Restaurant parking drives Malibu planning commission discussion

Michele Willer-Allred, Staff Reporter

7:25 am PDT June 17, 2020

Traffic and parking compliance at restaurants Nobu and Little Beach House Malibu (Soho) remain a point of contention with several Malibu Planning Commission members.

The matter came up again during Tuesday’s remote meeting, where commissioner Steve Uhring noted an uptick in visitors to the city, which often results in parking and traffic issues at the popular restaurants.

“I sat on my deck this weekend and I’ll tell you, (Pacific Coast Highway) is packed,” he said. “Summer is back, and whatever the coronavirus is doing, people aren’t paying attention.”

When questioned who is responsible for coming up with a Nobu/Soho parking solution, Richard Mollica, assistant planning director, replied that city staff, along with City Manager Reva Feldman and Public Works representatives, are working on it.

Assistant City Attorney Trevor Rusin said the establishments also are responsible for putting forward a proposal for what they want to do and how they want to use the property under their operating permit.

Planning Director Bonnie Blue reiterated that city officials are working on a plan and will present it to the commission when it is ready.

“I don’t have an answer for you today,” Blue responded when asked by Uhring when the plan will be ready.

“The problem is, this is going to get worse,” Uhring said. “PCH was packed this weekend. It’s not going to get any better. So maybe next meeting you can come back to us with an update.”

Planning Commission Vice Chair John Mazza weighed in, saying the businesses were cited six years ago for violating their permit.

“They are the ones that violated it. They’re the ones that do not follow their permits, so why is it up to them to stall it?” Mazza asked. “If I build an oil derrick in my front yard, you’re not going to let me keep it for six years.”

Mazza noted that barriers preventing motorists heading west on PCH from turning left into the parking lot of the businesses were proposed about four months ago.

To this day, there are none.

“Is anyone following up on that?” he asked. 

Said director Blue: “Again, we’re working on a solution and I’ll have an update for you next week.”