The citizens’ main point was proven last night [at Monday’s city council meeting] by the speakers from the Malibu Lumber Yard, Dance star and The Art Barn. Because the City of Malibu, who owns that building, had the foresight to put into the lease the requirement that the landlord has to rent out 20 percent of that center to local Malibu businesses for a fair, reduced rent is the sole reason that those businesses are still here in our town able to stay in business at Cross Creek. We would like to see that cooperation and business model spread across the City of Malibu with all of our local landlords. We are encouraged that all five council members voted to further study the options of a Modified CUP and Commercial Diversification Requirement. In addition, as stated by city manager Jim Thorsen, a request was made for additional study of planning ideas. We hope that our citizens will be represented by a strong city council that will advocate on their behalf when it comes to developing practical diversification safeguards and have the foresight to see that Malibu’s commercial landscape will radically change once the Cross Creek sewer system becomes active in 2015. The time to act is today. Once the sewer is in place, developers will build within the zoning laws with literally no safeguards to promote diversification of businesses that the citizens of Malibu so desperately need. We continue to ask the city to protect and preserve what little Malibu has left of its unique beach community and character.
Brian and Julie Eamer