The application for the property owned by Larry Ellison does not refer to a development agreement with the city that would give $400,000 to the local school district.
By Jonathan Friedman / Assistant Editor
Software tycoon Larry Ellison’s proposal not to go through with a development agreement he had with the city could mean a loss of $400,000 for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Planning Manager C.J. Amstrup said at last Wednesday’s City Council quarterly review meeting that the city had received an application to remodel the Windsail Restaurant, which is located on Pacific Coast Highway near the Malibu Pier.
Multibillionaire Ellison bought the property from local real estate mogul Richard Weintraub in 2004, more than a year after Weintraub had cut a deal with the city to tear down the existing structure and be allowed to construct a new restaurant on the site in exchange for a $400,000 donation to the school district, and an agreement to allow part of the restaurant to be used as a community meeting room during certain hours of the day.
But Craig George, environmental and building safety manager, said at the quarterly meeting it was his understanding that Ellison, who was not mentioned by name, was only interested in doing a remodel of the current structure. He would not be seeking any variances on the city code, and therefore not need any special considerations that would force him to make the donation.
George said Ellison had also recently applied to remodel the PierView Cafe, which is located next to Windsail. Ellison bought PierView in 2003 for an undisclosed sum from longtime owner Chuck Spencer. Since then, the property has remained closed. PierView and Windsail are located behind a locked chain fence, and appear as if they are sitting on a single property.
Several council members said they were concerned about the latest development, and the possibility of the city not receiving the amenities it had believed it would be getting. They asked whether it was possible for Ellison to simply back out of the agreement. Amstrup said he would speak with City Attorney Christi Hogin and return with information at the Feb. 13 council meeting.
The planning manager further told the council that there had been a significant increase in the number of people asking about vacant or under-utilized commercial properties in Malibu. He said he believed there would be an increase in commercial development permit applications this year.
Council votes for emergency supplies
Also at the meeting, the council voted to designate $60,000 of general fund money toward the purchase of emergency supplies that would be needed in case of a catastrophic disaster in Malibu. The supplies will include blankets, food, water and other things that would be needed in a disaster. They will be put in containers that will be placed in different parts of the city.
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Brad Davis said he is working on a complex emergency preparedness program for the city, and having the containers with the supplies placed throughout the city is one of those components.
Councilmember Jeff Jennings voted against the $60,000 designation. He said his vote was not because he was against the project, but he felt more comfortable waiting for Davis to present his entire emergency preparedness progam before designating the money.