Land-planning firm head Don Schmitz brings decades of experience and connections in business and politics to his new role as Chamber of Commerce President.
By Michael Aushenker / Special to The Malibu Times
A new year means a new president for the Malibu Chamber of Commerce. Don Schmitz was sworn in on Jan. 18 to serve for the 2012-13 calendar year. Schmitz, an expert in land development consulting and permit expediting, has extensive experience and connections in California’s business and development circles.
Within the chamber, Schmitz has been on the board for about three years and ran the chamber’s governmental affairs committee for a couple years before that.
“I’m pretty firmly committed to what is an excellent organization,” Schmitz said. “Unlike other communities, the folks in this town deal with pretty substantial regulatory concerns that people in other communities don’t have to deal with.”
Schmitz mentioned the moratorium on septic systems in the Civic Center, more restrictive standards on water pressure by the county fire department, and city fees and permits as examples.
As the president and principal planner of Schmitz & Associates, a land-use planning firm he formed in 1990, Schmitz has fully staffed offices in Malibu and Agoura Hills that tackle all aspects of residential, commercial and public projects.
“I love, love land,” Schmitz said. “It’s so beautiful. It’s an honor to design sensitive, beautiful projects that are an asset to a livable community. It’s yeoman’s work. It’s good stuff.”
Originally from Granada Hills, Schmitz received his Bachelor of Arts in Geography at UC Santa Barbara and his Masters of Geography and Land Use Planning at Cal State Long Beach in 1989. In 1987-89, he worked as a private analyst with the California Coastal Commission before launching his firm.
Schmitz said he is looking forward to developing new opportunities for chamber members. Future chamber projects include workshops for members to receive training in social media and a shop local program.
“We’re working with the local retailers and restaurants to offer discounts,” he said. “We’re also going to be diligent in regards to things happening in Sacramento. And we’re going to keep fostering our relationship with the City Council.”
In mid-March, the chamber will host a candidate forum in advance of April’s City Council election.
“We intend to ask pointed questions to the candidates of what they intend to do to improve the viability of businesses in Malibu,” he said. “We will be making endorsements after the forum.”
Schmitz said he looks forward to deepening ties between the business community and Malibu’s city government.
“To its credit, the City has engaged in outreach to the California Coastal Commission to improve its relationship,” Schmitz said, reversing Malibu’s contentious reputation of years past. “In fact, it’s a very caring, very environmentally conscious community.”
Schmitz believes his background in land use consulting and experience with the Coastal Commission and other state agencies will help him as Chamber president.
“I think I’m uniquely situated to this process,” Schmitz said. “I hope to continue that outreach to improve that working relationship between the municipal government, the coastal community and Coastal Commission. What I’d like to see happen is a healthy and vibrant business community that serves our town and its visitors.”
Schmitz has lived in Malibu since 1991. The father of three lives on a ranch with his sons Donald III, 16, and Kade, 14, and daughter Danika, 12.
“She’s all about the horses and the boys are all about the football,” Schmitz said, laughing.
A widower, Schmitz lost his wife, Casandra, five years ago.
“She was a wonderful mother,” he said.
An acre of his property is devoted to his vineyard. As a vintner, Schmitz produces cabernet sauvignon under the Malibu Solstice label, which is sold in local stores.