Council declines to change name of De Butts Terrace, citing historical significance. Fight nearly breaks out between city employee and community
activist.
By Jonathan Friedman / Assistant Editor
With some council members saying they were concerned about Malibu losing its heritage, the City Council on Monday night declined to honor the request of De Butts Terrace residents to change the name of the street to Paradise View Way. The council asked for the residents to come back at the next meeting in two weeks with a proposal on how the street name could be changed and the deButts family, for which the street is named, still be honored.
After hearing the council request, Allison Thomsen, one of 19 property owners on the 34-parcel street who wanted the name change due to what she said was its derogatory connotation, informally proposed during the meeting that a monument could be built in recognition for the family. Councilmember Pamela Conley Ulich said a new street name could still include at least one of the names of the family members, suggesting the name “Marianne Paradise View Way.”
The deButts family was one of the early pioneers in Malibu. Forrest deButts, at age 7, began writing a column for The Malibu Times titled “Squeaky Mesa” (the name she gave to the area where she lives, which includes the street that bears her family’s name) in the 1950s. The column existed for only a brief time, but returned in 1970, authored by the married Forrest deButts-Moore. She later moved with her family to Alaska, and deButts-Moore’s mother, Marianne deButts, took over the column in the mid-70s. She continued to write it until the week she died in December 1987.
“In this particular case, I am troubled by the loss of Malibu’s historical references, and I am not going to be able to support this,” Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Jennings said regarding the name change proposal.
Sharon Barovsky and Andy Stern were the only council members prepared to approve the name change on Monday.
Stern said, “While I appreciate the nostalgia, we are talking about quality of life…. These [De Butts residents] people have to deal with this on a daily basis.”
De Butts residents said their street name is often ridiculed, and they said it is hard on their children. Resident Charles Schette said because of that, he has not told his preschool age son the name of the street.
“As a preschooler it would be inappropriate for this to be in his vocabulary, or for him to be teased about it,” Schette said.
De Butts resident Thomsen said the street’s name has been hijacked by those who wished to make cruel jokes.
“You can imagine how they would be with terms like, ‘going up De Butts’ and others like that,” Thomsen said.
Mayor Ken Kearsley, who said he taught Forrest deButts in high school and often spent time at the home of her parents, Marianne and Ed deButts, expressed disappointment over the situation.
“There is a heritage that is lost [if the street name were changed],” Kearsley said. “And it’s just too bad that we have people in this world who attribute something [derogatory to the name]. It’s too bad that the poor people up in Squeaky Mesa have to put up with that.”
Hillside ordinance approved
Also at the meeting, the council approved an ordinance specifying rules for development on hillsides, bringing an end to a debate that began before most of the current council members were elected. The new law, which will go into effect next month, deals with properties on the inland side of Pacific Highway that are on a natural slope greater than 30 percent. According to the ordinance, hillside development must be 25 percent smaller than what would be allowed if the property were on a flat parcel. Also, a structure can be no taller than 35 feet from the lowest point of the property to the highest point. Driveways must “follow the natural topographic contours of the property.” Additions of 900 square feet or less, pools and spas are exempt from the standards established by the hillside ordinance.
Additionally, at the meeting the council instructed the Parks and Recreation Commission to examine the possibility of selling naming rights to fields or other items on the recently purchased city portion of Bluffs Park. Also, the council instructed the Public Safety Commission to investigate the need for improvements to Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 71, which is located in Point Dume on Pacific Coast Highway.
Tension flares after meeting
Community activist John Mazza and Malibu Environmental and Community Development Director Vic Peterson got into a heated argument following the council meeting that nearly turned violent. While residents and city officials were gathering their personal items, preparing to leave City Hall, Peterson overheard Mazza telling another person, “The city staff doesn’t bother to read their own staff reports.” Peterson then said that Mazza was “full of [expletive].” This sparked a brief argument concluding with Mazza saying, “You’re corrupt.” Mazza then walked outside of City Hall.
A few moments later, Peterson ran outside and confronted Mazza. Inches away from the community activist, Peterson repeated Mazza’s accusation and demanded an explanation as he pointed at him. Mazza then said, “What are you going to do, punch me? I’ve got all these witnesses here. I’ll file assault charges.” City Council meeting regular Norm Haynie then intervened, standing between the two. He said, “Just walk away, John.”
The confrontation concluded with Mazza telling Peterson, “I said you were morally corrupt.” (Mazza had not actually included the word “morally” in his original accusation inside City Hall.) Mazza then walked to his car.