Concerns in Simi Valley Election

Growth control and hillside preservation: These two concerns have become the main issues in our upcoming city election, as well they should, since they deal with basic values which shape the quality of life in Simi Valley.

These issues are not new to Simi Valley or to the City Council. The seeds of growth control were planted in 1980 when the city adopted population projections well into the future. The city committed itself not to exceed those projections and to slow development if needed.

Last year the City Council recognized that we were reaching our population projections. We reacted, and the first draft of a growth-control ordinance was presented in March of this year. Last year it also became apparent that our hillside performance standards, adopted in 1978, needed some tightening up, so we began a redraft of them.

Both of these new laws began the process through City Council neighborhood councils, public hearings and planning commission hearings. This process allows for the greatest amount of public input, but it is slow. A group of citizens couldn’t wait and generated two initiatives on the same issues. To give the electorate a clear choice, we completed our laws, passed them and put them on the ballot as measures A and B.

Measure A was drafted after reviewing growth-control ordinances of many cities. It limits residential growth to 3,513 homes in the next five years. This allows us to catch up from the past high building rate. After five years the City Council will recalculate the number of permits allowed to reflect the actual population. In 10 years the plan must be put back on the ballot for review by the electorate.

Measure B improves upon our already tough hillside standards. It forces commercial and industrial projects to meet not only the basic requirements but even tougher ones. It includes a map to end any arguments about where the hillsides are.

In my seven years on the City Council, I have built a reputation as someone who listens to the people and who will stand up for the little guy. I was the first to call for growth control, and I have always supported preservation on our hillsides. I would not have voted for Measures A and B had I not believed in them. They are tough laws but fair. They are designed to protect our way of life in Simi Valley.

GREG STRATTON

Simi Valley

The writer is mayor pro tem of Simi Valley.