 2231, Sacramento, CA 9581; Fax: 916.341-5463; email: AB885@waterboards.ca.gov
More information can be obtained by calling Thompson at 916.341.5518 or by emailing him at the above address.
PCH lane closure scheduled
The California Department of Transportation will close one northbound lane of Pacific Coast Highway between Tuna Canyon Road and Las Flores Canyon Road, daily, from Jan. 5 through Jan. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The closure is subject to change. Caltrans has issued an encroachment permit for this work.
Hilton’s Malibu home invaded
Philanthropist and hotel heir Steven Hilton confronted two intruders in his Malibu Hills home on Dec. 23 just days after his celebrity niece, Paris Hilton, was burglarized.
The apparent robbery attempt was reported in an emergency 911 call placed by Steven Hilton on Monday, according to Sgt. Janice Benning of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“Two people entered his home” but Hilton escaped from the intruders, she said. “He got away and he called 911, and while he was calling 911, they got away.”
Benning added that detectives were still investigating the incident.
“They didn’t take anything,” she said.
Benning said she did not know whether detectives suspected any connection between Monday’s incident at Steven Hilton’s home and the burglary of the Los Angeles mansion of his niece, celebrity socialite Paris Hilton.
Malibu Chamber readies for 2009 installation dinner
The Malibu Chamber of Commerce will showcase the benefits of Malibu and service to the community at its 62nd Board Installation and Member Appreciation Dinner on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m., which will have the theme of “Malibu … a Valuable Destination.”
Heidi Bernard, director of Crest Associates at Pepperdine University, will be installed as the 2009 president, along with service minded community members that make up the Board of Directors. Several chamber members will be recognized as outstanding supporters, including John Johannessen-Johannessen Construction, Chamber Member of the Year; Michael Koss, Malibu Country Mart, Chamber Champion; Alan Goldschneider, Malibu Beach Inn, Chamber Champion; and Vic Peterson, City of Malibu-Special Recognition.
As a serving member of the Board of Directors for the Malibu Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, Bernard has overseen the transformation of the office, showcasing Malibu as a world-class destination in 2008, helping to bring the highest levels of service to the businesses, residents and thousands of visitors who come to Malibu.
The dinner will take place at the Beachcomber Café on the Malibu Pier. More information can be obtained by calling 310.456.9025.
By Olivia Damavandi