In the last few weeks, two more Civic Center landowners have initiated the EIR (Environmental Impact Report) scoping process for their commercial development projects in our Civic Center. These projects are in addition to the Malibu Bay Company project already in EIR review.
Malibu citizens need to know the cumulative impact of all these development projects in our Civic Center and Trancas. At present the following projects are proposed: Malibu Bay Company (in EIR)-290,000 square feet (Civic Center and Trancas); La Paz Property (scoping for EIR)-155,000 square feet (Civic Center); Schultz Property (scoping for EIR)-46,500 square feet (Civic Center).
These three projects alone add up to almost 500,000 square feet of development and there is more to come. We need to understand there are other major development projects already approved or being proposed that could ultimately mean almost 1 million square feet of commercial development in our Civic Center alone. Along with this overwhelming square footage are the traffic, parking, visual, wastewater, water supply and environmental challenges.
Malibu residents need to be vigilant in forcing adherence to our City’s General Plan Mission Statement that reads, “Malibu will maintain its rural character by establishing programs and policies that avoid suburbanization and commercialization of its natural and cultural resources.” What development do we actually need and how can we ensure minimal impact on our quality of life and beautiful environment? As voters and taxpayers, it is our responsibility to pay close attention to all actions taken by our City Council, Planning Commission and city staff in regards to commercial development projects that come before them. What would Malibu rather have in the heart of its city-parks or parking lots?
Tami Clark