Commissioners Delay Hearing on New Malibu Road Home

The Malibu Planning Commission put off a public hearing until January on a planned new two-story home on Malibu Road near the popular surfing spot known as the Colony.

Commissioners voted to delay the hearing for a coastal development permit and variance for the proposed 4,277-square-foot home at 24024 Malibu Road until its Jan. 7 meeting at Malibu City Hall.

The plans call for a two-car garage, concrete bulkhead, staircase to the beach, swimming pool and spa, view corridors and the installation of an alternative onsite wastewater treatment system, according to city documents.

The property, which is currently vacant and only houses a fence, guardrail and concrete retaining wall, is owned by Ardie and Tania Tavangarian.

A petition started by Malibu resident Oliver Damavandi in opposition to the plans has garnered 65 votes as of Monday night. Neighbors are concerned that the proposed two-story home may compromise the stability of the slope and disrupt their views.

Surfers fear the home will block a public viewing area and access area to the popular surf spot known as the Colony. The property is within feet of public access way that is recorded with the State Coastal Conservancy.

City staff wrote in a Commission Agenda Report prepared on Nov. 21 that the home would not have a significant impact on the view of neighbors and public areas of the beach and Malibu Road.

The project requires one variance because of the steepness of the slope leading from Malibu Road to the beach. The slope was made during the construction of Malibu Road, according to the report.

A retaining wall was constructed on the property by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works in 1987 in response to a landslide.

The Tavangarians have offered to dedicate a lateral public access along the shore, the report states.