Landslide-Plagued Residents Jolted

Big Rock Mesa residents, who have spent the past five years battling Los Angeles County over damage to their landslide-plagued homes, were stunned this week by the county’s announcement that it plans to triple the Malibu homeowners’ tax assessment for an elaborate water drainage system designed to prevent another slide.

Roger Burger, deputy director of public works, said the county plans within 60 days to present supervisors a $13-million improvement package that could cost Big Rock Mesa homeowners nearly $100,000 each over the next 20 years.

The announcement infuriated the residents, who would still have to pay more than a $10,000 levy for a planned Malibu sewer system approved by supervisors early this year. County officials insist that it is needed along with the drainage system to remove water from the hillside area above Pacific Coast Highway.