Planning commission approves Malibu Urgent Care expansion to add CT, MRI and 9 treatment rooms

The Malibu Planning Commission on Aug. 4, 2025 voted to approve Planning Commission Resolution No. 2,563, clearing the way for Malibu Urgent Care to remodel and expand into the adjacent former U.S. Postal Service space and add on-site diagnostic equipment including CT and MRI scanners.

Staff said the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and recommended approval. "Staff recommends the Planning Commission adopt Planning Commission Resolution 2,563 determining the project's categorically exempt from CEQA and approving APR 24032 and CUP 24006," city planning staff member Richard Greenbauer told commissioners during the hearing.

The expansion will move the clinic’s urgent care functions into a roughly 6,600-square-foot lease space and redevelop the existing 2,300-square-foot clinic area for other uses such as physical therapy. The application includes interior and exterior remodeling, site parking adjustments and a landscaped healing garden. The applicant told the commission the enlarged facility will include nine exam/treatment rooms, on-site X-ray, lab space, a small dispensary and advanced imaging (CT and MRI).

Why it matters: Malibu has no hospital within city limits and the nearest emergency departments are at least 15 miles away when traffic and time of day are considered. Doctor Dan Katz, one of the clinic’s physicians, told the commission the clinic has operated continuously since 1994 and is staffed with emergency-trained doctors. "Despite 11,000 residents and millions of visitors per year, we do not have a hospital here in Malibu," Dr. Katz said. He added, "The clinic has never ever closed, not 1 single day." He and partners said the expanded facility will let the clinic treat higher-acuity patients locally and reduce transfers to distant hospitals.

Public support and fundraising: The hearing drew a large turnout of residents publicly supporting the project. Members of the nonprofit Friends of Malibu Urgent Care described ongoing fundraising for equipment. The nonprofit and applicants reported about $1 million already raised, a $3 million anchor pledge from the Coombe Family Foundation and a conditional $5 million matching commitment from the Herb Alpert Foundation; applicants said the match is not yet complete. Applicants said equipment purchases are contingent on raising the necessary funds.

Commission action and next steps: Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the staff resolution approving the administrative plan review and conditional use permit. The written action adopted by the commission authorizes the clinic remodel and the CUP as presented; staff will finalize permit paperwork and the applicants may proceed with building permit submittals and equipment procurement once financing and permit clearances are in place.

What supporters and doctors said: Dr. Katz described clinical needs that would be addressed by on-site imaging and lab capacity, citing examples from recent patient care and wildfire response. "We will be conducting our second cardiac screening for high school athletes," he said, describing the clinic’s community programs. Architect Jennifer Hoppel of Birch Architects summarized the proposed design and said the team had coordinated with planning staff on exterior and site changes.

Opposition and limits: The commission did not receive letters opposing the expansion during the public comment period and no speakers urged denial at the hearing. Conditions of approval require conformance with the city’s zoning and building standards; the city will review final building permits and any equipment installations that require additional regulatory approvals.

Ending: With permits now approved, applicants said they will continue fundraising and will submit building, electrical and equipment permits as funding is secured. The clinic’s board and the Friends of Malibu Urgent Care urged the community to contribute; the nonprofit maintains online information for donors.