HAYLEY LERCH
News Assistant
Paradise Cove residents live in a prime beachside area, but many of them are expressing their frustration with an unfinished sewage reconstruction project. Workers began digging up streets in August 2004 and have yet to repave them, which means muddy conditions are common, dust pervades the area and some residents are dealing with respiratory problems.
“Basically, we’ve been living in dirt and dust, and we are constantly cleaning our home. It’s not a very good living condition even though I love Paradise Cove,” said park resident Ken Dahlquist.
The project is meant to improve the park’s sewage system, which currently involves daily pumping of residents’ septic tanks. According to park manager Steve Dahlberg, the Regional Water Quality Control Board requires that the system be updated.
Much of Malibu has been under construction at various times due to the city’s sewage problems. Pepperdine freshman Lexi Rothschild has lived in Malibu for many years and knows all too well about the effects of the city’s septic system. She said that while it keeps the city from attracting large stores and becoming overly populated, it is also a deterrent for some residents.
“I think that this dilemma is a never-ending thing that Malibu will face between progressing and remaining in the dark ages” Rothschild said with regard to sewage reconstruction.
The next phase of the Paradise Cove project cannot begin until the city planning commission issues another permit, according to Dahlberg. “They’re requiring an extraordinary amount of analysis” Dahlberg said.
The daily pumping practice has not changed and the living conditions in the park have decreased since the project began. Dahlquist said he thinks his wife’s incessant cough has something to do with the current conditions.
The Kissel Company, which is the Dahlberg family business, owns the Paradise Cove mobile home park. The company originally projected the plan would be completed in August of 2005. The estimated $4 million project was re-evaluated and the overall cost was reduced to $2.6 million.
Though the Kissel Company is paying a portion of the cost, residents are responsible for charges that exceed $2.1 million. The reduction in the project’s cost means residents’ rent will not increase as much as originally projected.
“They did drop the overall cost of the project, which will help us when our rents are hiked up” Dahlquist said.
Although the redesign decreased costs, it also meant that plans had to be resubmitted to the city planning commission in February 2004. Permits have been delayed, which has slowed the progression of the project. Dahlberg said he was meeting with city council members Tuesday to discuss the issue.
Residents are upset about the conditions and some are concerned about the workers participating in the project. While Dahlquist has questioned the quality of contractors, Dahlberg insisted that only licensed and insured plumbers are heading the project.
Dahlquist said the relationship between management and park residents is also strained. “My main bone of contention is the communication between park manager and residents and letting them know what’s going on” Dahlquist said.
Not only is Dahlquist concerned, but so too is the management.
“There are a lot of people that are frustrated, as am I,” Dahlberg said.
There is still some work going on, but the request for a permit needs to be approved in order to make significant progress.
Once the planning commission issues a permit, the next phase of the project can begin and residents will be closer to enjoying an updated sewage system.
02-09-2006