County Planning Board Approves Pepperdine Expansion

MALIBU — A Pepperdine University plan to build more campus housing and add to the school’s athletic complex was accepted by the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission last week.

The plan was approved 4 to 0 over the protests of the city of Malibu and a Malibu homeowners group. One commissioner was absent.

On the recommendation of county planners, the commission accepted the proposal, which calls for housing for 546 students, an annex to Firestone Fieldhouse, where the school’s basketball teams play, and parking for 268 vehicles.

University officials have repeatedly tried to assure fearful Malibu residents that its growth plans are modest and not intended to transform Malibu into a booming college town.

Jeff Bliss, a spokesman for the conservative Christian school, said the housing plans are designed to serve current rather than additional students at the Malibu campus.

More than 100 of the 1,640 students living on campus have to triple up in accommodations, he said. The plan will eliminate triple rooms and fill the need for more housing for juniors and seniors.

The project will go before the commission for a second reading on June 24 as part of the consent calendar. The applicant and others interested in the project will then be notified in writing of the decision and they will have 15 days to appeal it to the County Board of Supervisors.

“We’re probably going to appeal it to the Board of Supervisors,” said Harry Barovsky, a spokesman for the Malibu Road Property Owners Assn.

“We expected that the commission would approve it, and we expect to carry it on (to the supervisors),” said Barovsky, speaking for the 250-member group.

The ultimate decision will be in the hands of the supervisors, Barovsky said. “We hope for more public comment then.”

Bliss said Pepperdine officials were pleased with Wednesday’s decision and “we anticipate future dialogue with all the participants concerned.”

If the project is appealed, “we’ll be prepared for that event,” said Bliss. “We’ll try to be ready to answer questions.”

Bob Benard, Malibu city planner, said the two-page staff report presented to the commission Wednesday glossed over the environmental concerns raised in hundreds of pages of questions and comments during public hearings.

Opponents have charged that Pepperdine violated its 1985 agreement with the county, which requires the university to conduct an annual geologic review to ensure that water runoff from spray irrigation on the campus does not create landslide problems for the campus or nearby properties. The reviews must be submitted to and approved by the county.

In a May letter to Pepperdine, a top county official said that none of the reports Pepperdine has been required to submit since 1987 have been approved because the county has yet to receive replies to its request for additional information.

However, in recommending the project for approval, county staff noted in late May that Pepperdine had submitted the necessary information, which was being reviewed.

Benard said he would report on the commission’s decision to the Malibu City Council at Tuesday’s meeting. The city will then consider its options during the 15-day appeals period.