PLANS FOR RESORT UNVEILED CALABASAS HOMEOWNERS VOICE CONCERNS.

Byline: Rachel Uranga Staff Writer

City officials unveiled plans Saturday for an upscale 203-unit equestrian resort near Malibu Creek State Park, replete with a winery, swimming pools and a series of interconnected trails.

Officials also discussed plans for a 49-home development north of the Ventura Freeway near Las Virgenes Road.

Both properties are located in unincorporated areas and would have to be annexed by the city of Calabasas from unincorporated Los Angeles County.

Nearly two dozen residents showed up at an afternoon hearing to glimpse the projects and voice concerns about increasing traffic to the disruption of wildlife.

``What we want to do is hold on to what is unique in our area. The open space that we have is irreplaceable,'' said Lori Fernand, who heads a task force monitoring the issue for the Las Virgenes Homeowners Federation, representing more than 20 Calabasas and Agoura Hills homeowners groups.

She echoed the concerns of many at the meeting who asked Mayor James Bozajin and Councilwoman Lesley Devine to ensure that environmental studies examine what more housing and traffic would mean to the wildlife corridor along Liberty Canyon Road.

Others criticized the size of the two development plans.

Samson Investment Co. seeks to build 49 homes in a gated community along 171 acres of undeveloped hilly land north of the Ventura Freeway.

Some residents worried that developers could be attempting to skirt county rules that only allow for 23 homes to be built in the area.

``I am afraid the north area plan will be circumvented for larger density housing,'' said Rudy C'Dealva, president of the Liberty Canyon Homeowners Association.

The north area plan, supported by several homeowners associations and passed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2000, sets restrictions on the number of homes that can be built.

The restrictions are more strict than those in Calabasas.

Peter Wenner, who directs real estate and acquisition for Samson, said he is open to hear criticism.

``This process is just beginning,'' he said ``We intend to minimize all the environmental impacts.''

Calabasas-based Malibu Canyon L.P. is seeking to build the equestrian resort on 70 acres at the intersection of Mulholland Highway and Las Virgenes Road at the edge of Malibu Creek State Park, inside the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Developers hope to host equestrian shows and events at the property, which would include suites and time share units, a restaurant, five single- family homes, an underground parking structure and parking for 655 vehicles.

``It is something that would be compatible with the national recreation area and offer an alternative to residential subdivisions that are so opposed by residents,'' said Stanley W. Lamport, an attorney for the developer.

The presentation marked the first time residents were able to view the two plans being proposed by local developers. Both still must undergo extensive environmental studies, commission hearings and ultimately annexation.

Rachel Uranga, [phone]

rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com