I have read much about the pros and cons of Measure M, the Malibu Bay Company (MRC) Development Agreement that we vote on this November 4 and it got me thinking (I do that every so often) about traffic. In addition to the major commercial development created by Measure M (which will bring 10,000-14,0000 more cars daily), there are additional large development plans on the books for the open properties at the corner of Civic Center Way and Cross Creek Road (including a major drug store). If the sewer system does happen it means that all future developers in the Civic Center area will be able to develop what they want (since they no longer have to worry about how they will handle their wastewater on site). In addition, Measure M permanently changes our General Plan and zoning ordinances that will remove development limits on each site!
My thinking (there I go again) is that all these new buildings and businesses will need lots of new employees. These people will be coming (by car) from the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica and places near and far, east, west, north, and south. These employees will be serving more people who will also be coming from out of Malibu to use the new businesses (these developers are counting on this). All this development ultimately brings tons of traffic to and from our Civic Center with parking in the meantime. (Yes, there will be plenty of paved parking lots to create more run off into our lagoon and beaches).
I think (the steam is building here) we need to only encourage development that truly serves the needs of our community and doesn’t have such a terrible impact on the quality of life for us who live here. All this thinking has ultimately made me tired but with all the new traffic and gridlock, I’ll probably not venture out much anymore and just stay home and sleep. I think not. I’m voting “no.” The Citizens of Malibu deserve a better agreement.
Ruby Fader