Malibu Planner Earns an "F" for Pathetic Ploy

Shedding crocodile tears In a self serving pathetic ploy for sympathy and possibly a golden parachute is the Malibu planner who had recommended the questionable approval for what has to be one of the more egregious commercial projects in the city’s disquieting development.

The proposed bastardized motel/hotel in mid city, calling for multiple suspect variances, faced a storm of public protests, and was ultimately rejected by the City Council; the only approving vote it received was from the shameless diehard pro development Paul Grisanti. Sadly, no surprise.

As for the pro development planner, Adrian Fernandez, he was rightly and politely chided for his suspect advocacy, in what was a well behaved if lengthy hearing chaired by an admirably patient Mayor Steve Uhring.

A review of the taped proceedings available on the Malibu city’s website should put to rest the meeting’s description as abusive by Fernandez.

Not incidentally Fernandez's falsehood was irresponsibly echoed by Councilpersons Stewart and Grisanti in blatant, twisted political statements, no doubt in anticipation of the upcoming local election this Fall.

Reviewing Fernandez’s rambling, dubious appeal to the Council, as a former professor of planning, a practicing planner and an author of planning texts, I would grade the effort an “F” and he reconsider public service as a career.

Particularly glaring is his omission of the why the protests; why in shepherding the project on behalf of the developers were the variances recommended, putting the city and the project itself at possible risk.

Sadly Fernandez’s unprofessional diatribe has not done himself any favors, nor Malibu any service.