Planning Commission Adopts Rule Change: Commissioner Comments Moved, Three‑Minute Limit Set

The Malibu Planning Commission on March 3 adopted a change to its rules of procedure and decorum that moves commissioner and staff comments to the end of the agenda and limits each commissioner’s allotted response during the public‑comment portion to three minutes. The amendment passed 3–2 after a lengthy public discussion and commissioner debate.

The proposal, introduced as an amendment to Planning Commission Resolution No. 2361, was justified by supporters as a way to preserve applicants’ time and city resources and to protect members of the public who attend hearings from lengthy, repeated procedural delays. Commissioner Elizabeth (first name only in the record) and other supporters said advanced structure and time limits would make the commission’s meetings more efficient and user‑friendly for constituents and applicants.

Opponents argued the change would reduce transparency and the commission’s ability to respond promptly to public concerns. Commissioner John (first name only in the record) said he feared moving comments would delay necessary responses to people who traveled to a meeting to speak. Several commissioners and the city attorney noted that Brown Act rules still allow only brief responses to public comment and that any commissioner‑initiated longer discussion can be accomplished by agendizing a future item or by a majority vote to amend the agenda at a meeting.

City attorney (on record as Kellen) advised the commission that the Brown Act permits only brief, clarifying or reactionary replies to public comment during that portion of the meeting and that procedural choices about where to place commissioner comments on the agenda are within the commission’s authority. Commissioners agreed the chair can exercise discretion and the commission can, by majority vote, extend comment time for a particular meeting when warranted.

Roll‑call on the motion produced the following votes: Vice Chair Peake — yes; Commissioner Leonard — yes; Commissioner Mazza — no; Commissioner Riddick — yes; Chair Hill — no. The motion therefore carried 3–2. The commission instructed staff to return with a resolution reflecting the adopted changes and to rescind Resolution No. 2361 accordingly.

Commissioners debated additional implementation details (use of a time clock for commissioners, language tying the three‑minute limit to Brown Act constraints, and whether the chair could move commissioner comments forward by agreement for a specific meeting). The adopted approach allows the commission to amend the agenda or extend time by majority vote as circumstances require.