Richard Mollica Appointed Acting As Malibu Planning Director

MALIBU, CA — Richard Mollica, who has served as the City Of Malibu’s assistant planning director for more than a year, has been appointed acting planning director after the city's director for the past five years, Bonnie Blue, announced plans to leave the position later this month.

In a news release, city officials announced that Blue will step down from the role on Oct. 20, a day after the Malibu Planning Commission is scheduled to meet. Blue has announced she will move to Florida to be closer to her family after serving the city for 14 years, the past five of which she has worked as planning director.

During her time with the city, Blue shepherded many planning initiatives including the Dark Skies Ordinance, the Formula Retail Ordinance and Fire-Resistant Landscape Ordinance to protect Malibu’s rural resident character and unique natural environment.

Mollica will step into the role on an acting basis on Oct. 21, the city announced.

“Having served as a Planning Commissioner for over six years, I know first-hand what a competent, professional job Bonnie has done leading the City’s Planning Department and I am very pleased that Richard Mollica will be serving in this acting capacity,” Malibu Mayor Mikke Pierson said in a news release.

After graduating from Malibu High School, Mollica earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California=Irvine. Mollica is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners and has worked for the city for over 15 years in various roles within the Planning Department. In recent years, Mollica has helped manage the planning process for the City’s fire rebuild effort making it easier for residents to rebuild. He was promoted to Assistant Planning Director in July 2019, according to the news release.

City officials said that naming Mollica as acting planning director will ensure continuity of planning services while the City continues its search for a permanent planning director.