Ventura County Action Enables Opening of County Line Fire Station

• Improved Communications Is Goal of State-of-the-Art System

BY ANNE SOBLE

A decision by Ventura County Planning Director Kimberly Rodriguez to approve its state-of-the-art radio communications setup paves the way for the staffing of the new Fire Station 56 at western Malibu’s flank in the sliver of the 90265 zip code under Ventura jurisdiction.
Kristina Roodsari, the Ventura County planner on the project told the Malibu Surfside News, “The Local Coastal Appeal period ended on Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. No one appealed the planning division’s decision of Aug. 14. Therefore, a Notice of Final Decision approving the project was filed with the Coastal Commission on Aug. 26.”
The still-to-be scheduled opening of Ventura County Fire Station 56 on Pacific Coast Highway is viewed as good news by many Los Angeles County Malibuites who vividly remember wildfires over the years that headed south and southeast from Ventura County to threaten their homes.
Despite earlier contentious hearings over possible view impacts, expert technical testimony said Rodriguez’s decision to approve construction of a 55-foot monopole tower with a 20-foot whip antenna and four eight-foot whips at the sides will greatly improve communications along the coast from Pt. Mugu.
The Ventura planning director’s ruling calls for replacement of the equipment as communications technology advances to further reduce its visibility along the scenic stretch of coast at County Line.
Paul Bell of the Ventura County Fire Department said the opening date for the station is contingent on noticing for the tower project, its construction, and completion of the work.