Sea Level Drive homeowners face two more weeks of uncertainty Play

At the western end of town at Lechuza Beach off of Broad Beach Road, the news is not good. The owners of 31 houses along East Sea Level Drive will have to wait another two weeks to even find out what the plans are for their future.

Malibu Building Chief Yolanda Bundy told the City Council Monday night: “Last Tuesday the city received an email that the first contractor that was hired has been terminated and a new contractor is coming on board. We were informed this morning that the contract has been signed. The contractor is a local contractor that knows the city, that understands the urgency on this matter.”

The city is not in charge at Sea Level Drive — the Homeowners Association is hiring the contractor.

Five weeks ago Malibu red tagged 31 houses there because the rocks under their private street had eroded away. This is the collapse under actor Nicolas Cage's oceanfront house.

Gas, electric lines and water supplies have been shut off to the entire subdivision, and the road, Sea Level Drive, is not passable by any vehicle, much less fire trucks.

It's been five weeks since that happened. The road has been secured but not repaired, according to Bundy. It may be another two weeks before the people out there get an estimate on when they can move back.