Schmitz & Associates is a Malibu-founded land use consulting firm with nearly 30 years of experience guiding property owners, buyers, developers and project teams through zoning analysis, Coastal Development Permits, entitlements, environmental review, wildfire rebuilding and agency coordination in Malibu and throughout Southern and Central California. The firm was founded by Don Schmitz, II, AICP, a former Coastal Program Analyst for the California Coastal Commission, and is featured on the cover of Malibu Magazine’s Special Home Edition in “Building Through the Fire.”
Author: Schmitz & Associates
Why California Permits Take So Long, and What You Can Do
Most permit delays do not come from a single obstacle. They build gradually through an incomplete submittal, a second round of comments, or an environmental issue that no one anticipated. Each interruption may seem manageable on its own, but together they can push a project schedule back by months or even a year. Amy Ablakat,… Read More
Newport Beach Coastal Housing Plan Approved by California Coastal Commission
Newport Beach’s coastal housing plan recently advanced after a unanimous California Coastal Commission approval of amendments to the City’s coastal zone Housing Opportunity Overlay. Schmitz & Associates supported the City through a high-stakes land use and entitlement process involving state housing requirements, Coastal Commission review, environmental protection, public access, development feasibility, and Builder’s Remedy risk…. Read More
Feed Body & Soul
Feed Body & Soul restaurant is located at 1239 Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. It is a lifestyle restaurant located on world-famous Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA. The space, formally occupied by a bookstore and a deli was successfully converted into a full-service restaurant, with Schmitz & Associates securing entitlements in record time. In addition… Read More
La Paz Ranch, Malibu CA
The La Paz Ranch Project is one of the largest and most ambitious commercial projects to be proposed and approved in the City of Malibu. In a jurisdiction with one of the most restrictive Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allowances, and in a community with numerous vocal and active environmental and conservation groups, this project’s approval… Read More
ROSENTHAL WINE ESTATE, MALIBU CA
his $59.5 million wine estate and 12,000 square foot single family residence is one of the most distinctive properties in the City of Malibu and in the Santa Monica Mountains. This 235 acre property also has two guesthouses, an office, a wine-tasting room, two pools, horse stables and a banquet room. Schmitz & Associates has… Read More
OCEAN HILLS HOUSE
Location. The Ocean Hills Houses is located at 18805, 18807 & 18809 Pacific Coast Hwy in the City of Malibu. Notable Characteristics. Ocean Hills consists of three lots totaling 49 acres. The primary lot will consist of a 9,559 sq ft home with a 900 sq ft guest house. On the second lot a 9,141… Read More
MARINA PARK, NEWPORT BEACH CA
Marina Park is located along the North side of the Balboa Peninsula on Balboa Boulevard between 15th and 18th Streets in the City of Newport Beach. The features of this proposed $21 million, 9 acre park includes a new 23 slip visitor-vessel-serving marina with a 200 foot side tie area complete with Dinghy and small… Read More
LAFETRA HOUSE
Location. The LaFetra House is located at 6525 Point Lechuza Drive in the City of Malibu. Notable Characteristics. The LaFetra House is 2,608 square feet and has four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, radiant heating, and solar power. The house was the final building designed by the famed architect Pierre Koenig, who is best… Read More
ANACAPA VIEW DRIVE, MALIBU CA
Schmitz & Associates successfully represented the applicants and secured two Coastal Development Permits for an 11,165 sq. ft. single-family residence and water tank/access road from the City of Malibu in 2011. This development also provides improvements to the surrounding area as a dedicated trail easement, improved fire department access to Anacapa View Drive and a… Read More
MALIBU VALLEY FARMS, CALABASAS HIGHLANDS
The Malibu Valley Farms is an equestrian facility located near King Gillette Ranch Park in unincorporated Los Angeles County that was rebuilt after a wildfire destroyed a part of the property in 1996. This equestrian facility consists of a 45,000 square foot arena, a 25,200 square foot riding arena, a back mare motel, a 1,440… Read More
SUNSET RIDGE PARK, NEWPORT BEACH CA
Sunset Ridge Park is located at the Northwest corner of Superior Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway in the City of Newport Beach. Acquired from Caltrans in 2006, the property was purchased by the City for the purpose of providing a public active park (youth soccer fields, youth baseball field, playground, public viewing areas and pedestrian… Read More
BORNA, MALIBU CA
Schmitz & Associates successfully acquired a Coastal Development Permit for ELN, LLC through a unanimous approval from the California Coastal Commission in October 2012. The permit was for a proposed 7,913 square foot single-family residence which will be located north of the Malibu city boundary along Borna Road near Latigo Canyon Road and Solstice Canyon…. Read More
RANCHO FRANCISCO, MALIBU CA
Schmitz & Associates successfully acquired a Coastal Development Permit for ELN, LLC through a unanimous approval from the California Coastal Commission in October 2012. The permit was for a proposed 7,913 square foot single-family residence which will be located north of the Malibu city boundary along Borna Road near Latigo Canyon Road and Solstice Canyon…. Read More
Commanding the Tide
As climate change and sea level rise become more commonplace in our recurring discussion and conversations, so has it become more frequent in our public policy and land use planning. We urge you to take a moment and consider the implications of these changes and consider how best to mitigate the looming impacts. Don Schmitz… Read More
Applause for Project Success and Our Hard Working Planning Commissioners
We recently saw the success of a project at the Malibu Planning Commission. This was a project by a long standing member of the community who has labored long and hard to make the community a better place. As a result of expert planning and rational engagement, combined with passionate clients, we experienced success as… Read More
Malibu Fire Resistant Landscape LCPA at CCC August 12th
Dear City of Malibu Residents: Please take a moment to review the update to our Local Coastal Program as it has the potential to impact you and your home! We at Schmitz and Associates would like to inform you of the proposed fire resistant landscape local coastal program amentment which is going before the CCC… Read More
Short-Term Rentals Ordinance – August 10, 2020
Short-Term Rentals – August 10, 2020 Malibu City Council Public Hearing Dear City of Malibu Residents: Please take a moment to review the update from our City Council below and consider attending the meeting! The Malibu City Council will hold a virtual public hearing to consider a short-term rental ordinance on Monday, August 10, 2020… Read More
Don Schmitz Weighs in on the Point Dume Stairs Conundrum
Read the full article on abc7.com
Malibu’s Emergency Woolsey Fire Rebuild Ordinance Achieve’s Approval Before CCC
The California Coastal Commission has cleared the way for Malibu’s emergency Woolsey Fire rebuild ordinance to achieve its final approval. The amendment proposed by the City includes revisions to existing temporary housing regulations to allow for temporary housing structures to be placed on a property during reconstruction and allows for these temporary structures to be… Read More
Don Schmitz and CFSC Present Revolutionary Community Fire Defense Strategy
On February 27, the Coalition for Fire Safe Communities, led by Don Schmitz, spoke to a room packed with community members and elected officials interested in an innovative new system to fight devastating wild fires. He described the idea, known as First Fire Defense System, as many things, but in short, more effective than using… Read More
Fire Code May Block Woolsey Rebuilds
In contrast to the City of Malibu’s original comments and speculations, it now appears that home owners may not receive any concessions from fire requirements. According to quotes made Monday by Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby, rebuilds will have to conform to all county fire codes, regardless of feasibility. This is could be… Read More
Malibu’s Water Infrastructure Must be Improved to Protect us from Future Wildfires
Don Schmitz and the team are preparing to continue outreach on behalf of the community, and will be arguing that local water districts and the City must react analytically and develop appropriate policies. To ensure that residents have the water demands necessary to mitigate and stop future wildfires, we must carefully considered what transpired in… Read More
Woolsey Fire – Exemptions for Improvements to Existing SFR’s
Below is a letter Schmitz and Associates, Inc. has sent to the both the City of Malibu and LA County Planning that articulates our concerns related to delays in the permit process for fire survivors, should the fire department maintain it’s requirements for access and turnarounds. If you have any questions or comments please feel… Read More
A Letter to the City of Malibu – Intelligently Expediting Fire Rebuilds
Re: Coastal Development Permit Exemption and Emergency Coastal Development Permit Dear Ms. Blue: I want to thank you for providing valuable assistance to the wildfire victims and the community outreach you have facilitated. I would also like to express my grave concerns with potential time delays in fire rebuilds[1]. Given the recent statements by Los… Read More