The Malibu City Council on Monday unanimously approved a finalized agreement to swap its lease on 532-acre Charmlee Wilderness Park for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s lease on 83 acres of Bluffs Park.
The controversial park exchange gives both the city and the conservancy up to five years to explore possible uses and development at each site. No actual development or construction can take place while the lease swap is in effect, but the city is expected to extensively research the possibility of building a sports and recreational area at Bluffs Park.
The SMMC is expected to push for the installation of campsites at Charmlee, something nearby neighbors fear will increase the risk of wildfire danger. If both sides are satisfied, a permanent park trade could eventually take place.
As part of the same motion, the council also agreed to settle a years-old lawsuit with SMMC over the uses of Ramirez Canyon Park.
Two locals spoke in favor of the swap proposal and possibilities of having more ballfields in the community, while many spoke against it. Resident/activist Hans Laetz said a lack of baseball field space impinges Malibu’s ability to host larger-scope little league games.
“Anyone who’s had to explain at other little leagues why we don’t invite them here [to play], it’s because we don’t have a field for them,” Laetz said.
Opponents demanded the city council put the lease swap on a November ballot and allow residents to decide whether the proposal is a good idea for the city.
“This should go to ballot. This is so important. There’s so many acres of Charmlee,” said Malibu local Carla McCloskey.
Councilman Lou La Monte grew angry with swap opponents, arguing they have overreacted to the city considering the swap. He cautioned that the lease swap is not a permanent deal and the city could cancel the swap at any point and might eventually decide against a permanent land trade.
“We’ll find out all of it over the next 5 years, which is what this lease is all about,” he said.