Earthmoving, Condos OKd in Calabasas

A controversial proposal to remove thousands of cubic yards of earth from a Calabasas hillside and build 102 condominiums was approved Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.

The housing development on Mulholland Highway at Old Topanga Canyon Road was fought by several area residents who argued that the proposed grading of hillsides and filling of three small canyons would drastically alter the natural beauty of the area.

In asking approval for the project, Supervisor Mike Antonovich said the county will take steps to minimize the impact on the environment and on groves of oak trees threatened by the plan.

Project Scaled Down

The developers originally proposed a project of about 15 acres with 118 units but scaled it down to about 13 acres with 102 units after residents complained to the Regional Planning Commission, county officials said.

After a series of five public hearings the planning commission declared in a report that the project would “unavoidably change the use and appearance of the project site, producing significant scenic and topographical changes” and that it would destroy most of the oak trees in the area.

The commission approved the project, however, saying that extensive landscaping proposed by the developer would eventually enhance the “overall visual quality” along the highway.

Highway to Be Widened

Mulholland Highway will be widened to 100 feet to accommodate increased traffic in the area and to reduce traffic hazards, officials said. The widening will require the removal of about 350,000 cubic yards of earth. Grading of the hillside will require removal of another 100,000 cubic yards of earth, officials said.

The property, directly across the highway from Calabasas High School, is surrounded by residential tracts and vacant parcels where housing developments have recently been approved, county officials said.