Big Changes Planned for Golf Club

Major changes, including a re-designed 18-hole golf course and 40 bungalows are in the works for the Malibu Golf Club.

The Malibu Institute, in partnership with the University of Southern California, are working to transform the existing public golf course and clubhouse, located at 901 Encinal Road, into a retreat space.

The plans call for a redesigned golf course, a new pro-shop, restaurant, 40 bungalows, an indoor driving range and other amenities, according to planning documents.

"The Malibu Institute proposes to develop new educational and meeting facilities, along with visitor-serving overnight accommodations, a clubhouse with fitness and wellness facilities and a restaurant," accordng to a brochure about the project.

The proposal also calls for the space to be used for "educational conferences, seminars and lectures," as well as other organizations such as charitable foundations.

The 18-hole public golf course, a clubhouse and other amenities were built in the early 1970s.

The modernization plans call for the reduction of the amount of water used on the course by as much as 35 percent, the removal of 1,590 non-native plants, and buildings that would strive for LEED certification.

The traffic impacts would be mostly felt on Kanan and Encinal Canyon roads with some increases to Decker Canyon Road.

Los Angeles County is preparing an Environmental Impact Report for the project, according to planning documents dated Dec. 20.