The Malibu Planning Commission this week put its stamp of approval on a slate of new projects, including one that will create a valet parking system and new restaurant at the Malibu Lumberyard.
Other approvals included project 14 years in the making to install a new staircase and parking lot for beach access on Malibu Road and an extension of operating hours at Coogie’s.
Lumberyard getting valet, new restaurant
A new restaurant in the Malibu Lumberyard finally gained approval for an extended service area, after a trial period of valet parking went off without a hitch, according to the applicant. The restaurant is set to be located above Café Habana.
Two amendments were made to the proposal before it was passed: the first extended the days during which valet parking would be required and the second wrote in mandatory reviews to take place within one year and within five years of the first review, to ensure parking was not causing congestion on the Pacific Coast Highway.
But not all the commissioners were sold on the deal.
“We’re talking about adding a restaurant… and that’s 134 seats,” said Commissioner John Mazza who expressed concern over the few parking spaces that will be added, “that’s seven and a half people per car.”
He was the only commissioner who voted against the item.
“There are times when valet parking is just not required in that lot. There’s a low demand for parking once you remove all the cars that should not be there,” city staffers pointed out.
Vice chair David Brotman moved that valet be daily during peak shopping hours, in the weeks between Thanksgiving and early January, as well as Labor Day Weekend.
His motion carried and the commission granted the new service area and valet stipulations with a 4-1 vote.
Coogie’s open late for business
Coogie’s Restaurant, located at Malibu Colony Shopping Center, won its bid for extended hours to stay open until 1 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday nights. Commissioners also OK’ed a more extensive liquor license, despite concern that it may lose its family atmosphere.
Brotman again spoke up, asking representative Gigi Goyette whether Coogie’s would lose its identity with the new changes.
“Do you have any expectation of changing the type or mode of operation of Coogie’s?” asked Brotman, “Am I going to walk down there and find Hooters?”
Goyette said that the changes were not intended to bring in a party atmosphere, but would make it possible for Coogie’s to keep down prices while providing dinner to late-night diners.
“People coming home later from shows in town … or after a movie can come and have a nice dinner, because there’s only one other place in Malibu where people can do that,” said Goyette, adding, “It would greatly help keep the restaurant open. [The owner] doesn’t want to raise the prices.”
More public access on Malibu Road
Scrambling down a steep hill for beach access just east of Bluffs Park will soon be a thing of the past, with a brand new parking lot and staircase approved in the 24000 block of Malibu Road.
The staircase first won approval from the Coastal Commission in 2002 but faced legal challenges and had its permits expire before breaking ground. The plan’s been a long time coming, according to members of the public and commissioners who spoke at Monday’s meeting.
Joan Cardelino, previous project manager for the Coastal Conservancy, said she’s seen the project through all 14 years and is thankful that it will finally come to fruition.
“We have a wonderful design,” said Cardelino, adding, “it’s going to be a very nice facility, heavily used by the public, I think, that are already using this site.”
Michael Klubock, executive director of the Malibu Foundation of Environmental Education, also spoke out in support.
“A kid who stops by here and has access to the ocean could be the one who takes the message of clean beaches and oceans to millions, and that benefits us all,” said Klubock.
Vice Chair David Brotman voiced his agreement.
“Fourteen years is too long,” said Brotman.
Questions about Americans with Disabilities Act compliance were later raised by Brotman, but concerns over engineering and budget difficulties made the conversion into a ramp impossible, according to planners.
Benches, however, seemed more doable, with a plan to add rest areas at two points along the stairway’s descent.
“When you get to be my age, those benches come in really handy,” Brotman said.