Agency OKs Calabasas Application for Cityhood

Calabasas inched closer to independence Wednesday when the Local Agency Formation Commission approved an application for cityhood by the affluent suburb at the western end of the San Fernando Valley.

But activists who have worked nearly a decade to incorporate their community reacted with restraint, noting they have failed twice in the past and still require approval from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and local voters.

Bob Hill, president of the Calabasas Cityhood Committee, noted that LAFCO, which oversees the creation of new cities, includes two county supervisors--Ed Edelman and Deane Dana--who joined in the unanimous vote for cityhood. The supervisor representing Calabasas, Michael Antonovich, also supports the cityhood drive, apparently guaranteeing three affirmative votes on the five-member county board, he said.