March featured the reopening of the Malibu Lagoon, discussion of a chain store ordinance and new details on a project to renovate Malibu and Topanga’s water systems:
-Malibu High School expansion clears the Planning Commission despite an ongoing battle with some of the neighbors about the amount of lighting on the playing fields and the expanded 150 space parking lot, ultimately agreeing to limiting the parking lot light to 31 nights per year.
-The newly redesigned, modified and replanted Malibu Lagoon, previously the scene of many pickets and an ongoing controversy, opened to high praise from the State Parks Department, which declared a victory in the face of considerable skepticism from many Malibu neighbors. Time will tell if the park is going to be a long-term success.
-The ever-controversial proposed Malibu Chain Store Ordinance, pushed by its proponents to protect and keep Malibu “mom and pops” in business, continued slowly wending its way through the Malibu political process. Shopping center owners charged the ordinance would have the opposite impact intended and make it harder for small businesses to survive. The ordinance eventually went through several iterations this year and will probably end up as a local ballot initiative or, ultimately, in front of a judge.
-The Malibu water system, which brings drinkable water to Malibu, is old, tired, worn out and provides an inadequate supply of water for fire protection in many areas of Malibu. A study by the county estimated it will take $266 million to update the Malibu/Topanga water system. The proposed project is long-term, estimated for construction over the next 22 years.