TOPANGA—Shops Put in Peril From Expansion of Park

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Having survived fires, floods and El Nino, a handful of lower Topanga Canyon businesses are in for the fight of their lives.

They could close as the result of the State of California’s $43 million acquisition of 1,600 acres of coastal canyon land to expand Topanga State Park.

With the help of a questionnaire that was distributed to the 13 charming but ramshackle businesses, the state Department of Parks and Recreation will determine which shops would be compatible with the park and owners of a feed store and furniture retailer, among others, are worried.

“Where are we going to find another corner like this,” said John Storey, manager of Oasis, a sprawling furniture and statuary store at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway. “What you’re talking about is 30 families losing their income. Between the store and our factory downtown we employ close to 100 people.”

Some merchants are upset about what they say is a lack of communication from state officials. A handful of business owners are gathering signatures and lobbying elected representatives in a bid to draw attention to their predicament.

The state bought the land for the park expansion from LAACO Ltd., owner of the L.A. Athletic Club to help restore wetlands and provide the first unbroken trail from the San Fernando Valley to the Pacific Ocean.


Must relocate by July

According to a letter from Department of Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Mark Schrader, residents of 47 rental units in lower Topanga Canyon and businesses “that are deemed inappropriate” in the park zone have until July 1, 2002 to relocate.

Businesses that are permitted to stay would operate as concessionaires of the state.

Marty Morehart, whose bright red Feed Bin animal supply store has a small petting zoo in the back, said state officials have yet to meet individually with merchants, leading to uncertainty about the criteria they must meet to stay. Morehart said he’s gathered 5,000 signatures and received an outpouring of support from customers.

“I’ve spent 35 years customizing a business to serve (Malibu and Topanga) and I get a one-page letter with six questions on it to determine if I’m compatible with the park,” Morehart said. “We have nothing to gain and everything to lose. Yeah, I’m unhappy about it.”

Roy Stearns, director of communications for the parks department, said the type of businesses most likely to be incorporated into Topanga State Park, include restaurants and souvenir shops. “It might be that we can find (The Feed Bin) a place close by that fits his business,” Stearns said. “That would be ideal.”

Some merchants contend the state has done a poor job communicating with them about what’s in store.

“We don’t really know what’s happening,” said Ray Craig, owner of the Topanga Ranch Motel, which rents rooms across the highway from the sand for $75 to $95 per night. “I hope the state will be fair. I tell my friends in jest ‘I’ve got nothing to worry about. My fate is in the hands of politicians and bureaucrats.'”

Steve Capps, assistant deputy director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, said business owners were notified about two informational community meetings held in recent months and that the state is doing its best to keep everyone up to date.

“I know that many people feel frustrated. We had to go through this planning process so we won’t make any arbitrary decisions,” Capps said. “The bottom line is we don’t know yet what businesses will be appropriate to stay.”


Relocation funds

Meantime, the state Department of General Services has set aside $5 million to compensate or relocate tenants and merchants in the park area.

“Once the property was bought to be a state park it was inevitable that some changes would be made,” said State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, who represents the area. “I think everyone will have an opportunity to make their case.” Kuehl said the review process would take six months.

Capps emphasized that the state will consider “the flavor and fabric” of the area in its evaluation process, but that will be just one consideration of many, including access issues and questions of tainted water in Topanga Creek that could be the result of leaking septic tanks in the area.

Few would object to that goal. But according to Kim Ruge, general manager of the Reel Inn restaurant, which was called The Raft in an earlier incarnation, that and other nearby businesses represent a disappearing slice of local history.

“Back in the rock and roll days of Hollywood (The Raft) was a dark place serving steaks, potatoes and stiff drinks,” Ruge said of the spot, which is now known more for its family-friendly atmosphere. “Lee Marvin and Steve McQueen used to stop here. It was the last serious drink before the (Malibu) Colony.

“We’ve been here 17 years and we want to stay but we don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Ruge. “We plan on being here.”

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