On July 16, there is a public hearing before the Planning Commission on issues relating to the Malibu Stage Company (MSC). The agenda is divided into two parts:
1. The request of the MSC to expand its CUP and then be allowed more intensive usage of the site.
2. Should the MSC and Pt. Dume Community Service District (PDCSD) be allowed to enter into a joint venture.
To item #1, I say no. Not without an extensive EIR. An extensive EIR was done in the mid-1980s and revealed that site has a very limited capacity to handle ground water/septic and hence both the Coastal Commission and L.A. County would approve only one home per two acres on the site. Currently, the site has a nursery with a staff and its employees, and I believe there is a guest house on the site. The theater building has the capacity to hold 100 people. Any expanded use must have a valid and detailed EIR. Not a negative declaration and CEQA exemption.
Item 2–No, absolutely and unequivocally no, to PDCSD usage of this site.
(a) It is against current zoning and hence would be illegal.
(b) Our neighborhood is NOT within their boundaries and the board members not accountable to us. No voting rights to select board members is given us.
(c) Any difficulties that the PDCSD is facing are the responsibility of residents of Pt. Dume and their elected board members to resolve, not our neighborhood.
(d) Would most certainly require an in-depth EIR and not just a CEQA exemption.
The fact that the MSC needs city money and is seeking a joint venture with the PDCSD might well be a symptom of a failing venture. I would like the MSC to succeed. They are creative and talented people who do not need to turn to the city or the PDCSD to succeed. I would strongly suggest that they establish a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with their immediate neighbors–one of mutual respect. We are willing and quite able to work with the MSC.
I have asked myself the following:
1. Will the release of city funds to the MSC, the city intending to not require an EIR, and the probable knowledge by the City Council of MSC’s need and desire to enter into a joint venture with the PDCSD allow for a fair and impartial public hearing on July 16, and perhaps later before the City Council?
2. Are my Pt. Dume neighbors fully aware of what their service district is doing, and that they may have the right to tax you? Do you hold your board members accountable?
Russell Drago