The Malibu Farmers’ Market received a Conditional Use Permit from the Planning Commission on Monday, allowing it to once more operate in the parking lot in front of City Hall on Sundays.
Last year, the market, sponsored by Cornucopia Farms, operated under the assumption that it did not need a CUP, but market organizers later learned that one was needed since the market did more than just sell fruits and vegetables.
However, this is not what closed down the market at the end of the year.
The market first opened in May of 2000 and provided live entertainment for people while they were shopping. Although market officials say it closed in the fall because vendors did not have enough produce to sell, given that they can only carry California grown produce, unofficial sources say the market closed because it was doing poorly and revenues were down.
But organizers are attempting a come back in the spring and they needed the CUP from the city to do so.
The commission found that the market brings a desirable element to the community and does not have negatively impact the commercial neighborhood where it operates. The market takes place once a week when surrounding city and county facilities are closed.
In other matters, a 4 to 1 vote by the commission denied a request to build a couple of two-story homes on Galahad Drive. The commission denied the request because the increased height and proximity of the two houses would have a negative impact on the ridgeline’s natural topography and visual impact would be too great.
However, the commission did not completely deny the project since they concurrently approved two variances for the same project, allowing for one-story homes to be built on the site.
The commission allowed the developer to reduce front yard and side yard setbacks and they also agreed that the homes could be built on a slope steeper than the norm because the two lots are located on long and narrow parcels that do not give the builder other options.
But when the commission focused on the impact that the homes would have visually, they referred to the zoning code, indicating the city shall minimize visual impact on hillside development and protect public views. The code also expects builders to minimize hillside development.
Commissioner Ted Vaill disagreed with the majority because he thought the builder should be allowed to build the two-story homes. He said the code states, minimize visual impact, not eliminate it.
In other matters, the commission approved a subdivision request for a property located near Malibu Country Estates, west of John Tyler Road.
Architect Ron Goldman proposed to subdivide a 6.47 acre lot into four parcels. This proposal became agreeable with neighbors who initially had some concerns about the impact of four new homes and a road near their properties when Goldman said he would mitigate their concerns by providing adequate landscaping to protect their privacy.