Three of the five community lands have specific parking requirements that were part of the City’s agreement when purchasing the properties from LA Metro:
- The Triangle Lot (APN 4458-020-015) at Civic Center Way and Webb Way must accommodate approximately 100 parking spaces.
- The Heathercliff Lot (APN 4466-021-028) at Pacific Coast Highway and Heathercliff Road must accommodate approximately 100 parking spaces.
- The Chili Cook-Off Lots (APN 4458-022-011) at 23575 Civic Center Way must accommodate approximately 100 parking spaces.
In addition, following the City’s standard approval processes, the City must obtain approval from the California Coastal Commission for the proposed use of the lands.
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The City collected feedback through several methods:
- Designated email: MalibuCommunityLands@MalibuCity.org
- Dedicated contact form on the designated website
- A community survey via FlashVote
- Three community meetings, which attracted around 180 participants
- Three pop-up events throughout the City, which gathered around 100 attendees
To view all public input received in Phase 1, please visit the Public Input Received page and the 2024 Community Meeting Series page.
The 10 categories identified and developed for Phase 2 aim to narrow down the type of feedback received, which will ultimately help the City Council better understand community preferences and make informed decisions related to each of the community lands. However, we encourage all community members to participate in Phase 2 of the outreach process, even if your preferred use is not explicitly listed as a category.
Following City Council’s review and assessment of the feedback received throughout the outreach program, the City will follow its standard planning and development processes. As part of the next stage, the City plans to issue an RFP for a landscape architect and conduct a development assessment for the proposed uses. The City will then create a prioritized development plan based on community needs.
Parcel C is zoned as a conditional use area. This ensures that activities remain compatible with the neighborhood, especially when it comes to regulating issues such as noise after 7 p.m.
- Does this limit daytime activities? No. Daytime uses are not restricted.
- Does every group need a CUP? Not necessarily. A CUP depends on the type of use. For example, hosting a weekly evening concert at 8 p.m. would require a single CUP, but not all activities would.
- Who determines CUP details? City Council will make final decisions on the conditional uses as part of the design and development process.
At this stage, the focus of Phase 3 is gathering community input on the types of programming the community would like to see at the Performing Arts Center. Specific design details will come later in the process and will be guided by City Council direction at a future meeting.
Phase 1 of the outreach process was intended to get a strong sense of community needs and general preferences regarding the types of uses for the community lands. Based on the extensive public input received, the City identified the most frequent suggestions and developed 10 categories of uses to narrow down the feedback received. The purpose of Phase 2 is to determine which of the 10 categories of uses the community prefers for each individual land. Information about each community land is available on the Community Lands webpage.
Phase 1 of the outreach process was intended to get a strong sense of community needs and general preferences regarding the types of uses for the community lands. Based on the extensive public input received, the City identified the most frequent suggestions and developed 10 categories of uses to narrow down the feedback received.
The purpose of Phase 2 was to determine which of the 10 categories of uses the community prefers for each individual land. After this Phase, City Council authorized staff to begin a phased approach for developing the lands, prioritizing community needs. The approved next steps include:
Heathercliff and loki (Chili Cook-Off Lot) Lots: The City will explore options for new soccer, baseball and softball fields as well as a multigenerational community center, including a pool, gymnasium, senior center and expanded library services.
Parcel C at Cross Creek Ranch (Formerly La Paz) Lot: The Council authorized staff to work with the Cross Creek Ranch developers to create a conceptual rendering for a potential performing arts center.
Triangle and Trancas Lots: The Council did not set direction for these lands at the meeting.
Phase 3 is focused on gathering more detailed community input based on City Council direction. Right now, this phase centers on taking next steps based on City Council Direction. The Malibu Arts Commission is exploring concepts and potential designs for a Performing Arts Center Parcel C at Cross Creek Ranch (formerly La Paz).
The full timeline is still being developed. While some phases may take place in the near future, the overall process will unfold over time and remain ongoing.
Phases 1 and 2 of the outreach program took place from April to October 2024. Following this effort, City Council authorized staff to begin a phased approach for developing the lands, prioritizing community needs. The approved next steps include:
Heathercliff and loki (Chili Cook-Off Lot) Lots: The City will explore options for new soccer, baseball and softball fields as well as a multigenerational community center, including a pool, gymnasium, senior center and expanded library services.
Parcel C at Cross Creek Ranch (Formerly La Paz) Lot: The Council authorized staff to work with the Cross Creek Ranch developers to create a conceptual rendering for a potential performing arts center.
Triangle and Trancas Lots: The Council did not set direction for these lands at the meeting.
Phase 3 is now underway, exploring ideas for a proposed Performing Arts Center for Parcel C at Cross Creek Ranch and a recreation center at Heathercliff.
The City is not obligated to make decisions on the types of uses for these lands under a specific time frame. Any development decisions would be based on further City Council direction and will need to follow the City’s standard processes, which includes obtaining approval from the California Coastal Commission, which can take 6-11 months. If the application is appealed, the process could take an additional six months to complete. Once this process is complete, the City can move forward with the actual development of the lands.
The current outreach program is anticipated to span April to October 2024. Once this process concludes, the City Council will review and discuss the feedback received to determine the best use of the five lands.
The City is not obligated to make decisions on the types of uses for these lands under a specific time frame. Any development decisions would be based on City Council direction and will need to follow the City’s standard processes. Depending on City Council’s decision, the City will then need to go through its standard planning and development process, which includes obtaining approval from the California Coastal Commission, which can take 6-11 months. If the application is appealed, the process could take an additional six months to complete. Once this process is complete, the City can move forward with the actual development of the lands.
Parcel C at the Cross Creek Ranch lot has certain feasibility limitations. You can review the details here.
The public input received from Phase 1 via email, website forms, community meetings, pop-up events and the community survey was used to develop categories for Phase 2. The feedback we receive in Phase 2 will help shape what type of uses will be considered for each of the specific lands.
From 259 email and website form recommendations, the most popular options were:
- Open spaces (15.55%), including pathways, trails, and community gardens
- Community pools/splash pads (14.29%)
- Community centers, encompassing senior centers, youth centers, and libraries (13.13%)
- Grass sports fields (11.97%)
- Sports courts (11.58%)
From 322 suggestions provided during community meetings, the most popular options were:
- Grass sports fields (16.15%) such as football, and baseball/softball facilities
- Community centers (15.84%), which encompass senior centers, youth centers, libraries and visitor centers
- Wide-ranging commercial uses (13.35%)
- Community pools or splash pads (11.8%)
- Open spaces with pathways, trails, and community gardens (11.18%)
- Indoor theaters/arts centers (8.70%)
The FlashVote survey had 201 participants. Of the 201 participants, 142 listed a Malibu address, indicating they are residents. The 142 resident respondents highlighted the following community needs:
- More outdoor recreation options (59.9%)
- Community pool and water play area (57.8%)
- Indoor theater/arts center (46.5%)
- Indoor community center (36.4%)
These same respondents, when asked about their preferences for outdoor recreation, noted the following:
- Outdoor amphitheater space (56.1%)
- Multipurpose grass sports fields (47.1%)
- Full-size multipurpose sports courts (46%)
- Manicured grass park for casual outdoor activities (35.8%)
The outreach and engagement program for Phases 1 and 2 took place over six months, from April through October 2024. Phase 3 has now begun and will continue on an ongoing basis for the foreseeable future.
Malibu acknowledges that decisions regarding these vacant lands can impact those who work and play in the City. Therefore, the engagement process extends beyond just our residents and invites participation from all community members to develop solutions that align with the long-term needs and aspirations of all stakeholders.
The City anticipates that programming would be managed through the Community Services Department. This may require additional staffing to support expanded activities.
Malibu is committed to inclusivity and equity in community decision-making and recognizes that a lot of things may have changed since the last survey that was done over a decade ago. The City has developed an innovative outreach program designed to engage a diverse cross-section of the community. Please view the Outreach and Engagement Plan, which outlines the City’s strategic approach.
The City acquired the “Trancas” lot in November 2016 and the “Heathercliff,” “Chili Cook-Off” and “Triangle” lots in April 2018. The “La Paz” lot was donated to the City in February 2020. Shortly after acquiring four of the five lots, the Woolsey fire swept through Malibu in November 2018, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. As these major events significantly impacted the community and required ample City resources, the City had to postpone the public engagement and development process related to these lands. Since the last form of outreach for these lands was done over a decade ago, the purpose of this ongoing outreach program is to reevaluate the community’s long-term needs and priorities to make well-informed decisions on the future of these lands.
Yes, after determining the best use for the five lands, the City must obtain approval from the California Coastal Commission, which can take 6-11 months. If the application is appealed, the process could take an additional six months to complete.
