Plan to Build 765 Units in Calabasas OKd

The Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission on Monday gave a Calabasas developer the go-ahead to build a 765-unit apartment complex despite the objections of area homeowners.

Calabasas homeowners had fought for several months to block construction plans for the 56-acre apartment complex that they allege will destroy the rural atmosphere of their neighborhood made up mostly of single-family homes.

Special Instructions

But the planning commissioners voted 4-0 to approve builder Jack Bravo’s proposal after instructing him to use land on which he had planned to build 35 of the apartments as additional space for a playground at the canyon-bottom site at the north end of Las Virgenes Road.

Bravo had sought permission for 800 units.

Area homeowners argued that the proposed apartment building site is geologically unstable, prone to flooding and isolated from services and shopping centers. They had asked that Bravo be limited to 400 units.

Impressed by Plans

Commission members said they were impressed by Bravo’s plans for the apartment complex. They also noted the need for affordable rental units in the county.

The $60-million project will be financed through a Los Angeles County bond issue. In exchange for the financing, Bravo must reserve at least 160 of the units as “affordable” rentals, with one-bedroom units renting for $461 per month.

Leaders of homeowners groups said they would appeal the commission ruling to the county Board of Supervisors.