LAS PULGAS CANYON: OVERBUILT AND DUMPED ON

Published by admin on April 16, 2020April 16, 2020

PPRA supported the neighbors and other residents
on the rim of Las Pulgas Canyon, with respect to their
concerns about a requested Coastal Development
Permit for 356 Grenola Street, as expressed in
letters to the Zoning Administrator, calls to the
Council Office and at a hearing on February 19.
The application is to approve massive construction
that has already been completed under a Coastal
Commission Emergency Permit, granted without
public notice, hearing or input.
The neighbors contend, and PPRA agrees,
that the construction done under the Emergency
Permit far exceeds anything needed to stabilize
the slope and remedy an emergency. It includes a
clearly “non-emergency” Jacuzzi, major landscaping
features and a large underground room. Despite
the massive project approved under the Emergency
Permit, applicant still managed to exceed his permit
limitations, and a Stop Work Order was issued
by Building and Safety on February 9.
At the Zoning Administration hearing, the
Council Office strongly supported the neighbors,

opposing any pool or spa on the unstable rim
and stating that nothing beyond the required
emergency measures need be allowed to remain.
PPRA urged that no retroactive permit for the
excessive construction be granted and that the
square footage of the underground room be
included in any permitted future construction.
The Zoning Administrator took the matter under
advisement and a decision is pending.
Canyon Dumping: Last summer, several Las Pulgas
rim residents observed many truckloads of dirt and
debris being dumped in the canyon. After several
calls to the City, it was determined that no permits
had been obtained, and the dumping was illegal.
With the winter rains, much of the dirt and debris,
of unknown origin and composition, washed into
the canyon stream. PPRA has pursued this matter
over the last several months with the City, Coastal
Commission and Department of Fish and Game, and
recently sent photographs to the Coastal Commission
Enforcement Branch in Ventura.