Because of the state of the economy, Malibu commercial property owners want to be able to have more than six events per year as limited by law, so local businesses can promote themselves with parties, music and other occasions.
By Laura Tate / Associate Publisher/Editor
The Malibu Chamber of Commerce is going to bat for businesses operating in Malibu so they can be allowed to have more than six events per year at any one location, which is the maximum allowed by city law.
In addition to the temporary use permit ordinance for commercial properties, the city had passed an ordinance last year limiting the number of events at residences, after Malibu residents complained about excessive beach house parties hosted by companies that threw “branding” parties and invited celebrities to promote those brands. The ordinance limits parties of more than 100 people, or those with “any commercial component,” to four per year at homes.
Chamber CEO Rebekah Evans wrote a letter to the city council regarding the issue prior to Monday’s council meeting, hoping the council would put the item on its agenda. However, the council did not address the issue. It had listed the item to be discussed at its quarterly meeting in October.
“We feel that while the current maximum of 6 TUP events a year is appropriate for residentially zone properties, commercial properties should be allowed greater flexibility,” Evans wrote. “We appreciate the city’s interest in placing this on a quarterly council discussion, but we feel that this issue is more extremely important and we encourage the city to move this up on your agenda for discussion.”
(Evans acknowledged in a Tuesday interview that residential TUPs are limited to four events per year, not six.)
Evans continued in her letter, “With the current economic climate, and the limits on number of TUP’s available to commercial properties, we would encourage the city to discuss improvements prior to the summer season. It would be of benefit to business and the city to improve revenue through special events and promotions during the upcoming months. One of the concerns is that 6 TUP’s per commercial property is not sufficient, if the properties have multiple businesses set on one property.”
Evans said Tuesday that with the city now owning the Malibu Lumber Yard property, where a shopping mall now exists, and two other commercial properties nearby, it might behoove council members to consider the request as it would benefit the city if businesses do well on property it owns.
The Malibu Country Mart, next door to the Lumber Yard mall, had planned a summer series of Thursday night events with music to help bring attention to its stores and businesses at Cross Creek Road; however, because of the TUP limitation it cannot continue the events throughout the summer.
With the economy as it is “our vendors need to reach out more,” Evans said. “That’s why we’re [the chamber] trying to be more proactive.”