Planning Commission hears La Paz project
The Planning Commission on Tuesday after The Malibu Times went to print held a hearing on the La Paz project, located on a 15-acre piece of property in the Civic Center next to Papa Jack’s Skate Park. A second session is expected to follow next month prior to a commission vote. Information on Tuesday’s meeting can be obtained at The Times’ Web site at www.ci.malibu.ca.us later this week.
The plan calls for 112,000 square feet of commercial and office development and a 20,000-square-foot City Hall, as well as 609 subterranean and surface parking spaces. The City Hall is part of a development agreement with the property owner, who would be providing a cash payment to the city for use toward the construction.
The portion of the land near Civic Center Way would include seven buildings, five of which are single-story and two that are two stories. Ponds and wetland areas would connect the buildings. The upper section of the property would include four two-story buildings, with significant landscaping.
The City Hall would consist of three buildings, a 7,600-square-foot facility for the Environmental and Community Development, and Public Works departments. An 8,800-square-foot building would be used for the Parks and Recreation Department as well as administrative and clerical workers. A third, 3,700-square-foot facility would consist of a City Council Chamber.
There is an alternative 99,000-square-foot commercial project if the property owner does not build the City Hall.
Fraudulent e-mail being sent regarding wildfires
Assemblymember Julia Brownley released a statement last week saying that an e-mail being sent purporting to be from her asking people to participate in a “recovery and rebuilding” program for the state’s recent wildfires is actually a scam. The e-mail has people click on a Web site link where they can “donate” money.
“I was stunned and horrified by what is clearly an e-mail scam,” Brownley wrote in the statement. She continued, “It is another ugly side to the tragedy of the Southern California wildfires, where some anonymous person is attempting to exploit the generosity of Americans to support one another in a time of crisis for personal gain and greed.”
Malibu to honor veterans
The city of Malibu and the Chamber of Commerce will host their 8th annual Veterans Day Public Ceremony on Sunday at City Hall. The event will take place in memory of Sgt. Robert Ayres III, the 2003 Malibu High School alumnus who was killed last month in Iraq.
According to a press release, the goal of the event is “to bring the local businesses, schools and organizations together to commemorate Veterans Day with a public ceremony in honor of those who have served and are serving this country.”
The ceremony takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. City Hall is located at 23815 Stuart Ranch Road. For more information, call 310.456.2489 or 310.456.9025.
Attorney Thomas A. Mesereau Jr. to speak in Malibu
Thomas A. Mesereau Jr., who represented Michael Jackson in his recent trial, will be speaking at The Sunset Restaurant on Nov. 15 at an event hosted by the Malibu Bar Association and Diesel, A Bookstore. Following his address, Mesereau will have a discussion with author Aphrodite Jones, who wrote “Michael Jackson, Conspiracy,” which includes a foreword by Mesereau.
The event, which is open to the public with a $45 cover charge, will also include non-alcoholic drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Reservations are required. For more information, call 310.456.3812.
City Hall closing for holiday
City Hall will be closed on Monday in observance of Veterans Day, and will reopen on Tuesday. The Malibu Times
building will remain open on Monday.
Presbyterian Church collecting food for the needy
The Malibu Presbyterian Church is holding its 12th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Nov. 15-17 to collect food for families. The collection will take place in front of Ralphs in Malibu Colony Plaza. Last year, the church received enough food to feed more than 300 families.
-Jonathan Friedman