As president of the Malibu Association of Realtors, I was invited to a meeting held Jan. 15 at the Malibu Community Center Auditorium representing the Malibu Association of Realtors.
The meeting was called for by a group of Malibu property owners and residents. Discussions at that meeting were concerning current building and zoning code violation within the city of Malibu.
The Malibu Association of Realtors position on this issue is:
1. The city policy of zoning and code enforcement primarily by “neighbor turn in” as stated by the city manager is bad policy which creates fear and bad feelings between neighbors. Criminal prosecution of zoning code violations should only be used as a last resort and the city of Malibu should adopt the policy of having a “Neighbor Zoning Panel” get together with the parties and try and mediate or set up a reasonable time schedule for violation corrections.
2. Guest houses should be recognized within the city of Malibu as a necessary housing element of providing our residents with low-income affordable housing.
3. The city of Malibu should fulfill its promise of “grandfathering” in all buildings existing as of the date of city incorporation. This is an absolute. There should be no fines, penalties or retribution for these structures, their owners or their occupants. It should be encouraged that these buildings be brought up to code if an owner desires, they may become permitted and inspected under the city exemption program.
I hope the Malibu City Council will view these comments as constructive and address these issues immediately.
Terry Lucoff