R,~C~i - Malibu

Patricia Salazar
Subject:
Attachments:
FW: LETTERS FOR STAFF REPORT
From the Publisher Guido°s Restaurant is going to close, perhaps now, perhaps later -Malibu
Times Opinion.pdf; San Fran Formula Ordinance Letter.pdf; OJAI BOARD REALTORS.pdf;
..Diesel Bookstore Letter.pdf; Chocolate Box City Council.pdf; Joan Bryant of INDIANA
JOANS.pdf; ZUMA BEACH HARDWARE LETTER.pdf; MALIBU AGRICULTURE
SOCIETY.pdf
From: Preserve Malibu [mailto:preservemalibuC~gmaiLcom]
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 4:01 PM
To: Joyce Parker-Borylinski; Lisa Pope; Laura Rosenthal; Lou LaMonte; Joan House; Skylar Peak; John Sibert
Subject: LETTERS FOR STAFF REPORT
Dear City Staff and Council,
We are submitting merely a few ofthe hundreds of pertinent letters that have been written supporting andexplaining the dire need for Malibu's Formula Business Ordinance. These are from: the Editor ofthe Malibu
Times, San Francisco ordinance expert;Ojai's Chamber of Commerce CEO ,Ojai's Boaxd of Realtors and our
own valued independent business owners -some who have been pushed out of Malibu. Please include these in
the Sept. 9th Staff Report.
Thank you, PM
1. OJAI CHAMBER OF COMIVLERCE /jpg
2. MALIBU TIMES PUBLISHER EDITORIAL
3. SAN FRAN FORMULA ORDINANCE LETTER
4.OJAI BOARD REALTORS
5. DIESEL BOOKSTORE
6: LUMBERYARD CHOCOLATE BOX CITY COUNCIL
7. JOAN BRYANT INDIANA JOANS
8.ZUMA BEACH HARDWARE LETTER
9. MALIBU AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
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From the Publisher: Guido's Restaurant is going to close, perha..
http://www.malibutimes.com/opinio~~~`~~7ba-Oe86-1...
~~~ 2120~~
P~Nt~G pEpT.
From the Publisher: Guido's Restaurant is going
to close, perhaps now, perhaps later
Arnold G. York ~ Posted: Thursday, October 4,2012 5:46 pm
Now like any good newsman, when I heard my favorite local watering hole was going to
close—in fact, the first report was that it was closing this Friday—the alarm bells went off. I tell
you this so you will understand that I make no pretense that this is detached and objective
journalism. The thought of Guido's closing definitely puts me into combat mode.
The truth is, I see this as more than one restaurant, in one shopping mall in one end of Malibu.
This really goes to the heart and- soul ofthis town and what we are going to be in 10 years,
because the fundamental question we have to'decide is: Are we going to be a town or are we just a
shopping destination with some adjacent homes around it?
I've talked to all ofthe principals involved with Guido's, present and past, and it's all a little bit
like the movie Rashomon with one story as seen from several totally different perspectives. But
when you take out all the personal stuff, what it boils down to is a successful business, that's been
there~more than 20 years, with a loyal and steady following, is going to be folding in the near
future.
The principals involved, restaurant owners and center owners, all believe that it's personal
differences and they couldn'tjust make a deal, but I think there is something much larger
involved. As I see,it, over the years we have not had any significant building and as places want to
expand there is a bidding war going on for space. Malibu itself is now.an international brand, so
all ofthe large international brands see this as a place they need to be, or at least a name they need
to put on their brochure next to Manhattan, Boca Raton and Beverly Hills. Additionally, property
taxes ga up as centers change hands, and then there is always the regional water quality control
board and their very expensive demands for us to cure a regional water problem, which makes this
a very expensive place for any business to operate. I know that most of us bitch about the prices in
the restaurants and the stores, but we all generally accept them, the way we accept the
summertime traffic, as the price ofliving in paradise.
The question is: Havo we reached a tipping point?
Generally speaking, I believe in a free and open market. It's not that it's perfect, it's just generally
better than the government can do. An ordinance can.sometimes fix a problem but it also can
make a problem worse. There are several ordinances making their way through the Malibu
1 of 2
From the Publisher: Guido's Restaurant is going to close, perha...
http://www.malibutimes:com/opinion/article_21d567ba-Oe86-1...
political system, some of which local businesses strongly oppose. I must confess I blew them off
in the past as not very practical and just tinkering with the laws of supply and demand, but I'm
ready to take another look.
in
For all of you free marketers the question I pose is this: How is it that along-established business
like Guido's can't make it long term Malibu?
Or why is whenever you walk past the old Granita Restaurant site; there it sits empty and unused
after what, 10 years? Or the old copy store near the Ralph's Market, with a rent the copy store
could no longer afford, and now just an empty space.
There apparently is a new economics afoot, and maybe the_ only way to change things is through
strong directed government regulation (there, I can'.t believe I said that).
In the interim, any of you upset with the possibility of Guido's closing should call your council
people or send us a letter or email to the editor.
I can always be reached at [email protected]
2 of 2
8/21/13 3:46 P1VI
July 26,2013
~~CE~~Ep
City of Malibu Planning Commission
23825 Stuart Ranch Road
Malibu,cA ~o2~s
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P~NN1N
Via email: c/o JBlair(c~malibucity.czrg
Subject: Formula Retail Ordinance(ZTA No. 08-003)
Dear Commissioners
I write to you from San Francisco to express strong support for Malibu's proposed formula retail
ordinance that is before you. In 2004 our city's Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors
went through a similar long process to adopt formula retail regulations, and it has been one of the
most successful pieces ofland use. policy to ensure San Francisco remains San Francisco and doesn't
slip toward becoming Anywhere USA. As an active community member in the Hayes Valley and
Duboce Triangle neighborhoods,I was deeply involved in that process and have some reflections
that you may find relevant as Ehe City of Malibu is now poised to adopt its own formula retail
controls., Malibu is part of a trend across California as cities small and large are setting these
proactive policies to protect their local character and small business economies.
First, however,I must say that your planning staffs report on the. ordinance before you is truly
excellent, providing thorough policy rariotiale and analysis for the proposal. It is clear this proposed
formula retail ordinance has been very carefully crafted to "fit" the unique circumstances of Malibu
— it is not acookie-cutter ordinance. And the recommended formula retail. controls are really quite
modest: simply requiring a conditional use permit authorizarion and establishing a 50%
concentration threshold per floor of a shopping center is arguably still a very accommodating policy
towa.td formula retail. In San Francisco, for example, formula retail restricrions now being put into
place set concentrarion thresholds at 20%.......
There was a similar soul-searching struggle in San Francisco with how to take the .right regulatory
approach to managing the rapidly growing presence of formula retail in our commercial districts.
And our 2004 ordinance.was opposed by some powerful business interests including the local
chamber of commerce, the major restaurants association and downtown .commercial property
owners. There was similar saber-rattling from opponents about "discriminatory" regulations, but the
formula retail ordinances have been court-tested and politically-tested for many pears now — it is
quite clear that recognizing and defining formula retail as a particular land use type and regulating it
accordingly is valid. Scare tactics should not distract pour Planning Commission or City Council
from setting regulatorq policy that is good for Malibu.
Despite the resistance, our San Francisco ordinance was passed and now nine years later as the
success of the policy has been demonstrated, there is a very broad culture of support for controls on
formula retail. Even our former Mayor at the time and current Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom
who inirially had reservaribns about putting restricrions on businesses whether corporate chain
stores or not, quickly evolved to become a main proponent for independent businesses as, a
preference over chains. Since the formula retail ordinance was passed in San Francisco we've seen a
blossoming of small business programs, including the city's Office of Small Business, the Locally
Owned Merchants Alliance, and the cup's Invest in Neighborhoods initiative.
San Francisco has a very similar special-ness as Malibu with distinct character that makes it a worldrenowned place to live and a city to visit. And while San Francisco is a large city by comparison,it is
in fact a city of neighborhoods each wifh a distinct character. This.diversity of neighborhoods and
strong sense of place it creates across the landscape of the city, really gives asmall-community feel
to each paxt of San Francisco—and that is what residents are proud of and very importantly it is
what continues to make San Francisco attractive for visitors to come and experience that uniqueness
and spend their tourist dollars. Put blunfly, tourists to San Francisco and Malibu are not coming to
buy clothes at Banana Republic, housewares from Williams Sonoma or to have a Starbucks coffee,
even an Illy Espresso coffee. Nor.is that likely why residents moved to our famous cities in the first
place—we can bup that merchandise in Anywhere USA..
The main.Findings by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in passing the formula retail
ordinance were based upon three realiries:
1. There is a need to balance the playing field between independent businesses and chain retailers
which have an inherent financial advantage. Commercial market rents are-set to the highest-paying
businesses, so .city policy managing the predominance of formula retail will manage the escalation of
rents and create more opportunities for small independent businesses.that they may otherwise not
be able'to afford.
2. It is important fiscal policy to retain as much of locally-generated business profit within the local
economy which independent businesses inherently do through sourcing locally and using local
business support vendors, compared with chain retailers which export the bulk of their capital
investments to remote mass suppliers and corporate headquarters. If revenues are to "bounce"
tliYough the local economy,formula retail needs to be consciously managed to ensure opportuniries
for independent businesses to thrive.
3. The importance of protecting community character as reflected in the city's commercial districts is
paramount to pYeserving the unique identity and reputation of the city as a whole. Chain retailers are
a reality in contemporary cities, but their proliferation and their predominance needs to be managed
p~nactively before it is too late- to gain back a lost identity.
Again,I strongly support the proposed formula retail regularions for Malibu and encourage: the
Planning Commission and ultimately the City Council to adopt this ordinance. It is a historic
moment for your city, and you will look back with pride on your decisive leadership. Please fee free
to contact me if I can further elaborate on our experience in San Francisco in any way helpful.
Sincerely,
;r"`.
Peter Cohen
`, San Francisco
CC:
Malibu City Council c/o I:.,~sa Pape <l~a~e~p,,xnalibucity.otg>
Preserve Malibu <Presea-~ei'~4aili~u(~~cnail.coxn>
~~cE~vED
AEG 212013
p~,ANNING DEPT.
FROM: OJAI VALLEY BOARD OF REALTORS July 22, 2013
Dear Malibu City Hall,
Hello from The Ojai Valley Board of REALTORS! We were, and are
involved, with our City Politics at each and every meeting of our
City Council and Planning Commission.
Since our City is small, and relies on tourist dollars, we try to keep
our City unique, with smaller boutiques, local artist galleries,
interesting restaurants, local wineries, and much- more. Qur focus
is local, local, local shopping, dining, culture, music, art, hotels,
and shops of all types. It gives our City a distinct loop, and feel,
much different from most Southern California cities and towns.
This vision alone, brings us tourists and tourist dollars, as well as
new people to our City, interested in buying our real estate here. As
the Ojai Valley Board of REALTORS, we supported the
recent(within 5 years) Formula Business Ordinance, which restricts
new "chain" stores or businesses which would take from our
unique look and feel of our City. We have "grandfathered" in the
chain restaurant (farrows) and Banks(Wells Fargo, B of A, etc),
Chevron Service Station, and Vons Grocery Store. Nearby, in the
unincorporated (county)areas of Mira Monte, Meiners Oaks, Oak
View, and Casitas Springs, there are chain stores to shop, if need
be. We try very hard,~ in the City of Ojai to offer more than one
would expect in a small town in Southern California. Allowing a
Starbucks on every corner, or a Wal-Mart, or any other major chain
business, would definitely change our beautiful City! I hope.you
can see the long term effects of adopting a Formula Business
Ordinance for Malibu. Malibu is a very special place, and
it warrants maintaining the wonderful feel it has.
Sincerely,
Dawn EShook-Executive Officer
Ojai Valley- Board of REALTORS
338 E Ojai Ave
Ojai, CA 93023
Joseph Smith
.
From:
Sent:
John Evans <[email protected]>
Friday, April 12, 201311:59 PM
to:
Joseph smith
. Subject:
Formula Retail Ordinance
~~~, 212013
T,
P~
RECEIVED
AI'R 15 2013
Ht ~aseph,
PLANNING DEPT.
Thanks:for keeping us in the loop about the Retail Formula Ordinance. I know that this is a sorely contested issue and'
that you are in the hot seat on this. It is a fascinating microcosm of what powers and philosophies are in conflict in our
society. We just wanted to let you know that'it can be difficult for businesses to voice their views on ordinances such as
these as landlords can blackball you, refuse to renew leases, and the litre. You can also alienate your customers by
taking stands on things that you may havestrong opinions on. There is no real protection against these things for small.
businesses who don't awn their own buildings. We are a kind of frontline, Eulturally and economically. ~IVe, specifically,
have truly suffered #rom the lack of regulation of developers, being bullied out of:our previous locations without
regulatory support or oversight.
So, it is with_ a certain trepidation that we've decided.to voice our opinion to.you today. ~ We know that many landlords,
including our landlord,~profess a philosophy offree market capitalism even though everyone knows there is actually no
such thing. What it has come to mean in our country, and in our town, is that those with .the money and the property
have no responsibility to the communities that allow them to exist and That in no small measure provide them with the
money and the property they have. Environmental laws, Coastal Commission, tax law, planning regulations --all of
these are community responses insisting that corporations and individuals be responsible citizens to the communities
from which they profit.
And so, we want to voice our full support for a Retail Formula Ordinance in Malibu that protects Malibu's unique
character, our beautiful and significant environment and our robust, local economy of smali.tocal businesses. The socalled "free market" in Malibu:has been so gravely distorted by Malibu's celebrity reputation -and by commercial real .
estate limits and exploitations that Malibu is in danger of losing its character completely.
The people of Malibu have stepped forward to try to put in place,reasonable measure to restrict the abuses of the
privilege of having businesses and property in Malibu committed by a few, mostly large, developers. Their pursuit of
their own financial interest is understandable, but as has always peen the case, the~`e is a need on fihe part of good
government to restrict the destructiveness that often accompanies that pursuit. Many communities -- in California;in
the U.S. and abroad -- have'embraced reasonable ordinances~such as the one the city is considering, We think all of the
three options originally put forward.in the first meeting should be adopted, but lacking that at least this ordinance
should be passed and enforced.
Things have been allowed to go too far as it is. Please respect the people of Malibu by trying to protect the community
and environment in which they reside from further negative impact. Please hold the developers responsible~to the
community which they ultimately serve..
Please encourage the adoption of this ordinance -- for healthy and local business environment which serves the people
and place of Malibu.
Sincerely, .
John Evans and Alison Reid
Diesel, A Bookstore
"The difference between the Parthenon and the World Trade Center, between a French wine glass and a German beer
mug, between Bach and John Philip Sousa, between Sophocles and Shakespeare, between a bicycle and a horse,though
explicable by historical moment, necessity, and destiny, is before all else a difference of imagination."
--Guy Davenport
DIESEL, A Bookstore
Oakland -- Malibu.— Brentwood
www.dieselbookstore.com
2
RF~~►~~Fc''
au~ 21 203
July 28, 2013
Pl~~v~~iE~v~ ~~r'7
City of Malibu
23825 Stuart Ranch Road
Malibu, California 90265
Dear Malibu City Council:
.Many local residents have been pushing the City of Malibu to take measures to limit
Chain stores from coming into our City. I believe that our City's strength comes from its
economic diversity, and we need to take necessary measures to make sure we support all
kinds of businesses to support such diversity.
City of Maliru sh~ulci take the leadership role in inking sure:
1. Local entrepreneurs get a fair chance in starting new local businesses
2. Promote and support businesses that serve the needs of local residents and
community.
3. Promote economic growth and stability of our retail community by limiting
external investment of recognized retail names to come and expand their business
in Malibu. Although having these businesses would strengthen Malibu's
economic growth, we need to make sure.they have a positive effect on our
community, especially to the points, 1& 2, above. We need to place positive
measures and incentives so local businesses axe able to manage and afford their
operation in spite of the existence of these retailers who operate on different
economic and business models. We also need to make sure. and encourage our
community to support local businesses by shopping local campaigns and other
incentive prograx~s.
As a local resident and the owner of a local retail store and cafe, ChocolateBox Cafe, I
getto serve the.diversity of Malibu's residents and visitors every day, all of whom come
to.Malibu because we are attracted by the City the way it is—and are- a little hesitant to
see the City change. We are lucky in Malibu that locals who have an interest in our
community own many of our local businesses. Theynot only support our local schools
and charity events, but also host events for the community from art shows to music
concerts.
'However, with current growth of development and infusion of very high end and global
multi million dollar chain stores, have pltsh the lcasc conditions and rAtcs to the lcvcl th~►t
economically and financially it is, almost.impossible for a small business owner and
entrepreneur to operate and launch a business in Malibu..
I have been bank rolling the business out of my own pockets and hoping for things to
improve and change. I have raised my issues several times and have tried to negotiate
new lease terms v~ith the previous management with no such a lock. Meanwhile have
,
seen all the well known brands get lured to Malibu with much better lease terms and
incentives. I am a small local business owner and do .not have the deep pockets ofthe big
corporate chains to be in Malibu for just marketing and branding reasons. Sad to say, if
there are no changes very soon, I can not continue my business any more and have to
close and move on. Everybody loves my product and cafe. I get great feedback from
locals and regulars and had several great coverage in local and national papers. However,
that does not pay my bills and extremely high lease payments.
Please take all necessary measures to support and promote local and small business and
preserve Malibu Thank you -for listening.
Sincerely,
Zareh Baghdasarian
~E~~~~~
Joan Bryant ofINDIANA JOANS
pUG 212013
p►~NN1~~i[~EP~.
Dear Preserve Malibu Group,.
It is kind of you to let me know those things about people missing my store
and speaking.of it as anexample of what has been lost in the retail mix in
Malibu.
I had a 26 year run there with Indiana Joan's, and Imiss my customers and
the fun we had playing dressup! In retrospect, I always imagined that I
would determine when the time came to close the store, not the landlord. It
was a bit ofa shock when I realized that being a good tenant who always
paid my rent and never asked for anything, really didn't mean much to my.
landlord because when my lease expired, I found out-that another tenant had
been signed to my space in the Country.Mart without my knowledge. I was
out, they were.in.
I hope there is a measure that could be crafted or adopted which would help
control commercial landlord from continuing to escalate rents, or from.
hiding charges in common area maintenance, or from jockeying to achieve
an upscale presence of high-end designer stores in their stable of properties.
I guess they count on an endless supply of national brands to pay whatever
the price whether profitably run or not,.simply-because those chains like the
cache of having Malibu in their print ads for fashion magazines. My concept
of providing affordable, fun merchandise and friendly, personal service.
apparently cannot compete any longer in Malibu. Good luck in trying to
protect the little guys!
Joan Bryant
~~CE~~~D
~~~ 212013
SUBMITTED TO THE CITY OF MALIBU
April 5, 2012
p~,NN1NG
~~p'f.
Dear Editor,
At a recent city council meeting, John Sibert commented that many small businesses
in town do not leave because of high rents "...same with the hardware store— he
decided to leave, and it wasn't rent." Not only was this remark careless, but it was
inaccurate. It is at the center of the "diversity" issue now roiling.
The primary challenge at our "Zuma Beach General Store" was high rent. In spite of
the amusing but peculiar protests of Mr. Van Dyke and his quest for a screwdriver,
we managed to sell thousands ofthem to satisfied customers. Problem was,with
increasing rental amounts, we needed to.sell more and more ofthose screwdrivers
in order to just stay even, and at a certain tipping point,in spite of strong sales, the
weight of the escalating rent became just too heavy. To be sure, we had other
challenges facing us,some that required we react to the dramatically changing
customer demographics and some challenges that were~self inflicted, but to suggest
that we jumped ship for reasons other than high rent, is simply not the case. To cap
it off, when the existing landlord- was replaced by another, our rent was quadrupled
overnight and retroactively. That enormous rent increase was the final bomb
dropped on our heads. This is not a unique scenario.
For Sibert to apparently believe, or at least want us to believe, that our store or any
number of other independent family-owned stores, went away simply because they
just arbitrarily wanted to or that mysteriously, people weren't shopping at our
stores, is a total distortion ofthe core reason we or they shuttered. How do you spell
"clueless"? Simply put,small and memorable businesses,such as the many that
have closed.in Malibu over the past years, could not match the advertising budgets
or be equipped with the safety nets that come with a name brand shop while facing
higher and higher rents. They could not compete in this Frankenstein~a "free
market" Unlike the name brand stores, there was an absolute limit on what-they
could fork out in rent.
It is not about"survival of the fittest," or "allowing the free market to be free," or
other such canards that are spoken by the defenders of these sea changes taking
place in our town, it is simply about the fact that the stage has been set to cater to
stores that have comparatively vast sums of money to spend and losses they- can
easily absorb and write off on a corporate level. And it is having a ripple effect in
that commercial property owners of any stripe are able to charge increasingly
higher rents on the coat tails ofthe dominant shopping centers. What landlord
wouldn't love that? Who cares if we are homogenizing our unique town by the sea?
Who cares if the developers have been allowed to act as our urban engineers and
define our culture, as mirrored in the businesses that are planted hire? Soboroff has
characterized the conflict as really being about"good tenants or bad tenants." I
suppose that would be true if all you cared about was money and how to optimize
your shopping center.
way,
The locally owned shops that have managed to survive have done so by being
essentially underwritten or sponsored in some
or successfully evolving and
becoming very much like one ofthe name brands. The parties who,are vested in this
system and defend it speak publicly in reasonable tones, using reasonable language
and it is all designed to appear balanced and, well, reasonable. The problem is that it
is not reasonable at all—it is corrosive to the heart and soul of our town. Hosting
events for non-profit groups in- one's courtyard does not necessarily make one a
member ofthe community.It-just means a way has been found to be perceived as a
member of the community.
There is a difference.
simply
Speaking of which,it is ironic and interesting that the Trancas Nursery became the
lightening rod for this latest push to keep Malibu local and homespun. While the
new nursery occupies the same.location as the former Malibu Garden Center, it is in
most ways a new business, a ghost of the former. But it served as a good symbol.
And it served to get people fired up. Perhaps this fight resonated because the whole
brouhaha about retail diversity isn't
about high rents and who can afford
them—it is about our character as a town. At the former Garden Center, Steve,
Corrine and Shelby created an atmosphere, a destination, a gathering place, not just
a retail nursery/ landscaping business. There's a lesson in that for us as a
community.
For instance,there is a wonderful little town we are quite fond ofin Hawaii. Their
city council grew abackbone along-time ago and decided to restrict what kinds of
businesses would be allowed, and not allowed, to setup shop within chains to sue
for their "right" to open up there, but none ofthe suits have gained traction, as
apparently the Courts agree that the town can decide for themselves what
guidelines to use and that it is their legal right to do so, as an elected body—it is
apparently understood that the moment a property is defined as "commercial" it
must answer to the community whose support it seeks at the cash register. As a
result,'they have a charming town, populated by a wide assortment of unique shops,
restaurants and businesses and not a single name.brand business in sight. Because
of how unique it is, and not how like everywhere else it is, property values have
spiked and tourists flock there.and spend their money. Duh. It has not been
homogenized. As for Malibu,that horse left the barn a long time aga
Everything is relative. And the line gets moved with each successive generation. And
now,to mandate to commercial property owners that a certain percent of their floor
space must be let out to local businesses at greatly reduced rates is okay, I suppose;
for it may.preserve a taste of the local effect, but the overall tone of our town has
already been defined. The developers and shopping center owners have already
established the ground rules. They have established bonds and friendships with the
city government, with the Chamber of Commerce, with the real-estate establishment
and with many residents who are part of the change in the demographic.They all
benefit from this circular understanding, and they will vigorously resist any attempt
to have constraints put upon them.
The world that has been created by them demands very high rents so that now we
as residents are caught in an insidious Catch-22. We can't go back in time and
reconstruct the rules. We can only go forward. And the parameters of the game have
already been established.
To he sure, the lack of sewers has slowed and capped the pace and size of
development, and the ambitions of the developers, but a beachhead has been
established by them and they intend to exercise their "rights" to the fullest extent
allowed. Hopefully, we as a town will not lose our character and can at least succeed
in reining in the more ambitious development plans, and perhaps, here and there,
help to defend the existence of small local "resident serving" businesses.
unique
place worth preserving. For someone in a
Itis a beautiful and highly
leadership role,like Sibert, to suggest that after all of our hard work,. creativity and
money invested, we simply "decided to leave" and close our General Store is a
grossly inaccurate rewrite of history. Nice try, but no cigar.
Brian Pietro
Public Forum: Support the formula retail ordinance
By June Louks./.Malibu Agricultural Society cofounder I Posted:
Wednesday,.August 7,20131:30 pm
The Malibu Agricultural Society recently gave unanimous, wholehearted
support to a Formula Retail Ordinance at Malibu's retail centers,
encouraging our developers in a new paxadigm for profit. We hope for no
more than 30 percent chain stores.
At our Malibu Agricultural Society gatherings,longtime residents share with
those new to town about the culture of Malibu,like their wisdom of how to
grow our food and their deep connection with nature. This connection is
seen as fundamental to healing.our planet and ourselves. Members are
choosing to move away from the consumer culture of shopping centers, as
we aim to live more sustainably; and think twice about the packaging that
goes into another thing that will eventually get thrown away and end up in a
landfill.
Many of us who are new to Malibu bought land and homes out.here as a
refuge from the corporate influences in our city lives. We moved here to
have a clean, safe and simple place to raise our fanulies. In fact, we paid a
high price to have this unique.opportunity.
support
We are concerned about chain stores that don't
fair trade or support
sweat shops,and we prefer to buy sustainably made products. We are aware
of the environmental damage of the pesticides used in GMO cotton.
Also, we are concerned about our Malibu ecosystem, specifically the use of
.fertilizers that cause a dependence on insecticides, as well as use of
rodenticides,fungicides_, herbicides and blowers'in public and private
spaces,including shopping centers. All of Malibu is harmed. Man,animal
and nature. These adversely affect our ocean water,the life-blood of Malibu,
as well as our butterflies and wildlife, watersheds and beaches.
a
With 1.2 million square feet of new development headed toward our Civic
Center., we are concerned about the typical use of all these "cides" in new
landscaping. They are destruction of the web of life. We are also
concerned about the increasing traffic this -will bring along Pacific Coast
Highway.
Malibu Agricultural Society guest speaker David Snow recently taught us
about monarch butterfly habitats. These butterflies use to darken Malibu's
skies with their abundance 30 years ago, and are now a rare sight, due to
their habitat, milkweed,being sprayed with Monsanto's Roundup.on our
roadsides. Beehives are also lost and contaminated through this chemical
weed abatement. These pollinators are critical to our ecosystem, honey and
food supply. Perhaps milkweed can be planted at Legacy Park?
The agricultural land zoned for retail on Stuart Ranch Road is the visual
heart of our town. Can these lands be designed so that the 60 percent
landscaping rule retains a hometown,pastoral setting with grounds that offer
common areas for community gardens, organic and biociynamic farmland,
arid,if the developers choose,could they offer a freshly picked GMO-free
produce store and plant-based restaurant? This could be a powerful visualpicture of the quality of life and eco-sensitivity that Malibu embraces.
The world watches what Malibu does. For better or worse, we are
trendsetters here. This is a great opportunity for us to create positive global
influence and leadership through our example. But we will also attract
higher real estate values,through our hometown,rural character, and
preserved natural resources unique to city life, not in yet another corporate
chain store strip center.
A Whole Foods Store in Malibu doesn't interest us, most notably because
this company has aligned with GMOs.We much prefer the values of
Erewhon,and are glad they are coming to Trancas.
~
Do we not love the ambiance of Ojai? Many beautiful cities already enjoy
the success of Formula Retail Ordinances,including Ojai, Coronado,
Sausalito,San Francisco, Arcata,Sonoma,Carmel and Calistoga: On the
other hand, we have seen a sense of place lost in places like Montana
Avenue,or the once sYeepy beech towns all down the coast. The vast
concrete jungle of Los Angeles and Southern California is basically
everywhere except Malibu!
Our natural resources are a dwindling commodity in Southern California.
Our stewardship of the last patch of costal specialness,in the long term, will
maximize profits for our real estate, retailers, and city; beyond what we can
imagine. So let's be a place that values treating people and the planet fairly
while maximizing profits. Isn't it time for a new paradigm?
Lets coordinate,co-create and come together in May to vote for a new
paradigm of honoring and connecting with our land in a positive way.
June Louks
Malibu Ag Society
With support from:
Ron Capri, Malibu Ag Society Co-founder,designer and manager of our
website, http.//www_.malibuags.com <http//www.,malibuags..com/>
Kian and Joel Schulman,MAgS Secretary,longtime residents who recently
spearheaded the resolution to remove rodenticides in Malibu
Reisha and Asher Delug, newlyweds,25026 Malibu Road,purchased in
2011,-from Beverly Hills and looking forward to raising her family here,
MAgS founding member.
Margo and Rock Lane,Boniface,purchased in 2013,from Santa Monica,
and looking forward to raising their family here, MAgger
a
Shalane Respondek,Zumeriz,from Pacific Palisades, built PLATINUM
LEEDS family home here,completed in 2011. MAgS founding member
r
Mike and.Teri Pilepich, Cavalleri Road,longtime Malibu residents,edible
garden enthusiasts, MAgger
Bibi Jordan, Decker Canyon,longtime residents, MAgger
Colette Brooks,Cavalleri Road,edible garden with pigs, horses, and goats.
Host of -the cable show,The Green Room and founding Malibu Ag Member.
Romy Rapoport, Malibu Homes,raising- her.son here, MAgger
Ysanne Spevack,organic edible and floral gardener to Malibu,
OrganicFoodee..com and author of'Organic Kitchen and Garden,' MAgger
Mari and Mace Stanley,Zumeriz Road,longtime Malibu residents, edible
garden
Monique Guild,Malibu Ag Founding Member
Michael Torrey,local Designer/Builder of Avalon Construction Corp
supporting LEED building practices and edible landscaping, MAgger
a
is
Cheryl Torrey,local mom &business woman committed to sustainable
life. Cheryl personally feels 25% is plenty and that being generous."The
less big chain, big business the better. Although,it would be nice to have
local carry some things we can't get here in our lovely city. Thanks for
doing this."
Inannya Magick,Latigo Canyon,MAgS founding member,edible garden
enthusiast
Susan Burger, Delaplane Road,remodeled in "07,fruit tree orchard and
biodynamic garden for veggies, MAgger,"I DON'T SHOP BIG BOXES
AND SUPPORT ALL LOCAL MALIBU BUSINESSES WHEN I CAN.I
haven't been to a Costco in 10 yeaxs:`
Diane Sanson,Wildlife Road,longtime.Point Dume resident, MAgger
Basia Kenton,local landscape architect specializing in chemical free and
biodynamic landscapes, with success, MAgger
Claudia and Rob Taylor, 12 yeax residents of Sea Lane,.MAgger,Hosts of
the Malibu BioDieselCoop and Biodynamic Compost'Co-op.
Carol Moss,Malibu Colony, very long time resident, MAgger
Connee Russo,36-year Piuma Road resident/gardener,founding member
Malibu Agricultural Society,raised two children here."Preference within
the 30%.should be given to those businesses whose owners are Malibu
residents, although I agree that 30% is too high.
a
Kristin &Michael Kohn,18 year Sunset Mesa residents with Monarch
habitat in their front. yard,."This is a powerful letter and we.are behind it
100%:
'
Patt Healy, longtime resident, community and environmental activist Emily
Rose Reeder, Malibu Ag Member,Pepperdine Green Team Advisor,
Pepperdine Edible Gaxden,"Please add me to the letter supporting local,
health and environment conscious markets. A safer, eco-friendly, and more
local Malibu!"
Jessica Pyne, moved from Lake Tahoe in 2013, CA to have a family 11
year old step son and currently pregnant, growing an edible garden.on our
Property in Point Dume,MAgger
Sally and Chick Ash,Ranch in Westlake,."We always make it an effort to
support the local merchant otherwise.we won't.have any left. If we support
chain stores we will get bland,sub par,tasteless, toxic products, with no
costumer service:'.
Traci and Lucas Donat,Boniface,longtime residents,completed extensive
remode120~0 including. permaculture landscape,solar panels, and edible
.garden like the character of Malibu,that's why I have lived- here and
supported the community for 20 years."
Kathy Gill, M.D.,Biodynamic Farm in Topanga,Founding Malibu Ag
Member
Pamela Ulich, Boniface,Former Mayor of Malibu, vegetable gardener
Jerry and Frank Churchill, Coral Canyon,Malibu's "Mother of the Year,"
2007,edible garden.
Lydia Rink, Cliffside Drive,raising her family here, "My concern is the
overall vision for Malibu seems lost.. I can't seem to find it on the.City web
page,but staying true to the mission of Malibu's natural beauty and
preserving what we have is a corner stone for me. Additionally comuig
from Boulder,I just assumed Malibu was alike-minded city, and sadly we
are not. I see we are behind a few steps in making our city an eco friendly
environmentally respectful place for people to enjoy. The selling point of
Malibu are the mountains and the sea, and that should be the primary reason
people come enjoy Malibu,in my opinion. Big Cities are all set up for
shopping and dining and entertainment, and they should continue on
there:'
Michele Farinola, documentary film producer, mom of 8-yr old, currently
living in Bel Air, hoping in near future to become a Malibu resident."We
love the close community,eco friendly lifestyle and small town feel of
Malibu and would prefer to raise our family in that environment. Thank you
for the well-written letter."
Carmela and Max DeBrouwer,purchased a home in Malibu West in 2013,
planted an edible garden and started composting."My husband drive 82
miles roundtrip every day to work so~we can live in Malibu,away from
commercial developments. Please hold to Malibu's General Plan Vision and
Mission Statement and maintain its rural character...avoid suburbanization
and commercialization of its natural and cultural resources."
Courtney Rayner,Emily Shane Way;Point Dume Marine Science School
Edible Garden Director and #4 PTA Vice President, MAgger
Nanette Bercu,Deer Creek,MAgger,surfer, commuting to ad exec job in
B.H.,3 boys and homesteading.
Linda Gibbs,Zuma Drive,Founding MAgS Member,permaculture expert
Dan and Lisa Cislo, homeowners in Malibu since 1988,family of6
Gina Odian,Harvester Road,with husband,two children and edible garden
Cathleen Summers,Patrick Crowley 33 years in Malibu. Please save the
.environment and the quality of life. We want Malibu to be beautiful and
healthy..
Alyson Dutch, publicist and business owner in Malibu. Purchased in Las
Flores in 1998 and-"kisses the ground with gratitude to live in this nirvana
everyday.. I don't want to see it overrun by anything but more animals,trees,
sky and ocean:
'
Kyle Cooper,I agree with your points and the reductions of the big business
being cut to even below 30%.
Robin Perkins and Clifford Selbert,Dume Drive
Anonymous(Few are willing to voice their support of this ordinance out of
fear.of losing their paychecks coming from "big corporate" or real estate
commissions, for their families. They feel they have to stay in the closet on
this issue, and not speak out.*)
*The Ojai Valley Board of Realtors is now aligned and in full support of
their city's formula ordinance.
import
More from Ron Capri:"Like many rural communities in California's
mountains and deserts, Malibu has been an outpost settlement forever, where
residents chose to live without all the "conveniences" and trappings of city
life. Trying to
and impose the reality and banality of a built.
environment from an urban or sub-urban paradigm is to throw away the
significant lifestyle of Malibu whose amazing heritage and larger
responsibility includes stewardship.of place.
Big chain stores and franchises often do not represent a community
authentically, but come as parasites to profit. Yet we know that owners of
retail space must also sustain. their viability. Therefore Malibu should
facilitate a lower entry threshold and stable rents for local-value local-flavor
tenants. This_ is basically what we do with farmer's markets. Otherwise the
case can always be made,economically,for seeking larger and larger
flagship tenants.
so
a
This is a tricky argument to make in a city whose residents include many
individuals who in fact make their wealth on the very maneuvers we are
trying to stop. Real estate is the ultimate predatorial lynchpin of capitalism.
Trying to reset certain defaults in how it works is like trying to go back in
time to re-write human history. And yet, being beholden to investors far
away,numerous and nameless, will never be good way to steward the earth
while doing business. As such, we must try to manage more prudently and
co-create a system.that favors quality-of-life choices. Failing to do has
obvious outcomes...
in
We'see the concrete jungle all around us and the bacchanal of consumer
wealth everywhere except nature. Fortunately Malibu still has a bit of
nature left to it. This is relevant because the formula ordinance is a
significant barometer of trend, momentum,-and scale of change threatening
Malibu as a community embedded in an environmental monument and
preserve.
Progress comes so fast that we never get the chance to see how each town
will emerge on its own impetus with its own flavor-and scale. That takes a
century or more. Southern California is not alone in this but has lost much
ecology and heritage in the name of instant growth and name-brand
dominance. Even so,take a long term view by using your voice, voting and
standing up for the higher model through inspired thought and action. Thank
you Ojai for your courage."