Next time you park in Malibu Country Estates, make sure you bring your parking pass. The City Council voted, 4-1, on Monday to direct staff to prepare an ordinance that would prohibit non-neighborhood vehicles from parking in the area located just west of Pepperdine University from 2 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.
The council members who approved the measure said it was satisfactory because most other cities with universities have restricted parking in the neighboring areas. The homeowners association had made the request because of the significant amount of university parkers. But Councilmember Jeffrey Jennings cast the dissenting vote, fearing this could lead to a chain reaction of neighborhoods asking for the same thing.
“The curbs and the streets belong to the public at large,” Jennings said. “They don’t belong to the people who live in houses adjacent to them.”
The homeowners had also requested the creation of a preferential parking system in the neighborhood. But the council did not grant the request as city staff had recommended against it, citing the municipal code does not authorize it. Richard Calvin, Malibu’s maintenance manager, did not appear to be too thrilled about the parking restriction that was approved. He said he had driven around the area during the late night/early morning hours and did not see the streets crowded with cars.
Each home will be issued two parking permits. This will prevent homes with Pepperdine students from receiving several permits. The cost of the ordinance, including making signs and enforcement, will be paid for through the permits. The council will vote on a formal ordinance outlying the rules at a future meeting.
Also on Monday, several Corral Canyon Road residents complained about the damaged road, which was damaged in the storms earlier this year. The road has been reduced to one lane, and the homeowners said it was unsafe. The city has not received any money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help repair it. City Manager Katie Lichtig said the city was working as swiftly as possible and would pay for the repairs, regardless of whether it is reimbursed by FEMA.
The council was supposed to address the issue of new campaign finance laws on Monday, but the item was continued to the Nov. 28 meeting. A subcommittee had met during the summer to discuss creating new laws, including raising the minimum amount a person can donate to a candidate, which currently stand at $100.
The council will discuss those issues at the next meeting and form a proposal for the city attorney to draft into an ordinance. The council must pass the ordinance soon as the 2006 City Council campaign is on the horizon. Two seats are up for grabs in the April election.