Story Poles Dashboard — Quick Guide

What is this?

A research tool built to help you find properties in Malibu that may currently have story poles installed.

How it was built

1. Searched the City of Malibu's public records portal (publicaccess.ci.malibu.ca.us) for any mention of "story poles" using date range of 2025 – current.
2. Downloaded and parsed the relevant PDFs — agendas, staff reports, resolutions, and permits — extracting addresses where story poles were referenced.
3. Plotted those addresses on an OpenStreetMap-based map.
4. Added Google Maps and Street View links for further research and to help assess viability before visiting in person.
5. Extracted and posted under "PDF Pages" any pages from reports that had images of installed poles.

What it is and what it's not

This is a starting point for pole location scouting — not a guarantee that poles are currently standing at any given site. The idea is to start here with this broad shortlist and poke around until you have a more concise shortlist.

Confidence scores (High, Mid, Low) were subjectively assigned based on photo evidence, recency of permit dates, and clarity of pole references.

Map View

Each map pin is a site where story poles were referenced in city documents.

Pins are color-coded: ● Verified · ● Pending · ● Removed

A white ring on a pin indicates High confidence.

Use the Street, Satellite, and Topo buttons to change the map style. Satellite can sometimes show active construction. Street View can help show accessibility and has historical images.

Build your shortlist

Each site has three status options:

• Pending (default) — You haven't reviewed it yet.
• Verified — Looks promising. Mark a site Verified that meets your criteria for worth driving by to scope out in person.
• Removed — Poles are clearly gone, access is bad, or it's not worth pursuing.

Change a site's status when you've made a call on it. Use the filter buttons at the top to show or hide sites by status.

Export Map

The Export Verified Sites for PD button generates a static map page showing only your Verified sites. May be useful when out in the field with no internet — save or screenshot it beforehand as a reference map of your shortlist.

Notes

Each site has a notes field — use it however you like. Click outside the note for it to autosave.

Tip for Getting Started

Start with the High confidence sites — these have actual story pole photos extracted from city documents.

Known Bugs & Notes

• Some source PDF links may point to the wrong document. Working on it.
• Consider widening the date range on the City of Malibu site for additional downloads.

Last updated: March 21, 2026