Last week Arnold York’s editorial mentioned a few friends who wish to see Malibu commercialized. It would be wise to invite them to read Malibu’s General Plan Mission Statement. Many residents haven’t.
It explicitly states, “Malibu will maintain its rural character by establishing programs and policies that avoid suburbanization and commercialization of its natural and cultural resources.” They should visit our city hall and read the founding principle written across the lobby “Preserving Malibu.”
This city was founded on preservation, which is designed to be the guiding principal of every action that this city makes. Malibu was not founded to be one long continuous, congested, over-developed arm of Santa Monica. It was created as a city that protects this rural lifestyle, nature and open space, in keeping with the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains. There is a plethora of congested hip, shopping cities to move to, but only one Malibu—the last preserved beach town in all of Los Angeles County. A gift.
Because of this legal, founding mandate of preservation, Malibu stands on very firm ground in protecting itself and its character, as confirmed by many Supreme Court decisions. We can’t move to Manhattan and complain that there are no prairies or move to Wyoming and expect to visit the UN. Smart people realize that the beauty and allure of cities is in their own uniqueness. Malibu’s historic rarity must be embraced and protected.
There are two parts to the Your Malibu, Your Decision Act. The first part is the resident’s right to vote on a large commercial development section, which has been on the books legally in City of Del Mar since 1986—nearly 30 years. Three large developments have been voted through. The second part is a formula ordinance that covers all of Malibu. Over 65 formula ordinances are on city books across America. Now our City Council unanimously supports one for Malibu. San Francisco’s successful ordinance has been enacted for over a decade and they’re now strengthening it. Our City Attorney went on record Monday stating that this initiative is inline with our General Plan, is not a taking, is fully defensible in court and noted merits of formula regulations. Now it’s time for Malibu voters to protect all of Malibu.
J. Flora-Katz