Simi Outlines Bonus Plan for Issuing Permits

After more than a year of discussions with members of the business community, the Simi Valley City Council has agreed on criteria for ranking rank residential developments that are awaiting building permits.

A July, 1986, slow-growth ordinance allows the city to issue only about 107 building permits a quarter.

Developers can compete to get to the top of the permit waiting list by attaching bonuses to their projects, such as taking steps to improve traffic at nearby intersections, contributing funds for capital improvements in the city or by building at a lower density than allowed, said Fred Buss, senior planner for the city. A numerical value will be attached to each bonus.

Lower-ranking bonuses developers could offer to improve their projects’ chances include providing funds to rehabilitate schools, establishing an apprenticeship program for residents and donating recreation equipment to community sports programs.

The community improvements offered by developers will be in addition to all Planning Commission requirements.

The ranking criteria were required by a new permit allocation ordinance that took effect at the beginning of the year.

During a Monday night public hearing, Paul Tryon, spokesman for the Building Industry Assn., said he felt that some of the criteria are inappropriate, referring several times to establishing apprenticeship and scholarship programs.

He also said that, when developers compete for permits by offering benefits to the city, the buyer eventually will bear the cost.