In April, 2008, the voters of Malibu overwhelmingly approved a ballot Measure E calling on the city to “adopt an ordinance that would require the removal or trimming of landscaping in order to restore and maintain primary views from private homes.”
The City Council responded by directing a citizens committee be formed to develop a citywide ordinance. The committee completed its task last June, crafting a judicious and provident ordinance that entails a neighborly process to resolve disputes while minimizing the involvement of the city.
It is a reasonable and responsible ordinance that we hope will get a fair hearing from the City Council, notwithstanding specious arguments of suspect opponents who want to subvert Measure E for questionable personal and political reasons.
Therefore it is important that those who voted last year for Measure E with the hope that an credible ordinance would be effected again make their feelings known by letter or attendance at the upcoming council meeting on Sept. 29, and gird themselves for a protracted process in the months ahead.
The views and values of your property are at stake, as is the credibility of the city’s democratic process.
Sam Hall Kaplan