With the free market and equal ownership rights as primary concerns, the Malibu Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to its members asking them to oppose the drafting of an ordinance that would regulate chain stores in Malibu’s Civic Center.
“Supporters of this proposal say the goal of the ordinance is to “sustain” local business. However, we believe that nationally recognized businesses actually help smaller local businesses succeed by attracting a larger customer base to our centers,” the letter stated. The letter was written collectively by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
The message comes after several months of high-tension arguments between locals who fear an increase of big chain stores in Malibu and opponents of regulation who emphasize the need to let the free market flow and allow customers to speak with their wallets.
A community town hall meeting to gather input on the city’s plans to draft a formula retail ordinance and define “community-serving business” is scheduled for Thurs., Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. in City Hall’s Multipurpose Room.
“It is imperative that decision-makers hear from business owners like you,” the letter said. “We ask that you join us at this meeting in telling the City that a Formula Retail Ordinance would do more harm than good.”
To read the letter in its entirety, see the attached PDF.
At a City Council meeting in November, Councilman John Sibert admonished the Chamber for not doing more to work toward a compromise that would accommodate both the business community and concerned residents.
“I didn’t see an attempt to find a middle ground, and I had hoped the Chamber would do that,” Sibert said.
The City Council directed city staff to hold next week’s meeting in response to community outcry in recent weeks over the closure of several small businesses in Malibu and the push for a retail or small business ordinance in Malibu.
The meeting will be broken into two segments, one to address provisions in a drafted retail ordinance and the other to refine the definition of “community-serving businesses” in Malibu.