The California Coastal Commission on Thursday approved a five-home development in the mountains overlooking Malibu that was proposed years ago by U2 guitarist "The Edge."
At a meeting in Monterey, the powerful coastal regulatory panel voted unanimously to approve plans that have undergone major revisions since 2007 to reduce visual impacts and effects on sensitive habitats in the Santa Monica Mountains -- the rugged wilderness backdrop to the star-studded coast.
The Edge, whose real name is David Evans, partnered with a developer to buy the land in 2006.
The plan had been before the commission twice before, but amid vigorous opposition from environmentalists and others, the proposal was withdrawn and resubmitted several times.
Edge and his development partners have described the mansions as some of the most environmentally sensitive in the world. Opponents, including the National Park Service, have said the project will have biological and visual impacts in the Santa Monica Mountains.
The five individual applications approved by the commission cluster the homes much closer together than previously envisioned and leaves more open space.
The plan still must go through local government processes.
