Although most Malibu residents say they want to preserve the rural residential character of the community, the current City Council consistently approves large-scale projects over the objections of both the community at large and the neighborhoods where these projects are to be located.
Cases in point: The Malibu Bay Company development. (Measure M, which was turned down by all five members of the appointed planning commission). The majority of residents recognized the serious flaws in the proposed agreement, but the Council did not.
35 acres of the Trancas field just west of Trancas Canyon road: The General Plan and Malibu zoning ordinances allow seven single family houses. The current council approved, without environmental review, 32 townhouses of at least 4,000 square feet each. They approved this large project over the strenuous objections of the surrounding neighbors who will be negatively affected by this excessive development. As a result, local homeowners are suing the city.
Latigo Canyon: again over the objection of the surrounding homeowners, the council voted to change the zoning on four parcels totaling 120 acres. The earlier zoning had allowed only four houses. There will now be eight large houses sitting on top of a ridgeline. This could set an unfortunate precedent for a higher density of development of all the large parcels along Latigo Canyon Road. The local residents have announced that they will be filing suit against the city.
When called upon to consider a decrease in the density of development, the council has not been nearly so flexible. Next to the Malibu Lagoon is a parcel that is zoned for 40 new houses, a development that would further pollute Mailbu Lagoon and Surfrider Beach. The council is aware of this, but has failed to take action. Current City Council members have consistently ignored the community’s desire to uphold current zoning, responding instead to the interests of developers. The council complains about citizens’ lawsuits, but these lawsuits would never have been filed if the council had followed the city’s zoning plan. Malibu deserves better. It is time to remove the incumbent City Council members.
Steven R. Landaal