A spirited dialogue on the merits of adopting a formula retail ordinance took place at Malibu City Hall on Thursday night, bringing together city officials, local residents and real estate representatives.
Formally a meeting of the Zoning Ordinance Revisions and Code Enforcement Subcommittee, or ZORACES, the town hall-styled meeting generated an array of comments on the future of Malibu businesses — namely, if a special law should be created placing restrictions on the types of businesses that are allowed to set up shop in Malibu. Some residents have claimed that big name chain stores are pushing out mom-and-pop small businesses, while others believe that a special ordinance stamps out corporate name brands from pursuing free enterprise in the city.
Some of the suggestions bandied about on Thursday were adopting a rent control system for tenants who would benefit from an increased floor-area ratio; enhancements to local zoning and the change in use permitting process; and limits placed on advertising chain stores in Malibu that undercut business from small retailers.
Malibu Mayor John Sibert, a ZORACES member, said he hopes for the council to discuss the issue at a meeting in August. Council member Pamela Conley Ulich has been the council’s biggest proponent of adopting a retail formula ordinance.
Look in next week’s issue of The Malibu Times, the print edition or online, for a more in-depth story on this issue, as well as the Shop Local special section, with a story on small business owners’ ideas on how to solve the exodus of locally owned businesses.