The Malibu City Council voted 3-1 Monday night to approve a comprehensive safety improvement project for Pacific Coast Highway, denying an appeal and moving forward with more than $50 million in state-funded upgrades along 16 miles of roadway.
The California Department of Transportation project will install 19 new guardrails, 22 upgraded curb ramps, 6,956 linear feet of new sidewalks, three retaining walls, two realigned intersections, 27 new light poles, 9.7 miles of bike lanes, a law enforcement pullout area and median reconstruction at various locations between the Ventura County line and Serra Road.
The Malibu Township Council had appealed the Planning Commission's November approval, arguing the project was not the least environmentally damaging alternative and violated public access provisions. The group requested that Caltrans reduce speed limits by 5 mph, eliminate proposed sidewalks at Pepperdine University and Corral Canyon State Beach, remove lighting near Malibu Seafood and between Zuma View Place and Zumirez Drive, paint bike lanes green and consult with first responders about potential impacts.
Mayor Marianne Riggins moved to uphold the Planning Commission's original approval, which gave Caltrans flexibility to retain all 27 light poles if needed, though the agency had voluntarily reduced the count from an initial 38 lights.
"I think that the area of Malibu seafood deserves to have some additional lighting in it, and the area near Zumirez, I'm in that area all the time, it's extremely dark," Riggins said. "The dark skies lighting is responsible, and it is something that is going to help safety at night for people who are out on the roads."
Councilmember Doug Stewart seconded the motion, saying the council's approval gives Caltrans options rather than mandating specific elements.
"I think we're not denying Caltrans ability to take out the lights if they want to, but by having the approval of the Planning Commission, they have the option to keep those lights in place," Stewart said. "We've got a safety issue here on Corral, and that area along PCH. It's dark."
Stewart emphasized the need to protect pedestrians, not just reduce speeding.
"It's not about just speeding on PCH. We have pedestrians that are in harm's way," he said. "We've got to get them off the street and out of harm's way. And if you look at the tragic accident with Pepperdine women, they were actually standing behind cars, and they still got hit."
Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein voted in favor but said he preferred approving the modifications Caltrans had negotiated with the Malibu Township Council after the Planning Commission hearing, which reduced the light count.
"I specifically asked Caltrans whether they were satisfied with the changes that they volunteered and that they do not impair the safety proposals. And they said yes," Silverstein said.
He acknowledged the project's limitations while supporting approval.
"These changes are somewhat cosmetic, even if they'll have incremental safety benefit," Silverstein said. "The real safety change is slowing speed. Everyone knows it. The real safety change is not just narrowing lanes with a little bit... The real change is making it one lane in each direction and having real bike lanes that are separated from the roadway."
He added: "We have immediate safety issues. If we can just save one person from being harmed or much less killed, we can't say no."
Councilmember Steve Uhring cast the lone dissenting vote, expressing frustration that the project doesn't adequately address what he called the primary cause of fatalities.
"Speeding is the number one cause of death on PCH, number one cause has been all along," Uhring said. "I spent $55 million and I'd like to see something happen on PCH, which at least starts to slow down the traffic, because that's what's killing people."
The project gained urgency following the deaths of four Pepperdine University students who were struck while standing on a sidewalk. Stewart referenced the tragedy during discussion.
Councilmember Haylynn Conrad recused herself before the vote, citing strong personal opinions. In an emotional statement, she criticized opponents and apologized to Caltrans engineers.
"I have watched in real disappointment as planning commissioners and residents have spoken to visiting engineers with a tone and an attitude, in my view, is unacceptable," Conrad said. "To the Caltrans engineers who have tried to work with us in good faith, I want to say that I'm sorry for the way that some of you were treated."
The most contentious element involved a proposed 1,855-foot sidewalk between Malibu Canyon Road and John Tyler Road along Pepperdine University property. Pepperdine and the Malibu Township Council argued for removing or relocating the sidewalk.
Caltrans insisted the inland sidewalk is the most feasible option because it remains entirely within the state right-of-way and avoids environmental reviews and delays that would result from acquiring additional rights-of-way from the city or county. Caltrans noted the sidewalk connects to existing sidewalks on Malibu Canyon Road and John Tyler Drive.
As a condition from the Planning Commission that remains in the approval, Caltrans must gather input from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, LA County Fire Department and Pepperdine University regarding the sidewalk design before building permits are issued. City staff must ensure Caltrans has communicated with and considered input from these parties.
The council also required all light fixtures to be Dark Sky compliant, fully shielded, 3,000 kelvin in color temperature and directed downward.
Regarding the Corral Canyon sidewalk controversy, staff noted the plans show the proposed 2,483-foot sidewalk would be placed on the outer edge of the right-of-way, not between the highway and parking spaces, meaning it would not alter vehicle access to existing parking.
Before the vote, Silverstein urged the Malibu Township Council not to appeal to the California Coastal Commission.
"Please don't appeal this," he said. "It's not going to go anywhere. It'll just hold up the project."
Stewart emphasized the city's partnership with Caltrans is essential given Malibu's limited resources.
"One of the things that's been said quite often has been Malibu should take over PCH," Stewart said. "We have a $60 million general fund budget. We're spending—you're watching $50 million being spent just on fixing PCH. We don't have the money to do this. We have to work with our partners at Caltrans to get this done."
The project represents phase one of a two-phase pavement rehabilitation plan, with improvements to eastern Malibu PCH to follow.