Malibu : City OKs Home Alterations

The Malibu City Council adopted measures Tuesday night allowing residents to make additions or renovations to their existing homes.

The ordinance passed 3 to 2, with council members Walt Keller and Carolyn Van Horn dissenting, and will take effect in 30 days. Since Malibu became a city in March, the council has put on hold all additions and remodels, raising the ire of many residents and builders.

Scott Haley, a general contractor in Malibu, told the council that his business had halted since cityhood, and resident Mark Hamill of “Star Wars” fame said the standstill had affected every member of his family.

The ordinance will allow additions of a maximum of 7,200 square feet. Height will be limited to 28 feet above the natural grade, and the maximum lot coverage of the structure will be 35%, excluding driveways, patios and decks.

Keller objected to the ordinance, saying it will provide no protection for neighborhood character or views, give insufficient open space and allow excessive grading.

In other action, the council voted to extend the moratorium on rent increases for mobile home residents until December of this year, despite pleas by owners of mobile home parks.

Malibu does not yet have a rent stabilization policy. The decision to extend the moratorium gives the council more time to come up with a comprehensive policy.

The motion to extend the moratorium was passed 5 to 0.