M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W IN N I N G N E WS PA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXIX • NO. L
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
City continues to host meetings on fire rebuilds
A once-in-a generation opportunity Local architect calls on city leaders to replace outdated septic systems with a modern sewer solution
Residents of Rambla Pacifico, Las Flores Mesa, Pena Road, and La Costa neighborhoods speak out
By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor In Chief
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
In Malibu, when they are rebuilding a home or business after a disaster, victims need to assess and address their parcel’s unique land characteristics, such as landslides and slope concerns, applicable technical guidelines, and building code compliance standards as conditions precedent to obtaining the necessary permits needed to break ground and begin rebuilding. The city offers community meetings tailored for each neighborhood that was damaged in the recent fires to address each area’s ecology, geography, waste disposal attributes and other unique considerations. On April 1, residents in Rambla Pacifico, Las Flores Canyon/Mesa, Pena Road, and La Costa areas convened at City Hall to discuss applicable processes for their rebuilding projects. First, city staff and Lt. Col. Nate Weander of the Army Corps of Engineers updated the progress of debris removal, noting that teams are clearing properties as soon as possible at a rate of 40 parcels a day and teams have cleared more than 260 tons of concrete and other debris. Weander noted the Corps’ efforts currently are CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
As Malibu continues to rebuild in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, a critical conversation is unfolding — one that could shape the city’s future infrastructure, sustainability, and long-term resilience. One of the people at the forefront of this conversation is Christopher Sorensen, principal architect at Sorensen Architects, Inc., and a long-standing member of the Malibu Architects Association. With nearly 30 years of experience designing luxury residences along the coast — his clientele includes names like Pamela An(From left) Buckley Ventress, Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, and Haylynn Conrad speak at RAD Night on Saturday, April 5. Photo courtesy of Buckley Ventress derson and Brad Pitt — Sorensen has seen it all. But even he admits, what Malibu is facing today is unprecedented. ‘Respect All Differences’ event unites Malibu at Aviator Nation after devastating fires Following the recent wildfire, By HAYLEY MATTSON tive, which stands for “Respect All Differences.” first event was at my dad’s home on Las Tunas 327 beach homes were reduced to Publisher, Editor In Chief The event brought together neighbors, advocates, Beach, and that home — just like hundreds of rubble. Now, the homeowners who CONTINUED ON PAGE A6 and local organizations for an evening of music, others — was lost in the fire. Afterward, families Amidst the aftermath of devastating loss, a conversation, and community empowerment were scattered between Santa Monica and the movement was born. Last weekend at Aviator following the Palisades Fire that destroyed over Valley. It felt like we were all displaced, not just Nation in Malibu, local residents gathered for 300 homes in Malibu — including Ventress’s physically, but emotionally. City Council meetthis week a night of healing, unity, and purpose at the in- father’s home — on Jan. 7. ings can be intense, and I wanted to create a safe, augural RAD Night, hosted and organized by “I started the RAD Collective last year as a way comfortable space where people could connect, CONTINUED ON PAGE A6 Buckley Ventress, founder of the RAD Collec- to bring people together,” Ventress shared. “Our
Community comes together at first-ever RAD Night
INSIDE
City of Malibu set to break ground on new permanent Skate Park
By S Of
Everyone got in on the act! Webster Elementary students and teachers strut their stuff in the school’s annual talent show |B1
These artists renderings show how the future Malibu Skate Park will look at Malibu Bluffs Park. Groundbreaking for the the skate park will be Friday, April 11. Courtesy City of Malibu
Smoke can be seen drifting off the coast during the Palisades Fire in January. Photo courtesy of Victoria Franklin Dillon
Mother Nature trumped Lady Luck this time
Victoria Franklin Dillon shares her challenges and hopes as she and her family try to rebuild By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
The matriarch of a family who has lived in its Malibu home for more than seven decades resolutely stands, a statuesque picture of valiant strength who is tormented by worry and uncertainty. Her expression evinces an unenviable combination of resignation and just a glimmer of optimism as she acknowledges that
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Lady Luck — aided by herculean efforts exerted by herself and relatives — has helped to save the family’s home above Pacific Coast Highway many times as wildfires literally scorched the property’s trees and landscapes stopping just short of destroying the family home. Not so in the Palisades Fire, unfortunately. Indeed, Victoria Franklin Dillon shares a harrowing tale about how she barely got out alive
during the latest and largest inferno to assault Malibu. “I had to cut part of a felled tree with a chainsaw in order to free my truck to escape from the oncoming wildfire,” Victoria recounts in a tone that reveals that she is still strongly affected by just how close a call she experienced. Victoria well knows that rebuilding the home will be a much more herculean task. She knows that, like
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Set to open in fall, the facility will feature modern skate elements and serve as a community hub for skaters By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor In Chief
The City of Malibu announced the official groundbreaking of the much-anticipated Malibu Skate Park, a permanent, state-of-theart recreational facility set to elevate the city’s youth and community-oriented offerings. The event will take place on Friday, April 11, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Malibu Bluffs Park, located at
24250 Pacific Coast Highway. All community members, skaters, and supporters are invited to attend the event, which will feature remarks from city leaders, and enjoy food from Jennifer Naylor Catering and Events. “This skate park is more than just a recreational facility — it will be a gathering place that will foster community, promote healthy lifestyles, and embrace Malibu’s deep-rooted skate culture,” said Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart. “We are thrilled to be breaking ground on this vital project.” After years of planning and community collaboration, the new
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Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 • Haylynn Conrad: Let’s talk about the “S” words: sewer and septic News Briefs . . . . . . . . . A3 • Malibu man convicted in app start-up scam Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Local News . . . . . . . . . .A6 Real Estate . . . . . . . . . .A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . B1 • A marathon of resilience and strength People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Malibu Seen: Embracing the ‘tech’ in archiTECHture Community . . . . . . . . . B3 • Sharks boys volleyball hosts Finnish coaches, dines on acai, and wins Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . .B4 Business & Directory . . . B6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .B8 • Waves men’s volleyball downs highly ranked USC
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