Planning Panel Set to Hear Trancas Water Tank Project

BY BILL KOENEKER

The Malibu Planning Commission is expected to consider the proposed Trancas Highlands water system and utility improvements at its meeting on Sept. 20 in city council chambers.

The current plans call for a 500,000-gallon water storage tank constructed on a vacant lot at 31537 Anacapa View Drive, which is located in the northwest corner of the neighborhood, according to planning department documents.

At the same time, at a separate hearing, the council is expected to consider an application on the same property at 31537 Anacapa View Drive for the construction of a new, 12,731-square-foot, two-story single-family home with a 3,168 square foot basement and attached 640 square foot garage, a detached 470-square-foot guest house, a motor court with fire department turn around, swimming pool and a new  2250-square foot access road, according to a public notice.

The Trancas Highlands Homeowners Association proposes forming a special assessment district to fund the extension of a public water line from Trancas Canyon Park north along Trancas Canyon Road and within the gated private streets of Anacapa View Drive, Beach View Estates Drive and Foxview Drive. The assessment district would encompass about 66 parcels and 209 acres, according to municipal planners.

Water would be obtained from a booster pump station constructed at Trancas Canyon Park, near an existing Los Angeles County Water District No. 29 storage tank that would pump water up to the new tank.

Fire hydrants, two pressure reducing stations, valves and other appurtenances would be constructed along the public and private streets.

An additional "dry" trench is also proposed for undergrounding existing overhead electric lines and extension of utilities such as natural gas and cable.

All water and utility lines would be constructed in trenches within the pavement and disturbed areas of the existing street and utility easements, according to planners.

Where geologic hazards or other site-specific conditions dictate, some segments may require above ground construction and/or sitting outside existing easements.

Once underground utilities are installed, overhead lines and poles would be removed.

The property owner of 31537 Anacapa View Drive where the water tank would be located also proposes a new two-story, single-family home and a second new two-story residence on the adjacent vacant parcel to the north which is outside the City of Malibu limits, in unincorporated Los Angeles County subject to review by the county.

Access to the tank would be a new 2250-foot access road up to the building sites for the new water tank and the two new homes.

For any construction outside existing easements, applicants would obtain new easements and/or authorization from affected property owners prior to beginning work.

Many of the homes in the highlands do not have potable water.

Wells in the area have dried out—water must now be trucked in and stored in tanks.