Neighbors raise drainage and parking alarms; Calabasas commission continues Highlands hearing to Dec. 18

Neighbors near the proposed Highlands project told Calabasas planning commissioners on Nov. 20 that drainage and parking make the plan premature to decide.

Rich Perio, who said he lives across the street from the site, described a major drain and an 18‑inch culvert running under the property and warned that improperly addressed drainage could send water into nearby homes. "If this drainage isn't taken care of, I will have issues," Perio said, urging that the project be halted unless the drainage can be resolved. He also said the street offers essentially no parking and that construction activity would block resident access.

Another neighbor, Marley Temple, described steep sight lines and an exposed storm grate and said that parked vehicles on the narrow street "is calling an accident. I'm telling you that." A third neighbor, Scott Coons, deferred substantive comment until Dec. 18 when staff and the applicant can present fuller plans.

Staff response and action: Joel Hayes, the project planner, told the commission the drainage problems neighbors raised "are things we've already identified and are working with public works to make sure the plans address" and that staff had already spoken with neighbors before the meeting. Staff requested and the commission approved a motion to continue the public hearing to Dec. 18 to give the applicant time to resolve technical issues and to provide a full presentation to the commission.

What this means: the hearing was continued to Dec. 18 (date certain). Neighbors and staff were encouraged to meet directly before the continued hearing; commissioners flagged sight‑line signage, Public Works involvement and the possibility of recommending one‑way street controls to the appropriate agency for consideration.

Next step: Item 3 will be re‑noticed for the Dec. 18 meeting with a staff presentation and the applicant expected to attend to answer technical questions.