Further opposition is voiced against the project. Public comment on the university’s expansion project is due Jan. 10.
By Erica Andrews / Special to The Malibu Times
Pepperdine University representatives presented the school’s expansion plans to the city at Monday night’s council meeting, during which more than a dozen people spoke in opposition or in support of the planned additions.
The plan, called the Campus Life Project, consists of, among other things, renovating residential housing on campus, which would add 468 beds, expanding athletic stadium seating by almost 2,000, adding outdoor lighting to the women’s soccer field, building a welcome center and making a parking lot for the School of Law. Many of the last renovations of the university took place in the 1970s and representatives from the campus say the updates are much needed.
However, Malibu Country Estates residents voiced their worry that the new improvements will add unwanted traffic to an already busy area.
Homeowner Benjamin Efraim said during the public comment portion of the meeting, “We really would appreciate it if the city took a stance opposing the scope and magnitude of the proposed developments. The traffic is already bad and the existing sports facility has been a constant source of annoyance and disturbance, with people parking or congregating. This is a very small sports facility in comparison to what they’re planning on building.”
While the city can issue a vote of confidence or no confidence regarding the project, it does not have any permitting authority since the university lies within unincorporated Los Angeles borders. The university’s project must receive approval from the county and then the Coastal Commission.
Two mothers, Ellen Shane and Teri Love, who lost their children in accidents on Pacific Coast Highway, also expressed worry over traffic from the Pepperdine expansion. They believe some type of program should be implemented in order to teach students about the dangers of the road.
Cindy Starrett, attorney at Latham & Watkins, who represents Pepperdine University in the expansion project, said that adding more student housing could actually decrease traffic on the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding areas.
“The daily traffic will actually get better because those daily commute trips become resident trips,” she said. “Many of the events that occur are going to be attended by people on campus. It’s relatively rare that we have a lot of off campus visitors.”
In a previous story, Malibu Country Estates resident Bob Brisken dismissed the idea that less traffic would be incurred with more housing on campus. “It’s just counterintuitive,” he had said.
Starrett said Pepperdine will also be working with the county, their neighbors and a traffic engineer on mitigation plans for when there is a major event on campus, in order to avoid traffic issues.
The City Council, while not yet allowed to talk about the Pepperdine presentation, maintained that they are actively involved in the matter and have had someone present at all the meetings regarding it.
“In terms of the Malibu Estates, the city is not going to be a passive observer, we’re going to have an opinion and all of the City Council will be able to weigh in on it,” Councilmember Lou La Monte said.
Public comments on the project are due by Jan. 10. More information on the proposed project can be found online at http://www.pepperdine.edu/campus-life-project/. The draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) can be found at http://planning.lacounty.gov/case/view/project_no_2007_03064_3_conditional_use_permit_2007_00203_parking_permit.
Comments on the DEIR can be submitted to Kim Szalay of the County’s Department of Regional Planning at kszalay@planning.lacounty.gov.
Implementation of volunteer program slowed
In response to the new Volunteers on Patrol (VOP) Program, the council discussed the progress made toward fully implementing this endeavor. Through the program, volunteers will help to alleviate the burden placed on Sheriff’s deputies by assisting with things like vacation checks, traffic control and DUI check points.
Public Safety Commissioner Chair Carol Randall said she had solicited a possible car donation from local car dealerships for this program, but due to the economy, they were not able to help at this time. She was hoping that someone in the community could donate a vehicle to the program.
“We need a donation of the vehicle and we need to see how many people are interested before we go further,” Commissioner David Saul said. “Are they really willing to spend the time to do this, we just might be running in quicksand.”
If they are able to secure a vehicle and enough volunteers for the VOP program, this will allow them to go forward with their plan.
Updates and progress on new City Hall
Administrative Services Director Reva Feldman summarized the progress made toward the new City Hall renovations. She discussed the purchase of up-to-date audio and visual equipment, furniture and broadcast equipment. More than $5.6 million dollars has been allocated for the renovations, including $640,000 appropriated for the design process. There was also an additional $18,000 used toward the total funding, which resulted from surplus property sale. This means no additional funds are needed at this time.
Securing used furniture from stores and companies that have gone out of business, Feldman said, made substantial savings. They will also be reusing audio and video equipment from the current city hall in the new building.
Councilmember Pamela Conley Ulich said she was concerned with the total cost of the audio and video equipment. Feldman explained that while they will be using most of the existing equipment, certain updates were crucial since the new space is larger and different types of technology are needed. In addition, no updates have been made to equipment in almost two years. The new City Hall is still on schedule to be completed by March 2011.
City Council Actions
– The council accepted the work performed by Oak Tree Construction for the Paradise Cove Stormwater Treatment Facility as complete.
– Villa Mar Place was adopted as a private street and thereby changing the address of three parcels on Kanan Dume Road.
– Proclamation made declaring Dec. 16 as a “Day Without a Bag” in the City of Malibu.