Ahmanson Ranch Developer to Drop Suits Against Calabasas

The final two of 15 lawsuits spurred by the massive Ahmanson Ranch development have been settled, leaving only one hurdle for the community planned in eastern Ventura County.

The Ahmanson Land Co. has agreed to drop its suits against the city of Calabasas, city officials said Tuesday. But before construction can begin on the mini-city, the developer must still secure land owned by entertainer Bob Hope and set it aside as open space.

Negotiations are continuing for Hope’s property, which lies in both Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

The Ahmanson Ranch project south of the rolling Simi Hills would include more than 3,000 homes, 400,000 square feet of commercial space, a 300-room hotel and two golf courses. Set in Ventura County, the development would dump most of its traffic onto San Fernando Valley streets, particularly in Calabasas.

Ahmanson filed suits against Calabasas after the city adopted a General Plan that the developer said included policies intended to block the project and refused to permit an extension of Las Virgenes Road.

Mary Trigg, Ahmanson spokeswoman, said the company is “in the process of settling” with the city over the last two related lawsuits--against the Calabasas General Plan and damages related to the extension of Las Virgenes Road.

“The city of Calabasas was willing to work with us . . . [so] we really didn’t see a reason to continue with the lawsuit on their General Plan,” Trigg said. “We wanted to have a real feeling of cooperation with the city.”

In August 1996, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered the city to grant a permit to the developer but did not rule on the question of whether the city’s earlier action was intended to block the project, according to Katherine Stone, special counsel for Calabasas.

With several court rulings against the city, Calabasas abandoned its fight over Las Virgenes Road, which is expected to be a main artery to the Ahmanson development.

This summer, city officials agreed to accept $1.3 million from the developer to make improvements to city roads leading to the development. Calabasas officials said they made the agreement with the developer because the city wanted more local control over the road construction.

Ahmanson’s decision to drop the suits is expected to be announced at a Calabasas City Council meeting tonight.

“This is good,” Stone said. “It means the city’s General Plan is valid and that [Calabasas] doesn’t have any more lawsuits hanging over [its] head about this project.”