Concerns over environmental impact, as well as traffic and
parking, are voiced by nonprofit environmentalist groups. Commissioner Ed Lipnick resigns.
By Lori Porter/Special to The Malibu Times
After three hours of hearing testimony and discussing concerns at last week’s meeting, the Planning Commission put on hold the certification of the environmental impact report (EIR) and final approval of plans for the Forge Lodge, a planned 32-unit bed and breakfast.
The commission decided there were too many issues that still needed to be resolved before certification could take place.
The lodge project, proposed by the owners of the BeauRivage restaurant, Daniel and Lucia Forge, has been in the pre-planning and design stage for at least 20 years.
The planned eight, small two-story buildings would be located just west of the restaurant, which is on Pacific Coast Highway near Corral Canyon, near Solstice Creek.
The fact that it is located in the vicinity of the creek alarms some environmentalists.
Representatives from various nonprofit organizations such as the Sierra Club and Heal the Bay, in addition to many of Malibu’s residents, spoke on behalf of the environment, urging the commission to take its time and examine all the ramifications the lodge could have on the creek, verified as an environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA). Adding to these concerns is the recent state approval for the reintroduction of steelhead trout into Solstice Creek.
Other concerns for the ESHA and surrounding open space include the possibility of chlorinated water from the bed and breakfast’s swimming pool leaking into the ground water, along with fire hazards from fireplaces, traffic and parking problems, and the preservation of oak trees on the property.
However, architect Mike Barsocchini assured the commission that new technology for cleaning swimming pools, which eliminates the use of chemical solutions, would be employed. Planners of the project also eased concerns over the loss of trees saying they have already evaluated and tagged trees to be preserved on the property.
Barsocchini presented a rendering of the project asking those present, “What is it that Malibu wants?”
He pointed to his exhibit saying, “Here is a low-density bed and breakfast, which offers 68 percent of the site to open space, a project hidden away in nature, tucked into an environment where people can hike, walk to waterfalls, walk under the highway to the ocean and use the existing restaurant.”
Alluding to the concerns over traffic, Barsocchini added, “No driving needed.”
But having only one ingress and one regress onto the highway from the site, and no traffic signal, is what alarms some residents and those on the Planning Commission. Adding fuel to the fire, Commissioner Deirdre Roney revealed that while visiting the site and investigating parking and traffic issues, she witnessed an accident.
Dampening the various concerns, resident Zachary Taylor stated that his quality of life has been enhanced by the many times he has dined at the BeauRivage restaurant.
“I’m a lover of nature,” Taylor said, “but BeauRivage is a monument to ‘Old World’ grace and charm.”
Daniel Forge told the Planning Commission that patrons of his restaurant often say they wish they did not have to leave Malibu after dining there and that he simply wanted to fulfill that need by building the 32-unit bed and breakfast. He also commented that many painters come to his restaurant, setting up their canvases outside to capture the beauty of his site.
Acknowledging the concerns of all representatives, Commissioner Robert Adler said, “Below the ground is important, but above the ground is equally important,” adding that good planning and good choices take time.
It was more than three years ago that the first solicitation for public comments on the scope of the EIR took place. But in agreement with Commissioner Adler’s comment, the commission announced that the matter of the Forge Lodge would be continued to the next Planning Commission meeting set for Oct. 2.
Additionally, at Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Ed Lipnick announced his regretful resignation.
Lipnick, who has lived in Malibu for 40 years, told the commissioners that he was proud of the good work they have all accomplished over the years.
“It’s been a great honor to serve on this commission,” Lipnick said, just before leaving the auditorium.
“I’ve learned that democracy is difficult. Everyone, I urge you to give a little. Malibu is a wonderful place.”