City Releases Draft of Ordinance Limiting Chain Stores

Malibu residents got the first glimpse of a draft ordinance seeking to limit future chain stores in the Malibu Civic Center Tuesday.

The ordinance was released on the city of Malibu's website. Malibu residents have until April 11 to comment on the ordinance (which is available in PDF form to the right).

The ordinance will be scheduled for planning commission and city council public hearings.

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

The draft ordinance exempts grocery stores, gas stations and banks.

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