CALABASAS : Hearing Today on Ahmanson Ranch

In an unusual move for a city not involved with a project approval, the city of Calabasas will hold a public hearing today on the giant Ahmanson Ranch housing project proposed for the hills of eastern Ventura County.

City officials will accept comments on the environmental impact of the development, which calls for the construction of 3,050 houses and apartments and 400,000 square feet of commercial space.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the project before the end of the year. Officials from Calabasas and other communities that ring the project have said they do not think Ventura County officials are paying attention to their concerns.

Since most of the project’s adverse effects--such as increased traffic--will be felt most sharply by Los Angeles County residents, Calabasas officials wanted to make sure their community’s concerns are addressed.

Testimony taken at today’s hearing will be presented to Ventura County officials at a hearing on the project Oct. 21. For its part, Calabasas has hired a consultant to go over the project’s environmental impact report in search of flaws.

The hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Calabasas City Hall, 26135 Mureau Road.