TOPANGA : Residents Back Trail Maintenance

Residents within a five-mile radius of the proposed Canyon Oaks Estates chose to spend $500,000 offered by the developer to build and maintain trails and parks in the Topanga Canyon region, it was announced Thursday.

The grant money, which hinges on approval of the controversial plan to build 97 residences and a golf course on 257 acres near the ridge of Topanga Canyon, would be invested, with the profits used on upkeep of about 15 miles of trails and some park acreage on and adjacent to the property. Some profits would be used for nature programs at Topanga-area schools.

Residents within a five-mile radius of the Canyon Oaks site chose the trails project over proposals to build a community center with a swimming pool or a performing arts and cultural center.

In what was widely considered public relations strategy as the proposed development headed toward what could be the final stretch of a 15-year approval process, the developer mailed nearly 14,000 ballots on the issue, about 5% of which were returned to an independent accounting firm. Canyon Oaks officials announced the winner Thursday morning at Pacific Lodge Boys Home in Woodland Hills.

The Canyon Oaks project, which has been proposed since 1978, comes up for a key hearing before the Regional Planning Commission Sept. 15.

Many opponents of Canyon Oaks contend the project would increase the risk of flooding and destroy areas inhabited by threatened animal and plant species.