Coastal Commission staff recommends denial of Edge development

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Finds part of applications suspect.

By Knowles Adkisson / The Malibu Times

California Coastal Commission staff has recommended that the commission deny applications by David Evans, better known as The Edge from the rock band U2, to build five large residences overlooking Serra Canyon. The CCC will vote on the application at its Feb. 10 meeting in Chula Vista.

The Coastal staff report released on Jan. 28 found that the residences, which would range from 7,000 to 12,000 square feet in size on five separate parcels, “would not serve to protect public views, minimize landform alteration, or ensure compatibility with the character of the surrounding area.” The report also said the development would disrupt “native vegetation that constitutes an environmentally sensitive habitat area.”

The report also cited “suspect management modifications.” Evans, who is from Ireland, bought the five parcels in 2007 and told a Coastal commissioner in 2009 that he intended to build the five houses and pick his neighbors. But each of the five applications was submitted to the commission by a different company, only one of which is owned by Evans, giving the appearance that the companies are separate applicants. Three of the five companies have principals that are Irish citizens with ties to Evans, and the principal of the fourth is James Vanden Berg, the project manager for each of the properties.

The report concluded that although separate applications were made to develop the property, Evans was “apparently in total control of the project.”

The proposed development encompasses a 3,000-foot swath of prominent ridgeline and is visible from several points along Pacific Coast Highway, including Malibu Bluffs Park, the Civic Center and Colony Plaza areas, and Malibu Pier.

A 7,600-foot access road proposed by Evans is situated within the City of Malibu and must be approved by the Malibu City Council. The council postponed a ruling on the road in 2009 until after the Coastal Commission makes its decision.

The project has drawn the ire of environmentalists because of the scope of grading the development would require. Evans dedicated a Web site solely for the purpose of how the development is environmentally friendly.