The proposed View Restoration and Preservation Ordinance not only affects Malibu Country Estates, and the pleasure of the personal views and property values of residents there. It also raises the issue in the Country Estates and all across Malibu of whether civility and common sense can prevail in our community over the disturbing instances of disregard for neighbors by recalcitrant residents.
Being sadly lost in the rise of offending foliage, as well as the over-designed and off-putting residences, is a sense of place, and respect for people that make Malibu special, and the reason why so many of us moved here. Intentionally or not, the views that distinguish Malibu from both public and private perches are increasingly being compromised, and should be the ultimate responsibility of the city to rectify.
Mediation and arbitration as proposed in the ordinance are steps in the right direction, but if they fail, the city must become proactive, and not leave it to the aggrieved party to appeal to the court where unfortunately those with the deepest pockets usually prevail. A stick is needed to go with the city’s carrots.
If not, our famous sign declaring “Malibu, 27 miles of scenic beauty,” I fear in the interest of honesty in advertising will have to be amended to “Malibu, 27 miles of scenic beauty, for the privileged few.” Let’s not have to appeal to the Coastal Commission for relief. Instead, the city should step up to the plate, and do the right thing, which is to restore and protect the views of residents, and the heritage of Malibu.
Sam Hall Kaplan