Q and A with the MCC Candidates

• Part Three of a Series on 2010 Malibu Political Issues

BY BILL KOENEKER

A 25-question survey was distributed to the ten city council candidates by the Malibu Surfside News. Seven candidates tackled an array of complex local issues and policy questions that were included.
The council hopefuls were asked what is their perspective on commercial development in the community, including La Paz and the expansion of the Trancas Center.
Ed Gillespie said both projects came before him when he was on the planning commission and were approved.
Laura Rosenthal said she believes in balancing resident and community needs. “Especially in the Civic Center, it is important to have a comprehensive plan and not just piecemeal projects that might blight our city. We must control development and maintain the small town, rural feel of Malibu. Future projects must strengthen and enhance our city and pass my ‘resident litmus test.’ Is it good for Malibu? Does it enhance and protect our unique beautiful city for our residents? Is it environmentally responsible? What about traffic?” she said.
Rosenthal described the proposed Trancas Country Market as providing much needed amenities for western Malibu and a gathering place for teens.
John Mazza indicated the city now has adequate zoning to allow new commercial development, “which will equal over six new Malibu Colony Plazas in size.” He insists “that is enough to provide for any expansion in population for many years. There is no need to increase our density requirements. I believe any future development must be planned,” he said. Mazza noted the currently approved La Paz and Trancas center were designed to meet density requirements.
Mike Sidley said he did not want Malibu overdeveloped. “I do not want to turn Malibu into Laguna Beach. But I am in favor of well planned commercial development. This calls for the enactment of specific plans for all of our commercial centers, the Civic Center, Point Dume and Trancas. Without a specific plan we find ourselves making development decisions on an ad hoc parcel by parcel basis. The problems with this approach are evidenced by the city’s decisions on both the La Paz and Trancas Center expansion. In both cases the city has made decisions about development without a framework or foresight to determine how these projects will affect the city with regard to future proposed development,” he said.
Lou La Monte said he has always opposed high-density commercial development. “However, the needs and wishes of the community should be respected,” La Monte said, citing as an example that he thinks majority of west Malibu residents approved of the Trancas Center expansion and how the La Paz project would provide two acres for municipal use, such as the mandated wastewater facility in the Civic Center. “Lastly, all development should be resident-serving and comply with the strict standards the city has set,” he added.
Harold Greene indicated he is committed to the vision and mission statement of the city’s General Plan that mandates the preservation of rural character through programs and policies that avoid suburbanization and commercialization of our natural and cultural resources. “All commercial development should satisfy these concepts,” he said.
Steve Scheinkman explained commercial development has to be subject to a long-term master plan. Without that, according to Scheinkman, problems of traffic, wastewater, fire evacuation routes and other matters of safety and well-being will only get worse. “While I believe that the expansion of Trancas Center will be of significant benefit to the community, I am disappointed that a traffic plan that would ensure safety was not developed. I am pleased to see the steps the public safety commission is taking to study this problem. I also believe that commercial development has to be focused on providing needed goods and services that the residents of Malibu need such as the lumber yard that we lost,” he added.
The candidates were also asked what public facilities they think the city needs and why.
La Monte ticked off a list: A teen center, more sports fields and a wastewater facility in the Civic Center.
Rosenthal noted what is needed is a “modern dedicated” senior center. “We need more sports fields for all residents—adults and kids. A daycare for children of city and other governmental agencies (school district) would be a wonderful asset here too.
Rosenthal said she would like to see some additional programs and facilities for Malibu’s teens including a teen center and a boys and girls club that is not a private entity. “In addition, I would like to have some more parks.”
Greene called for an expanded urgent care center. “Continue to provide an active senior center. Establish a teen center that has programs that would actually encourage teens to want to participate. We must provide care and activities for our seniors and teens,” he said.
Mazza indicated the new city hall needs a performing arts venue, community rooms, a sheriff’s substation, a senior center and space for art displays. “More sports fields need to be acquired that include a first-class skate park. The west end of Malibu needs a permanent teen center, community room, library annex and recreational facilities,” he said.
Sidley called for more ball fields and a wastewater treatment facility. “We have a tremendous demand for athletic facilities in Malibu, and we need to meet that demand. The problems of wastewater are real and the city has an obligation to take care of that problem,” he noted.
Greene maintained Malibu needs its own city hall and should continue with the development of public facilities in the community. “We need to add to the buildings at Bluffs Park, and I personally would like to see the development of a cultural center either at the new city hall or Bluffs Park,” he said. Greene noted part of the funding for the center could come from Malibu’s Native American Cultural Resources Advisory Committee funds in the city treasury from Chumash Day and other events.
Scheinkman suggested space must be made available to house senior groups, educational programs, community outreach and other events and programs “that bring the community together.”
“I have called for a Malibu youth summit to determine additional public facilities that we need in order to provide expanded educational and recreational facilities for our children,” he said.