JUNE 2015
IN FAVOR OF THE TREES
WHEREAS, the developers for the La Paz shopping center and office complex project on Civic Center Way near Cross Creek Road in Malibu (Coastal Development Permit No. 14-036, and Mitigation Measure K-2 of the final certified Environmental Impact Report for the La Paz Project, State Clearinghouse No. 2003011131) desire to widen the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Cross Creek Road to accommodate a dedicated right-turn lane from westbound PCH onto Cross Creek Road; and
WHEREAS, the developers’ solution is to widen PCH onto CalTrans property on the southern side of PCH near the Malibu Lagoon entrance which would require the further destruction of a heritage and iconic grove of trees, including a 150 year old protected native species Sycamore tree (known by Audubon birdwatchers as “The Eagle Tree” since 1932) and a number of old growth Eucalyptus trees, along the south side of PCH extending 700 feet east and 500 feet west of the intersection, when a more environmentally sensitive solution would be to create the right turn lane onto Cross Creek Road on CalTrans right of way land on the Shell gas station property on the north side of PCH at the intersection; and
WHEREAS, the developers’ traffic plan would not only destroy these trees, but would also eliminate 23 public parking spaces that provide free public access parking to the Malibu Lagoon and Surfrider Beach, benefiting low-income and inner-city families and recreational and beach users without any real benefit to the ocean-going public, remove a visible barrier shielding the Shell station from the Lagoon, and create severe traffic disruption on PCH during construction;
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Los Angeles County Democratic Party opposes the removal of these trees and also opposes the elimination of these free public parking spaces, and asks that the Malibu Public Safety, Public Works and Planning Commissions, and the Malibu City Council, reject the developers’ traffic plan to widen PCH in the suggested manner, and supports using the right-of-way at the Shell Station on the North Side of the Pacific Coast Highway to widen the road to make room for the right turn lane, which would eliminate the destruction of the trees and cause far less traffic disruption.
AND THEREFORE, be it further resolved that copies of this Resolution be distributed to the Malibu City Council and the above mentioned City of Malibu Commissions, as well as to U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu, Governor Jerry Brown, California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird, California State Senator Fran Pavley, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Assemblyman Richard Bloom, Director of the California Department of Transportation Malcolm Dougherty, and California Coastal Commission Executive Director Dr. Charles Lester.
— Ted Vaill
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June 2015
Protect Existing Habitat and Beach Access in the City of Malibu
WHEREAS, there are plans to remove a native Sycamore tree that has stood for more than a century near the entrance of Malibu Lagoon, and also to be removed is a stand of Eucalyptus trees in an area that serves as beach access parking in Malibu, all to accommodate a new right-turn lane on Pacific Coast Highway at the corner of Cross Creek Road; and
WHEREAS, our part has passed a previous resolution calling for increased protection of habitat (such as trees) near or adjacent to environmentally protected areas such as the Malibu Lagoon; and
WHEREAS, there is popular sentiment to preserve the trees and maintain the existing beach access;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Los Angeles County Democratic Party call upon local city officials and state agencies to find a way of meeting traffic eneds without the removal of these existing trees and without a reduction in beach access; and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the Malibu City Council, State Senator Fran Pavley, Assemblyman Richard Bloom, Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird, Director of the California Department of Transportation Malcolm Dougherty and California Coastal Commission Executive Director Dr. Charles Lester.
— Dorothy Reik, AD 50
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October, 2014
For Measure R
Whereas, there is limited space in Malibu between Santa Monica Mountains habitat and the ocean, and
Whereas more than 1.5 million square feet of land will be available to commercial developers,
and whereas the character of Malibu and our Civic Center would easily be lost with such a wholesale transformation of land use,
Therefore be it resolved that the Malibu Democratic Board of Directors supports Measure R and recommends a ‘Yes’ vote on the November ballot.
