David Brown, Former Calabasas Planning Commissioner, Dies

Dave Brown, former chair and 23 year commissioner of the City of Calabasas Planning Commission, passed away October 12, 2013.  

"All of us at the City of Calabasas will deeply miss the wisdom, vision and stewardship of our friend and our longest serving City Commissioner, Dave Brown,” said Calabasas Mayor Fred Gaines. “Our City and our entire Santa Monica Mountain community would not look the same nor have in place the current environmental protections were it not for Brown's foresight and leadership." 

A resident of Calabasas since 1966, Brown served on the Calabasas Planning Commission from 1992 until September of this year. During his 23 year tenure on the commission, he was instrumental in the development of both of the City’s General Plans and the Development Code.

Brown also served on the Advisory Committee of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and dedicated many years to the organization. During his 22 years of service, he contributed to the development and preservation of 55,000 acres and 110 parks throughout the greater Los Angeles region.

During his 47 years of living in Calabasas, Brown was heavily involved in the community, volunteering his time and efforts to several local organizations, including the Audubon Society, home owner associations, Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council, Sierra Club, and Malibu Creek State Park Docents. 

Among his many awards and recognitions, he was honored in 2008 with the National American Planning Association’s Leadership Award for a planning advocate. 

Upon receiving the news of his win, Brown said, “It surprised me. I think there are a lot of other people who deserve it more. I’d trade it all to conserve some more land.” 

“Even as far back as 1975, when M.A.S.H., Kung Fu and Planet of the Apes were being filmed on the Century Ranch (now Malibu Creek State Park) Dad believed the only sure way to protect open space was to have public agencies buy the land," said Dave’s son Christopher. "Because of this belief he pushed tirelessly–and successfully–for State and Federal parklands in the Santa Monica Mountains. He knew that regulations limiting growth were a poor substitute for parkland and protected open space.” 

Brown is survived by his two sons, David Clarence Brown of Catalina and Christopher Dunning Brown of Yuba City, California, his sister Tracy Wickwire of Lincoln, Maine and many thousands of acres of protected open space and parkland for future generations to enjoy and explore. 

The Calabasas City Council will adjourn their November 13 meeting in honor of Dave Brown.