Building Plans Near Bluffs Park Could Add Ball Field

• Developer Offers a New Diamond and Other Amenities to Get OK for Five Homes

BY BILL KOENEKER

Building plans and a potential development agreement for the so-called Crummer property located adjacent to the Bluffs Park are expected to be revealed by the city attorney at the Malibu City Council meeting next week.

The 24-acre property, once owned by the Crummer family and currently owned by AZ Winter Mesa LLC headed up by Richard Ackerman, has long been coveted by city officials to increase the size of the playing fields and improve the parking at the park.

In a somewhat unusual preview, City Attorney Christi Hogin has agreed to approach the council with the new owner’s plans, which include what Hogin is calling a “generous gift concurrent with development plans.”

The owner wants to build five single-family homes on lots varying in size from 2.5 acres to 3.75 acres. The residences would range from 9500 square feet to 11,000 square feet.

At the same time the owner is developing the homes, he would build a Pony League baseball field, create two separate areas for public use which could be used as picnic areas, tot lot and/or a dog park at the city’s option and expand the current Bluffs Park parking lot by adding about 35 additional spaces.

Malibu Mesa Estates would be extensively landscaped for privacy and to also blend into a park-like setting, according to Hogin. The plan includes landscaping to separate residential portions of the property from the public areas. The residential area would be gated.

The city attorney, in a memo to council members, acknowledges the unusual action of bringing the matter before them prior to a completed application.

“I want to bring this proposal to the city council’s attention because the owner is offering a generous gift concurrent with its development plans and as part of its planned development program. This aspect of the project falls squarely within the purview of the city council,” she wrote.

The city attorney makes it clear that Monday night’s presentation is an opportunity for the city council to consider whether a majority of members are at all interested in the proposal.

“You are not being asked to evaluate the specific development proposal. The city has not yet received a complete application and the city has not had the opportunity to evaluate any potential adverse environmental impacts. Before committing the substantial resources required, the owner has asked whether the concept is of interest to the city,” she added.

Hogin also revealed the same owner has purchased the property adjacent to the Crummer property known as the Cataldo property. That property is not part of the discussion and the city attorney indicated the owner is applying for permits to develop that property consistent with the current zoning.

Richard Volpert, who often represents media mogul Jerry Perenchio and community relations consultant Richard Lichtenstein of Marathon Communications are representing the owner, according to Hogin, who said Perenchio has no involvement in the matter. “I think Ackerman is using the best people in the business.”