Residents on Zoom Accuse Commissioner John Maza of Blocking PCH Safety Plan

Philip Falconbridge and another remote commenter used the public‑comment period at the Dec. 1 Malibu Planning Commission meeting to sharply criticize Commissioner John Maza for opposing and, they alleged, helping to organize an appeal of a Pacific Coast Highway safety and repaving project.

"John Maza, you are a disgrace," Philip Falconbridge said during remote public comment, accusing Maza of placing "personal comfort above human lives" and alleging Maza "weaponized" his position to try to stop what callers described as a roughly $55,000,000 safety upgrade. Another remote commenter repeated similar allegations, said Maza had been on the Planning Commission "for 16 years," and called on him to resign.

The accusations were political and personal in tone; commissioners responded by urging speakers to appear in person and cautioning against anonymous or vitriolic remarks. Commissioner Marnie said from the dais that calling in anonymously to make personal attacks was "weak" and encouraged speakers to show their faces at future meetings. Chair Riddick moved the meeting along after the exchange.

The Planning Commission did not take any formal enforcement or investigatory action during the meeting based on the public comments, and no commission member offered evidence during the hearing to substantiate the specific claims that a commission member orchestrated an appeal to Caltrans. The meeting record shows the body proceeded to scheduled agenda items, including staff reports and public hearings on permits and amendments.

What happens next: The Planning Commission's formal agenda items continued; neither the public speakers nor the commission presented documentary evidence at the meeting to substantiate the allegations made during public comment.