Controversies Surrounding Trancas Canyon Park Continue Unabatedly

• Consultant Wants $100,000 More for Less Popular Plan

BY BILL KOENEKER

Despite the Malibu City Council approving weeks ago what they consider the final design for Trancas Canyon Park, the controversy about the proposed neighborhood park has not died down.
Last week, activists positioned themselves outside of the Point Dume Village market to compare the council’s approved plan to a version designed by local architect Ron Goldman, and generally referred to as the Goldman plan, that is favored by many of the activists.
Some of those same activists have also started a website to keep the issue alive.
A group calling itself the Centrist Homeowners of Malibu are posting information on a website called TrancasPark.org, which is a five-page site showing the different plans, the Goldman plan and the proposal approved by the city council. There is also a fact sheet on one of the pages, which is characterized as “misstatements” by the proponents of the official city-sactioned park project, and a contact page. There is also the option for readers to contact the site owners by email. Next week, the council is poised to approve more money for the consulting firm for design work.
The planning consultant firm undertaking the designs and engineering of Trancas Canyon Park is seeking another nearly $100,000 to complete the design modifications sought and approved by the city council in May for the controversial neighborhood park.
During that meeting, the council approved design modifications based on what they perceived as wanted or sought by the majority of individuals at a community workshop held the previous month.
The staff was directed to incorporate the recommendations, including reductions in the number and or size of the tot lot, playground, dog park, group picnic areas, shade structures, picnic table benches, on-site parking stalls, graded areas and the elimination of the basketball half-court.
“To re-design the park additional tasks were added to the scope of work in order to complete the revised plan. Amendment No. 2 provides funding for additional work for revised construction documents, retaining wall design, grading plan review and restoration planning,” wrote Parks and Recreation Director Bob Stallings, in a memo to the council.
The planning firm, RBF Consulting, was initially paid $235,000 in 2007 to develop site concept plans, prepare development plans, final construction drawings and specifications, acquire permits, meet with staff and stakeholders, perform topographic work, geology, hydrology and utility investigation, according to a city staff report.
In 2008, the council amended the scope of work by approving an additional $72,500 for further investigations, including percolation testing for the proposed restroom, additional surveying and legal description work for a recently acquired property, and expanded geotechnical investigation for Environmental Impact Report requirements, according to the municipal report.
In April 2009, following the completion of additional tasks, RBF submitted final design plans for the city to review, according to Stallings.