City staff is recommending approval of the Whole Foods and the Park Environmental Impact Report (EIR), along with associated zoning amendments and lot mergers, by the Planning Commission at a public hearing scheduled for Thursday.
The public hearing, which will take place during a special June 11 Planning Commission meeting, is intended to give the public and Planning Commissioners a chance to weigh in on the proposed shopping center’s EIR, as well as its specific plan, code amendments and associated entitlements.
Because of the Measure R formula retail ordinance, which was passed by voters in November 2014, the final specific plan will be placed on a ballot and subject to approval by voters in a general election.
Plans for the Whole Foods project have been discussed off and on for several years, with many residents expressing excitement for a local new shopping center with public park-like landscaping, while others warn there could be unintended consequences for traffic to the nearby Serra Canyon neighborhood, a threat to safety in the event of a fire and an onslaught of visitors increasing PCH traffic.
A possible increase in traffic has been studied in the EIR and was found to be marginal, though some residents argue that the study was not thorough. City staffers have approved the traffic study.
“After all these years of working with the community and city staff, we are gratified to have the seal of approval outlined in staff’s report,” Developer Steve Soboroff said in a statement provided to The Malibu Times following the publication of the City’s staff report. “We are proud of Whole Foods and the Park. We are especially excited about the positive social elements of the project that will make Malibu a better place for all.”