Building Malibu Better?

“Rebuild!” “Better, faster!” “It’s our number one priority.”

The slogans and stalwart statements of resolve can be heard resonating at the public meetings the City of Malibu has been holding these past weeks in the wake of the recent disastrous fires.

Reviewed and rubber stamped at the meetings was a proposed package of amendments to the city’s Municipal Code and Local Coastal plan to expedite the rebuilding of the structures destroyed and damaged in the Palisades Fire of January and the Franklin in December.

The package with some tweaking incorporates an executive order by Governor Newsom suspending the state’s coastal act and CEQA. Though there is some confusion stemming from a FEMA mandate that the rebuilds on the La Costa beachfront be raised a floor or more on stilts in anticipation of flooding. (Nice that the Fed’s recognize climate change, at least here.)

Raised are questions of architecture, and private and public view plains. Expect further confusions in the misinterpretations by public, private and personal interests, depending on costs and who might benefit.

However written, such local codes are usually construed by the people involved in their application according to his or her personal prejudices: sometimes greed, power, or, thankfully, social and public concerns, legal precedents notwithstanding.

So too will be the proposed improved Malibu permitting process. In the final reckoning, and reality, it will be the person behind the counter making the decision. Or, for that matter, away from counter, over a lunch at Nobu, or a dinner in Hawaii.

But there is no doubt that because of sewage and structural problems some sandy parcels will not be, or cannot be, rebuilt, presenting the challenging potential of a redesigned and safer adjoining PCH, several interspersed inviting public beaches, and striking public views of Malibu’s coastline.

Think about it. Envision it.

As for the proposed amendments, they should be blessed next week by the City Council, as they should be. It should help speed the permitting process; though how much remains to be seen.

But however well-intentioned, don’t expect the improved code will be the holy grail of the rebuild in Malibu.