Civic Center Property Owners Still Down on Malibu’s Formula Retail Ordinance

A group of commercial property owners in Malibu's Civic Center expressed concern and disappointment over the city’s recent changes to a proposed formula retail ordinance.

The group said in a statement that the ordinance proposing to limit the number of chain stores discriminates against national retailers in favor of local merchants. What the group calls “unworkable and arbitrary implementation standards” are not only bad for business, but bad for the community, according to the statement.

The city believes the ordinance will prevent an overabundance of chain stores in the Civic Center. Because larger chains generally lack uniqueness and character, too many of them would take away from Malibu’s small town feel, according to a city staff report.

The group argues that Malibu can still achieve these goals with the presence of larger retail chains by implementing design guidelines. Aesthetic-based ordinances in cities such as Palm Springs and San Clemente continue to preserve a small town feel.

A local coalition known as Preserve Malibu is working to encourage the passing of the ordinance. “The residents hold our job of custodians to this miracle that is Malibu, proudly,” the group posted on its Facebook page.