When City Council rejected an EIR on the latest Bluffs Preserve ball field plan, parents of Little League and soccer players sunk in their heels to campaign harder. But I’m concerned their zeal will backfire. Parents believe the city can just make it happen: Change laws. Pull strings. One parent told the council: “We know you can persuade the California Coastal Commission. We’ve seen you do it!”
It isn’t that simple: State Parks originally acquired Bluffs Preserve to remain public open space forever. Its history (malibuopenspace.org/savingbluffs/recenthistory) shows all state bluffs decisions had that intent. If city council reneges, the Malibu city code allows appeals. And legal challenges are lining up. County and state environmentalists oppose converting the bluffs for sports. So, it would take at least a decade and tens of millions of dollars to turn convert the land for sports. Additional challenges involve environmental risks and land hazards. But why, when hassle-free property is available with no hazards, no opponents, far less money, and no CCC issues?
These aren’t my opinions, just facts. Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHAs) CANNOT be developed. An EIR isn’t a tool to determine what can be done, but part of each use application. The city’s drastically narrowed ball field plans still lack a feasible footprint.
So, why insist that soccer be at Bluffs Park if an ocean view isn’t needed for field goals? To accuse council members of being against our kids only slows their progress.
Aside from the ESHA issue, the CCC will balk at the active fault line crossing the site. Malibu’s city website, as well as state maps, document landslides and areas which can liquefy in an earthquake. Faults don’t dry up, so why repeat those studies? Field construction at Bluffs field would start at $28 million with the costs rising rapidly.
For more than 27 years, previous councils failed to procure any league sports fields, but today’s mayor, mayor pro tem, and most planning commissioners consider that a priority.
All they need is support. The answer is clear: Let’s not throw good money after bad on an EIR. Let’s play ball in great new place.
Ann Doneen