Politics & Government
Commission Vote Paves Way For Chipotle Opening
An opening date has not been announced for the location at the Malibu Village.
The Malibu Planning Commission cleared the way for Chipotle to open in Malibu on Tuesday night by approving changes to a conditional use permit (CUP).
In a 3-1 vote, the commission approved plans submitted by the Denver-based chain to switch up an existing outdoor patio, update the hours of operation and make other improvements to the restaurant's proposed space in the Malibu Village.
Commissioner John Mazza voted in opposition and Commissioner Joan House was not present because of her recent election to the Malibu City Council.
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Chipotle has plans to take over the space of the now-closed Casa Escobar. Mixt Greens, a gourmet salad eatery, had plans to open in the space, but never opened. Mixt Greens was granted a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission at that time, and the permit does not have an expiration date, according to city staff.
An official opening date has not been announced for the restaurant, which will be allowed to serve beer and wine inside the business, but not on the patio.
Find out what's happening in Malibufor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Julie Eamer of A Safer PCH was the lone voice of opposition to the permit, stating her concerns about the beer and alcohol provision.
"When is there enough establishments in Malibu selling alcohol? When does this burden become too much for a community? Does this commission have a magic number of the amount of people that have to be hurt by drunk drivers before you consider not allowing or regulating their licenses?" Eamer said.
Mazza initially proposed a motion to exclude alcohol from the permit, but fellow commissioners moved ahead with approving the permit.
He peppered Assistant City Attorney Gregg Kovacevich with questions at the beginning of the public hearing.
"What can we do to make sure a CUP doesn’t go forever?" Mazza said.
Kovacevich said that the city's code does not have a provision for limiting the length of a CUP, but that commissioners could place conditions on the permit in some cases.
Conditional use permits do not require final approval by the City Council.
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