Measure W will be on the ballot in less than a month, and ballots are now being mailed out for this election and for vote by mail. This is the first test of Measure R, passed by the voters last year by about a 60 percent to 40 percent vote, which requires commercial developments of over 20,000 square feet to be submitted to the voters for approval.
I urge a “no” vote. Not only is it, by no means, sure that there will be Whole Foods anchoring this mall located at the corner or Cross Creek Road and Civic Center Way, but it is the first major development in the Civic Center area since the Lumberyard complex was completed years ago.
However, it is not the last. The La Paz development has been permitted next to this one, and construction may start soon. Much of the Civic Center complex, except for the Malibu Public Library, will be converted into a branch of Santa Monica College. That will make three new developments next to each other, which will bring significant added traffic to the already overcrowded Civic Center area. Currently, there are over 10 vehicle entry and exit points to Cross Creek Road between PCH and Cross Creek, as well as three or four marked pedestrian crosswalks.
Last week, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party voted to oppose Measure W and to urge Malibu voters to vote “no.” The Malibu Democratic Club Board has also voted to oppose Measure W.
Ted Vaill