MBC spokesperson says misinformation is misleading residents; will be glad to discuss project in detail with the public and offered to schedule a tour.
By Edie Riggins/Special to The Malibu Times
Scores of Malibu residents attending the April 15 Malibu Planning Commission public hearing on the Malibu Bay Company (MBC) development agreement voiced their concerns for the future landscape of Malibu while others supported the project for the community facilities that it would bring to the community.
The meeting was the seventh in a series of nine public hearings before the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council May 7. The recommendation will be based on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the proposed developments and the consistency of the constructions with the Malibu General Plan.
Concerns were raised over the story poles erected by MBC and the capacity of the poles to give residents a complete picture of what the developments will look like if erected.
Malibu resident Ozzie Silna said the story poles presently in place were not enough to tell the layperson the full story.
“If I see a visual of the story poles there, then I get some kind of understanding,” he said. “I think we as citizens have a right to see what is going on with these projects.”
Planning Commission Chairman Richard Carrigan agreed.
“Currently what is up there does not work,” Carrigan said. “Although I don’t fault the Bay Company at this time for what they have done, I hope they will revisit the placement of the story poles and create something that the community can understand.”
MBC spokesperson David Reznick told commissioners it would be helpful for them to see the map of what the story poles represented, along with the models of the projects.
“There have been too many statements of misinformation,” Reznick said after the public comment session. “I would be glad to sit down and talk to the public in detail.”
Reznick said Malibu residents are welcome to schedule a tour with the MBC of the story poles and the models of the projects.
Members of the community who stood in favor of the project spoke of needed commercial and athletic developments in Malibu.
Chris Hasselquist, a Malibu native and vice president of the Chamber of Commerce spoke during the meeting of the lack of commercial districts in Malibu.
“We need more commercial districts strategically laid throughout the community,” he said. “We need a plan for something with minimal damage where the rewards are high.”
“The chamber has endorsed this project,” he said. “We think it is a good solid plan for the future.”
Malibu resident Hans Laetz agreed. “I am in favor of the project,” he said. “It is a good tradeoff of developers’ needs and community projects.”
Several residents stood to speak on behalf of youth athletic programs that are in support of the development agreement because of needed ball fields.
Kelly Silverberg spoke for the 850 players and 450 families who are members of the American Youth Soccer Organization. She said the organization is supporting the development agreement.
“We need a healthy outlook for children,” she said. “I agree with a lot of people that I wouldn’t want a ball field in my back yard, but the MBC is giving us what seems like the best thing going.”
Planning Commissioner Deirdre Roney’s last remarks of the meeting were on the ball park issue.
“I have sat through hearing after hearing and listened to people dismiss the ball fields,” she said. “We live in a very wealthy community where kids have no place to play.
“People are not willing in this very wealthy community to pitch in. If all of you people out there who don’t want development agreements don’t help, development agreements will look good in that climate. We have to wake up as a community and care about our kids.”
The last public hearing before the Malibu Planning Commission will take place in the City Hall Council Chambers May 7 at 6:30 p.m.