As former Mayors, we have not always agreed, but we are united in our concerns about how Measure R will affect our community. We believe Measure R’s inconsistencies and overreach could result in lawsuits, which would cripple the City. Worse, it could result in increased development and devastating unintended consequences. Here are only a few of our major concerns:
1. Measure R calls for a vote on projects over 20,000 square feet throughout Malibu. Not only would it be a costly nightmare to constantly run special elections, more importantly, the City Attorney has warned that if a project is voted down, “the City could face monetary liability.” Eventually, it could bankrupt the City.
2. Measure R states that one of its purposes is to limit chain stores in Malibu, but it grants a huge “special exemption,” giving one center the right to have approximately 90% chain stores. That’s double what the City’s new ordinance allows.
3. Measure R could open the door to much greater commercial density than the City now allows. Under Malibu’s present law, a commercial landowner can only develop 15% of his land (85% must be left to open space). But with voter approval, the sky is the limit and the increased density could be enormous. The proponents say, “That will never happen.” But how do they know?
4. Measure R is fraught with unintended consequences. For instance, the Urgent Care negotiated a deal to move to a new location in the Civic Center with lower rent and a long-term economic subsidy that will allow it to expand its services. “Friends of Urgent Care” have warned that Measure R could kill that deal. Also, the movie theater in the exempted center has been given notice and could be replaced with three chain stores or one big Burger King.
Unlike laws passed by the Council, Measure R held no public hearings, received no public input and heard no debate. We ask that you study the initiative carefully and read the City Attorney’s Impartial Analysis. Remember, once an initiative is passed, it can only be changed by another initiative or a lawsuit. Both are time-consuming and costly. Malibu cannot afford Measure R.
Sharon Barovsky, Joan House, Jeff Jennings, Andy Stern, John Sibert, Lou LaMonte, Laura Rosenthal and Ken Kearsley