GORMAN, MALIBOU LAKE : Board Delays Votes on 2 Key Proposals

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors postponed action Thursday on two controversial development proposals--a 90-store factory outlet center near Gorman and tighter building restrictions for the Malibou Lake community west of Calabasas--after hearing public testimony on each.

Chairman Ed Edelman said further statements by both sides of the factory outlet issue can be submitted in writing to the board until 5 p.m. today. He directed the board’s staff to evaluate all statements and report to the board before its Feb. 11 meeting, when the project will be considered again.

Edelman also asked for reports on a proposed community standards district for Malibou Lake, describing the issue as “a difficult problem that we’ll try to make as acceptable as possible.” The board will review the proposal Jan. 28.

The center proposed by Washington-based McArthur/Glen Group and Quail Lake Associates would include a shopping mall, 80-room motel, five restaurants, two gas stations and convenience market on 86 acres at the Golden State Freeway and California 138.

Representatives of the Sierra Club and other environmental groups opposed the project, saying it would increase traffic and air pollution and endanger an area known for wildflowers and a condor recovery program.

At stake in the Malibou Lake community are county-proposed building requirements aimed at easing fire danger by controlling growth.

Some owners of vacant land in the area testified Thursday that the purported danger is overstated. But homeowners testified that the proposed restrictions do not go far enough.