Calabasas Seeks Deal to Soften the Effects if Ahmanson Plan OKd

The Calabasas City Council announced Saturday that negotiations are continuing with officials from the Ahmanson Land Co. on ways to minimize the negative impacts of a proposed giant housing project should it be approved Tuesday by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

Calabasas Mayor Bob Hill said he and the council supported Friday’s decision by the Ventura County Planning Commission, which urged supervisors to reject the proposed $1-billion Ahmanson Ranch housing project, an upscale mini-city composed of 3,050 dwellings on 2,800 acres in the Simi Hills, northwest of Calabasas.

Ventura County supervisors, who have the final say on the matter, are scheduled to take up the issue at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

City officials and Ahmanson representatives have discussed design changes that could reduce the project’s size, control traffic flow, improve air quality and address other environmental concerns. The two sides are also discussing who would pay for such measures, Hill said.

Hill and other council members declined to discuss whether any agreements had been made Saturday, but Hill said if some are reached by Tuesday they will be presented to the supervisors at their meeting.

Many Los Angeles County residents have opposed the proposed 8,600-resident community, expressing concern that their communities will bear the brunt of the project’s traffic and smog.

The Calabasas council is reviewing several options--including legal action--if it is unable to reach an agreement with Ahmanson officials over the project.

Already, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus has threatened litigation to block the development because a main road into it runs through her district.

The housing project would also include a 300-room hotel, two professional-quality golf courses and a town center of dozens of shops and government buildings.

The Calabasas City Council is scheduled to reconvene Monday at 7:30 p.m. in closed session to ponder its options.