45-Day Building Moratorium OKd for Malibou Lake Area

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Thursday to impose a 45-day building moratorium in the rustic Malibou Lake area of the Santa Monica Mountains after opponents of a proposed housing development there raised concerns about fire safety in the isolated, brush-filled community.

The supervisors sent plans for the project back to the county Planning Commission for further study.

Opponents of Jack Slome’s plan to build 15 houses and an equestrian center on a 4.6-acre parcel have repeatedly voiced fears that in an emergency county firefighters would have a difficult time reaching the area, accessible by a single, narrow road.

They reiterated those concerns at the meeting Thursday following a request by Slome that supervisors approve a scaled-down version of his project after months of delays. The revised plan calls for 10 houses and leaving vacant land for a park.

But Supervisor Ed Edelman, who represents the area, said officials should not allow any new development until environmental and safety issues are resolved.

He called for the building moratorium to give the county fire department time to complete a study of alternative access routes that could be developed to reach the enclave south of Agoura Hills.

He also said that county planners should create a comprehensive plan for growth for the community after considering all environmental problems, including the drought.

“It’s time that we stand back and take a look at the whole area up there and what’s appropriate for everyone,” he said. “This area has fire problems and access problems and we ought not to be allowing any kind of development on the individual lots until we have a plan.”

The building moratorium ordinance will be drafted by county lawyers and presented to the supervisors for a final vote Tuesday. If approved by four of the supervisors, it would take effect immediately.

Supervisor Pete Schabarum, however, opposed the moratorium, saying that supervisors have already delayed acting on Slome’s proposal six times. “Your motion plays right into the hands of the homeowners, who like it just as it is and are not motivated one whit to mess with the status quo,” he said.

But Edelman said that after environmental issues are resolved “everybody can develop their properties.”