Dozens of Groups and Conservancy Appeal Planning Panel’s Decision

• Lot Line Adjustment Turns into Trails Issue in Latigo

BY BILL KOENEKER

What appeared to be a routine lot line adjustment approved by Malibu’s planning commission recently for several lot line adjustments on four lots in Latigo Canyon has turned into a major appeal by a state agency and over a half dozen environmental and trails organizations. The city council is scheduled to hear the matter on January 8.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Malibu Trails Association, People for Parks, the Santa Mountains Task Force Sierra Club, the Malibu Coalition for Slow Growth, the Malibu Coastal Land Conservancy, the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council and local activist John Mazza want the city council to reconsider the application in light of a trail sought by the organizations in exchange for the city granting the lot line adjustment on four adjoining vacant parcels located at 5902-5908 Latigo Canyon Road.

The property was formerly owned by an entity called Primrose or Buckingham Properties, but was recently sold. The new owners are identified for each lot as Alison Properties, LLLP, Liffey Properties, LLLP, Cyan Properties, LLLP and Dunluce Properties, LLLP. The city was informed of the ownership change just last week.

Municipal officials insist a trail cannot be conditioned to the lot line adjustment and cannot be required of the applicant.

“There is no nexus to require the trail,” said the city’s planner Stefanie Edmondson, who indicated it would be up to the applicant to donate or make an offer to dedicate a trail.

While many appeals have been heard by the city council, this is believed to be the first time that so many organizations have joined together to try to force the city’s hand in an appellate case.