Chain Store Limiting Ordinance Nearly Ready for Public Comment

Malibu residents may get the first glimpse of a draft ordinance seeking to limit future chain stores in the Malibu Civic Center by the end of February.

"We believe we should have a draft ordinance and [California Environmental Quality Act] CEQA documents out for public review toward the end of this month," Malibu City Manager Jim Thorsen said.

The ordinance will include input from a Dec. 13 community meeting that included a poll about what should be in the draft ordinance.

Malibu staff and City Attorney Christi Hogin have also been working on an administrative review of the draft ordinance, according to Thorsen.

Malibu's Associate Planner Richard Mollica said any time rules are changed "you have to evaluate CEQA." 

Mollica said an Environmental Impact Report would only be needed "if there was a significant impact as a result of the ordinance."

In November, the Malibu City Council voted to direct city staff to draft an ordinance to require a conditional use permit for any new chain businesses in shopping centers with more than 10,000 square feet in the Civic Center area.

At the December meeting, attendees gave input on the criteria that was used in the draft formula retail ordinance, according to Joseph Smith, Malibu's associate planner.

In addition, a definition of "community-serving business" will be also prepared and scheduled for an upcoming City Council meeting in order to continue the discussion on commercial diversification, Smith said.

The draft ordinance exempts grocery stores, real estate, gas stations, banks and insurance offices. If approved, the ordinance would have to ultimately go before the California Coastal Commission because changes would need to be made to the city's Local Coastal Program.

The ordinance is part of an effort to maintain Malibu's character in existing and planned development in the Civic Center.