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Agoura Hills council highlights wildfire planning and reports on Malibu lawsuit against Conservancy
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Summary
Council member Sylvester summarized regional talks about a proposed Santa Monica Mountains wildfire mitigation authority funded by a 10¢/sq ft parcel tax (estimated $19.3M/year), while Council member Anderson reported the City of Malibu filed a suit seeking local ownership of certain trails; the conservancy defended public access.
Council member Sylvester told the Agoura Hills City Council on April 22 that regional leaders are exploring stronger wildfire mitigation coordination, including a proposed Santa Monica Mountains Regional Wildfire Mitigation Authority modeled on Marin County’s program.
Sylvester said the funding concept discussed at the Council of Governments meeting is a 10¢ per square foot parcel tax, which proponents estimate would raise about $19,300,000 annually for vegetation management, detection, evacuation planning, grant seeking and home hardening. She urged residents to watch forthcoming regional discussions and noted a Board of Forestry Zone 0 committee meeting in Calabasas the next day that included adjustments to the near‑building clearances.
"The first foot from the building… has to be clear of everything," Sylvester said, describing how the updated Zone 0 guidance breaks the five feet immediately adjacent to structures into smaller increments that allow selected vegetation depending on eaves and other structural features. She said there is a two‑year period for removing dead and dying vegetation and a five‑year phase for broader compliance.
Council member Anderson delivered an advisory update from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: the Conservancy is developing a wildfire‑resiliency website and has circulated a survey to gather priorities from communities. Anderson also reported that the City of Malibu filed a civil complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking to assert ownership of certain trails and trail easements within Malibu’s borders; the Conservancy released a statement defending public access and said it would vigorously defend state‑owned trail rights.
Anderson also relayed a wildlife rescue anecdote: volunteers and rangers rescued an emaciated mountain lion cub, reported in local outreach as "Crimson," and arranged transport to Northern California where it could be paired with a surrogate mother for rehabilitation.
No formal council action was taken on these regional items during the meeting; council members encouraged residents to follow the Board of Forestry and COG proceedings and noted upcoming preparedness events.
