The passage of the Malibu view preservation ordinance is a welcome development for Malibu residents drawn to the scenic beauty that characterizes our area.
Let me share our view horror story as a sobering tale that warrants broader awareness.
Our home previously enjoyed uninterrupted views of the Pacific and the surrounding canyons.
We returned home late one night after being out of town for a week. Next morning the sun rose to reveal an 80-foot power pole right outside of our bedroom window, and smack in the middle of our previously unspoiled view.
Southern California Edison (SCE) installed it without notice, without consultation and without concern or consideration for its impact. Parts of its structure even hang over our property line. We were given no opportunity to work with SCE to identify a less impactful installation.
Many letters, phone calls and attorney dollars later, SCE has drawn up two alternative installation schemes that would allow the 80-foot pole to be relocated or removed-but only if I pay over $60,000 to fully fund the project (even then they would profit from our misery). They see no error in their ways and feel no obligation to be considerate to their neighbors.
So I welcome the view preservation ordinance and hope to see it extended from growing vegetation to large, ugly corporations.
John Freeman