On Monday the City Council, in a 5 to 0 decision, turned down longtime Malibu resident, actor Stacy Keach in his quest to have a decision of the Planning Commission overruled. Keach wanted to break his 5.95 gross acres on Winding Way into two separate lots, but the Planning Commission had turned him down.
“This is the hardest part of the job,” said Sharon Barovsky, a council member who knows Keach personally, after the council reluctantly voted down the appeal.
The minimum size acreage allowed under the slope density formula is 3.4 acres per lot in that area. However, one of the parcels would have ended up at only 2.05 acres, and a subdivision variance was required.
Keach came to the podium to personally advocate his case, with the help of an overhead projector. He said his family has owned the property since 1975, and as time went on and the area became increasingly subdivided, he was hopeful he could do the same on his property, since his property was similar to his neighbors
“But then again, I was young and naive,” he said.
It took 10 years and $157,000 to get water to the property,” he continued.
“I was thrilled when Malibu became a city,” said Keach.
But it was ironic because the county was just about to approve his plan, he said.
“Why can’t I enjoy the same rights as my neighbors,” he asked.
The next item on the agenda dealt with unhappy neighbors who are upset about the size and height of a proposed home on Sea Vista Drive, which would be built on a hill overlooking the rest of the neighborhood, which the Planning Commission had approved.
The council suggested that both parties get together with Planning Director Barry Hogan to try to come to some mutual agreement before the end of the year.
“I want the man to build a house, it’s going to be our first line of defense in case of a fire,” said a neighbor. “But this man is proposing to put a Beverly Hills mansion at the top of our hills.”
After spending more then an hour on the matter, the council sent both parties out to try and work it out, but as they were leaving, the situation quickly deteriorated and they could be heard in the hall, arguing and talking lawsuits.
City Attorney Steven Amerikaner reported that the council directed staff in a closed session to investigate and prepare a set of recommendations on AB 998 (authorizing the California Coastal Commission to write the Malibu Local Coastal Plan) and to lay out the city’s alternatives for repeal, or litigation to have a court declare it invalid.
A council decision on a public alternate route for Rambla Pacifico was postponed, since local residents collected $40,000 to retain an engineering firm and an attorney to review the possibility of a private road option. Staff indicated they would like to see if the Rambla Road Association, which is currently forming to serve the area, would move forward on the project.
Vic Peterson, Building and Safety official, reported that the Code Enforcement Task Force finalized a third and last portion of their recommendations. All three recommendation packets will be reported on at the Nov. 27, council meeting.
Council also heard a report from Interim City Manager Christi Hogin, about some changes in administrative organization.
As she spoke about creating positions, separating duties and installing controls, she indicated the fiscal impact would be an additional $15,379 to the general fund.
Jena Chanel will be one beneficiary of this change, approved unanimously by the council.
“She is very valued,” said Hogin, who created a new position for Chanel. She will now be a Telecommunications Specialist instead of clerk.
The possibility of adding parking space in the Winter Canyon area where there are two schools, a day care center and a church using the facilities, was discussed.
“The parking situation in Winter Canyon has become critical,” said Councilmember Ken Kearsley.
The sheriff identified this as a problem area as well.
“We have a willing donor who will pay to lease some property in L.A. County, adjacent to Our Lady of Malibu and to donate it for public use,” said Kearsley.
But this matter is easier said then done since the county is reluctant to make the space available as requested, he said.
“I’ve been trying to lobby the county, but their answer is to build a parking structure,” said the councilmember.
Kearsley also discussed his Malibu Vision 2000 plan.
He said Malibu needs a long-range plan and budget so the city can have a vision for the future.
He and Richard Davis, a 39-year Malibu resident and member of the Public Works Commission, presented the long range-planning concept.
Barovsky briefly made a presentation about a blue ribbon shuttle service. The matter was continued to a later meeting.
“That’s going to be one of my top priorities if I’m elected,” said Barovsky.
In a comical ending, the council discussed the purchase of a public speaker timer. The cost for this timer was estimated at $700 and two councilmembers thought the cost excessive.
“I’ll bring in my egg timer,” said Barovsky.
But Hasse emphasized the importance of the timer and he moved forward with a motion, seconded by Councilmember Joan House. Kearsley voted against the timer and Jennings, who was the swing vote, hesitated, but Hasse reminded him that if he voted against the timer, he would not want to hear any more complaints about extended speaker time. Jennings voted in favor of the gadget after all.