Introduction

The City of Calabasas welcomes property owners, residents and businesses of Craftsman’s Corner to the Calabasas website!

This page provides information and links about potential annexation into the City of Calabasas, details on the benefits to joining Calabasas, and a number of frequently asked questions about annexation.  Craftsman’s Corner property owners, residents and businesses are encouraged to contact the Calabasas Community Development Department with any questions.

The following list is a summary of key benefits of annexation. For details on these and other City programs and services, please consult the City's website.

• Ability to vote for local elected representatives

• Ability to serve on Calabasas Commissions and the City Council

• Enhanced Emergency Response & Preparedness

• Lower planning and permit fees

• No business license or registration fees

• Access to Blackboard Connect, our city-to-resident Emergency Notification System. Click here to listen to a sample Calabasas Connect-CTY message sent to residents during the 2008 Porter Ranch Fire.

• Monthly e-newsletters and quarterly mailed newsletters

• CTV - The Calabasas Channel featuring award winning original programming and coverage of City meetings, events, and Las Virgenes Unified School District board meetings

• Dial-a-Ride for persons aged 65 & over

• Free flu shot clinics for Calabasas residents

• Teen Activities Council

• Prompt resolution of Cable TV Complaints/Issues

Background Information

Craftsman’s Corner has been identified as a potential candidate for annexation in the City’s General Plan for the past 10 years. On December 11, 2013 the City Council adopted a resolution of annexation to formally initiate an annexation to bring Craftsman’s Corner into the City under applicable state law. Then, on December 10, 2014 the City filed an application with the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Los Angeles County requesting consideration of the annexation.  The City of Calabasas has also been assisting the City of Hidden Hills to annex a few parcels located outside the Craftsman’s Corner area, but adjacent to Hidden Hills.

Annexation Status / Process

Before LAFCO can officially consider the matter, the City is required to accomplish several pre-requisites:

1. Submittal to Los Angeles County LAFCO of a completed application.

2. Submittal to Los Angeles County LAFCO of a number of supplemental documents, including an address limits table, a tabular list of all properties to be annexed, a plan for the transition of services, and a legal map and description of the territory to be annexed.

3. Pre-zone the proposed annexation area. On October 14, 2015, the Calabasas City Council passed Ordinance No. 2015-329 pre-zoning the Craftsman’s Corner annexation area in conformance with land use designations in the City’s 2030 General Plan.  For the few remaining undeveloped properties and for existing developed properties over the long term (as they eventually reach a point of obsolescence and go through redevelopment), the proposed zoning districts will ensure ongoing viability of the existing land use pattern and will promote rational and cohesive future development patterns, consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan. Additionally, each of the developed commercial properties will continue to be governed by the conditions of approval for any Conditional Use Permits, variances, or other discretionary approvals issued by the County. Conditional Use Permits, for example, run with the land and all associated permissions, restrictions and mitigations (e.g., height limits, FAR, conditions of approval, etc.) will likewise carry forward and remain in effect even following a successful annexation of the properties.

Similarly, on February 12, 2018, the Hidden Hills City Council passed an ordinance to pre-zone the four properties set to annex to Hidden Hills.

4. Prepare and adopt a joint tax-sharing resolution. The City is currently working with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to prepare an appropriate tax-sharing resolution.

After completing these necessary pre-requisites, the annexation process will shift to LAFCO in accordance with procedures specified in the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, as amended (state law). Accordingly, LAFCO will conduct at least one public hearing, in advance of which LAFCO will mail notices to all property owners and registered voters in the area. At the public hearing LAFCO will consider approval of the annexation.  A second hearing will be held by LAFCO for the sole purpose of calculating any written protests from property owners and/or registered voters within the annexation area. If a sufficient number of written protests are received, LAFCO will order an election to take place wherein only the registered voters within the annexation area will receive ballots. (Please see the accompanying diagram for detailed explanation of the LAFCO public hearing and protest processes and applicable thresholds for protest hearing and election.)  The annexation will be completed if the number of written protests fails to reach established thresholds or the results of an election are positive in favor of the annexation. If this occurs Craftman’s Corner would be within the City on the date the annexation is recorded by the LAFCO staff.

Synopsis of LAFCO Public Hearings Process for Annexations

NOTE: This chart is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replicate the precise meaning and intent of the Cortese-Knox-Herzberg Act (Cal. Gov. Code Section 56000 et. Seq.). Interested persons are encouraged to consult the LAFCO website for more specific information regarding the annexation process and timelines (www.lalafco.org).

Important Links and Documents

Los Angeles County Local Area Formation Commission (LA County LAFCO) Website

2030 General Plan - Community Design Element - 3/7/18

2030 General Plan Final Environmental Impact Report - 3/8/18

Second Addendum to Final Environmental Impact Report for The City of Calabasas 2030 General Plan- 3/7/18

Staff Report to Hidden Hills City Council, February 12, 2018 - 3/8/18

Memorandum from City of Hidden Hills - A Resolution Adopting a General Plan Amendment and Introduction of an Ordinance to Pre-Zone Approximately 12.3 Acres of Property Consisting of Four Parcels to the the R-A-S Zoning District in Preparation for Subsequent Annexation of Such Property - 2/12/18

City Council Resolution No. 2013-1393 - 12/11/13

City Council Action Agenda - 12/11/13

City Council Presentation - 12/11/13

Letter to Property Owners regarding December 11, 2013 City Council Meeting - 11/18/13

Craftsman's Corner Presentation to Property Owners - 10/21/13

Letter to Property Owners regarding October 21, 2013 Outreach Meeting - 09/20/13

Informative Presentation - Citizens Meeting - 08/26/13

Letter to Property Owners regarding August 26, 2013 Outreach Meeting - 07/28/13

Informative Presentation - Citizens Meeting - 07/15/13

Reminder Postcard regarding July 15, 2013 Meeting- 07/01/13

Letter to Homeowners regarding July 15, 2013 Outreach Meeting - 05/31/13

City Council Presentation - 05/08/13

A proposed annexation of approximately 145 acres of territory (including 85 parcels) to the City of Calabasas, and approximately 12 acres of territory (including four parcels) to the City of Hidden Hills.  This area is presently part of the unincorporated territories of the County of Los Angeles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How was Craftsman’s Corner identified to be annexed to the City of Calabasas?

A: In 2008, Calabasas adopted the 2030 General Plan which identified several north lying areas “bookended” by Calabasas as having the potential for being annexed in to the City. In fact, the Community Design Element of the 2030 General Plan includes a vision to revitalize Craftsman’s Corner as part of the City’s “East Village” area.

Q: What costs, if any, will residents be required to pay if Craftsman’s Corner is annexed?

A: 100% of the costs of processing the annexation is being paid by the City of Calabasas. The property owners and residents of Craftsman’s Corner will not pay any part of those costs. Also, property taxes will not be affected at all by the annexation. There will be a slight change in the utility user tax (UUT) rate -- currently Craftsman’s Corner residents pay UUT at a rate of 4.5%, while the City charges 5.0% for UUT. However, prior to 2008 the County rate was 5.0% but was lowered to 4.5% in 2008 via passage of Measure U; and although the rate went down to 4.5% additional utilities were added so the comparative cost to taxpayers is likely a wash or only slightly higher, depending on individual usage of the various utility services. Also, the annual lighting district fee (currently $5.00 annually per household) will increase to $28.00 annually (the City district rate).

Q: If Craftsman’s Corner is annexed to the City, who will provide emergency services (fire protection and law enforcement)?

A: The Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff will continue to provide fire protection and police protection services for Craftsman’s Corner residents because both agencies are under contract to the City of Calabasas (e.g., there will be no change).

Q: What are the major differences in the City and Los Angeles County Municipal Codes?

A: Los Angeles County and Calabasas municipal code are actually very similar. A few points of interest in the Calabasas municipal code include a requirement that mobile car wash businesses be licensed to insure compliance with environmental protection regulations, a requirement that pet owners clean up after their pet, and the secondhand smoke control ordinance. (Please visit the City’s web site where you may peruse the Municipal Code at your leisure.)

Q: If Craftsman’s Corner is annexed to the City, will the zoning of my property change?

A: Yes, the City of Calabasas Municipal Code contains its own Land Use and Development Code, which contains different zoning designations than LA County. Prior to initiating the annexation process with LAFCO, the City Council adopted the following Pre-Zone Map to establish the zoning designation for each parcel within the annexation area.

Craftsman's Corner Pre-zone Map for the City of Calabasas

Need more information?

Residents with unaddressed questions are encouraged to contact the City Planner, Tom Bartlett at (818) 224-1600, or via email at: tbartlett@cityofcalabasas.com.