R.I.P. Business As usual – Building in Malibu just got a whole lot tougher.

New blood on the Planning Commission shows the tide has turned in favor of slow growth.

New members of the City’s Planning Commission were sworn in on Tuesday, Feb. 7th, 2017, giving the power back to the preservation majority.

It’s about time.

The Team Malibu slate of Skylar Peak, Rick Mullen and Jefferson Wagner, who won the pro-preservation majority in the city council race, put their money where their mouths are by picking an equally powerhouse pro-preservation trio for the Planning Commission.

Chair John Mazza returned to the dias along with returning Vice Chair Mikke Pierson as they welcomed new faces Chris Marx (Ramirez Canyon resident and Rick Mullen’s pick) and long time Malibu local and slow growth advocate, Steve Uhring (Jefferson Wagner’s pick).

This powerful shift in energy and priorities was demonstrated by the new commission as they rejected every project (but one) sending them back to City Staff. Commissioner Uhring was especially tough on the Planning Department, grueling them on each project asking: “Where’s the Planning?”

It’s no secret that the City Planning Department needs a serious (power hungry, paper pushing) attitude adjustment and it looks like this new and improved commission showed them who’s boss – the residents of this community who pay their salaries – not City employees.

Gone are the days when developers perks persuaded City staff to push through problematic projects and development that did not serve the community – and Chair Mazza made that loud and clear.

“Come back when you’ve done your job.”