Calabasas planners approve early removal of Avalon Calabasas story poles after safety complaints

The Calabasas Planning Commission voted July 16 to allow early removal of story poles installed at the Avalon Calabasas site after staff documented repeated impacts to poles or guy wires inside parking lots that rendered the installation hazardous.

Staff said story poles were installed May 19, 2026 and repeatedly required repair after poles or guy wires were struck by vehicles. Staff presented photographs and resident testimony describing fallen poles that, while not reported to have struck people or cars to date, created a hazardous condition in the parking area and reduced the effectiveness of the demonstration. For that reason staff recommended the commission find the poles "no longer effective" and authorize removal under the city’s story pole procedures.

Commissioners debated the legal language of the story pole procedures and whether the situation constituted vandalism or an accidental safety hazard; the commission concluded the hazard rationale supported removal in this case and approved the modification on a roll call vote. The applicant also committed to coordinate with the city on any reinstallation approach and follow applicable rules.

Staff told the commission that the story pole procedure already contemplates replacing or removing poles that become unsafe and that the city will review its story pole procedures going forward.

The commission’s decision on story poles is procedural and separate from the substantive entitlements for the Avalon project; the project’s environmental and entitlement review will proceed through the resolution process the commission directed staff to prepare.