Environmental Documents & Notices

State law (California Environmental Quality Act) requires that all cities evaluate and consider the potential effect on the environment of projects they undertake directly, such as a capital works project, or for a private entity where the City approves an application.

If the City determines the project may have a significant effect on the environment, the City must prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR):

Describing the effect of the project on the environment
Suggesting "mitigation measures" to reduce the effect
Evaluating alternatives to the project which may have less effect on the environment

If the City determines the project will not have a significant effect on the environment, a (Mitigated) Negative Declaration is prepared stating the reasons why the project will not have a significant effect and suggested mitigation measures.

The EIR or (Mitigated) Negative Declaration must be certified or adopted by the City’s decision-making body. Before the document is certified or approved, the City must:

Provide a draft copy for public review
Include comments that the City received on the draft, and the City’s response to them

Resources

California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines and Statutes
Planning Director Memorandum to Planning Commission

PUBLIC REVIEW

(Mitigated) Negative Declarations and EIRs that are subject to a public review / comment period.

MRCA Lower-Cost Accomodations Public Works plan

The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) is proposing the Malibu Lower-Cost Accommodations Public Works Plan. The Plan proposes a variety of park facility improvements and public outreach programs at the Malibu Bluffs Open Space and the existing campground at Ramirez Canyon Park. The public comment period for input on the preparation an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) ended on December 16. The Malibu City Council considered a draft letter and report from staff on November 28 and submitted its comment letter to the MRCA on December 12, 2022. See details about the Plan, including maps, background, and potential environmental impacts in the Notice of Preparation and on the project website.

THE RYOKAN PROJECT

The Ryokan Project consist of a General Plan, Zoning Map and Local Coastal Program mapping amendments from Community Commercial to Community Visitor-Serving-Two for the existing Ryokan Hotel (22752 PCH) and Tide Pool (22762 PCH), Conditional Use Permit for the conversion of the existing non-conforming uses to a bed and breakfast inn, and a lot tie to maintain the two parcels together. The Planning Department has issued a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration for the environmental document. The 30-day public review period began on December 2, 2021 and ended on January 3, 2022. The State Clearinghouse public review period for agencies began on December 8, 2021 and ended on January 6, 2022 (SCH# 2021120124). The Environmental Review Board will review the project on January 26, 2022. A Planning Commission hearing to consider the project has not been scheduled. Due to the code amendments associated with the project, public hearings before the City Council and California Coastal Commission are required. The staff reports will be available online prior to the meetings. For more information, contact Adrian Fernandez, Assistant Planning Director, at 310-456-2489, ext. 482, or at AFernandez@malibucity.org.

Malibu Inn Motel

The Malibu Inn Motel project consist of a new motel proposed at 22959 Pacific Coast Highway. Due to a technical error in posting the environmental document to the State Clearinghouse, the Planning Department issued a REVISED Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the environmental document. The revised public comment period closed on April 28, 2021. For additional project information including public meetings, visit the project webpage at Malibucity.org/malibuinn.

malibu middle & High school campus project

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is proposing the Malibu Middle & High School Campus Specific Plan and Local Coastal Program Amendment Project. For more information about upcoming public meetings, how to comment on environmental documents, please visit the project web page.

MRCA Coastal Accessways public works plan

The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) is proposing a Malibu Coastal Access Public Works Plan (PWP) for public beach accessways in Malibu. The PWP includes 17 publicly-owned sites along the coast in the City (See Initial Study Table 1-List of Project Sites). The City is currently processing Coastal Development Permits for several of these projects. In response to a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report prepared by MRCA, the City submitted a comment letter. For additional project information and to review the environmental documents, visit the MRCA project web page.

Escondido Canyon Park to Murphy Way Connector Project

The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) Draft Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration for the proposed trail project (CDP No. 16-074) public review and comment period ended April 4, 2019. The Initial Study and its appendices can be viewed online:

Lechuza Beach Public Access Improvements Project

The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) Draft Initial Study and Negative Declaration public review period for this project ended February 24, 2019. The initial study and its appendices can be viewed online:

MRCA Planning Documents - Lechuza Beach Public Access Improvements