CALABASAS : Center for Both Old, Young Clears Hurdle

A proposal to build a center where senior citizens and preschoolers could mingle cleared a major hurdle this week when the Calabasas City Council approved a plan to deal with the project’s potential environmental impacts and safety hazards.

At its regular meeting Wednesday night, the council rejected a proposal by the Planning Commission to require further study of other possible uses for the 12-acre site at Dry Canyon, Cold Creek and Old Topanga Canyon roads, City Manager Charles Cate said. Several commissioners believed that the driveway design was inappropriate.

The Planning Commission, which has expressed support for the concept of the facility proposed by Calabasas resident Arnold Bresky, will consider final approval of the project Nov. 18, Cate said.

Bresky was elated.

“This is the highest and most noble use of my 12 acres,” Bresky said. “Our society is degenerating because we have lost the concept of extended family, where the young and the old spend time together and share values. But I believe the pendulum is about to swing back again.”

The project would include a 5,475-square-foot building with outdoor picnic and game areas and indoor arts and crafts space. It would provide day care for children and seek senior citizens to volunteer their time there, Bresky said.

If plans are approved quickly, the facility could open by the summer of 1994, he said.