Local News in Brief : Simi Council Approves Church Despite Neighbors’ Opposition

The Simi Valley City Council has approved plans for construction of a church despite the protests of hundreds of homeowners living nearby.

The council voted 4 to 1 Monday to allow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to build a 1-story facility at Sinaloa and Highland roads. Councilman Glen McAdoo voted against the project, which includes a chapel, offices and a large meeting hall.

About 500 residents living near the site in Simi Valley’s southwestern corner signed petitions asking the City Council to overturn an Oct. 19 Planning Commission decision approving the project.

“Mormons are fine people--that’s not the issue,” said Robert Nimmons, president of the Country Lane Homeowners Assn. “The homes out here are on 1/2-acre lots, and lots of us keep horses and ride along the roads and in the community riding ring. To all of a sudden have traffic here--we’re very concerned.”

Nimmons said the homeowners are considering a lawsuit against the city.

Mayor Gregory A. Stratton said the church will be required to use buses to transport people when large meetings are held on the grounds of the 7-acre site.

“We understand the neighbors’ concerns and prohibited any parking outside the 284-space parking lot,” Stratton said.

Donald Peart, the architect of the building and a member of the church, said he thought residents’ fears were unfounded.

“Churches, especially Mormon ones, are good neighbors,” Peart said.