The Measure R debate was lacking specifics:
1. Local business has trouble competing with corporate economy (Costco, Amazon) and not rent structure, even if 70% of space is available.
2. Chain stores are limited to 10 worldwide. Will a Subway successfully owned by a local resident not be allowed? Would a boutique leather shop in Canada with 16 stores worldwide but only two in U.S. be banished?
3. Will “community” benefits be provided with developable area already very low — 1/10 of other coastal communities? “Community uses” (movie theater, emergency care facility, community garden, Shane’s Park, etc.) would no longer be feasible.
4. In regard to septic system use, Civic Center treatment plant cost borne by Civic Center stakeholders would be withdrawn. State Water Quality Board will close down commercial septic systems on Nov. 5, 2015 and surrounding residential areas — including Colony and Serra Retreat — septic systems after Nov. 5, 2019.
5. Isn’t existing review process reasonable — Environmental Impact Report, Planning Commission review, City Council approval, code limiting chain retail to 45%. If this measure passes, plans go to a public vote and then through the current multi-step process, with risk of changes requiring a re-vote of residents.
6. With the only remodel of the Lumber Yard adding area since 1988 when the Ralph’s Center built, the traffic increase is largely due to increasing beach and tourist traffic.
7. In regard to the legality of the referendum, there will be several lawsuits. Mammoth was successfully sued by a single developer for $160 million and has still not recovered. Malibu’s entire annual budget is $33 million. At minimum, the City will have to bear legal fees and likely judgments.
8. The last minute exclusion of one specific center, which was sold one month later, why is there such a coincidence? Was this a friend of the parties, sponsoring the referendum?
Why weren’t these questions asked and answered more thoroughly? Malibu is not experiencing the same rampant development as Santa Monica. City council, belatedly, put controls on chain stores. This measure provides little to gain and potentially a lot to lose.
Ron Goldman