Final Approval for Simi Mall Just 1 Step Away

The Simi Valley City Council has unanimously approved the environmental impact report on a proposed 1.5-million-square-foot mall and office complex, moving within one step of giving final approval to the long-awaited project.

The vote came Thursday night after a five-hour hearing on the development, which has been in the planning stages for five years.

“It’s really quite exciting to get this far,” Mayor Greg Stratton said. “I think for all intents and purposes we should wrap this thing up Monday night.”

The council at its regular meeting Monday will decide whether to endorse the project’s specific plan, basically a blueprint of the proposed development.

Indianapolis-based Melvin Simon & Associates wants to build a 950,000-square-foot fully enclosed mall on a 126-acre site north of the Simi Valley Freeway, between 1st Street and Erringer Road. The project would also include 500,000 square feet of additional commercial and office space.

Only a few of the two dozen residents who attended Thursday’s hearing expressed concerns about significant increases in traffic and pollution that would be generated by the project. They said that while they are not necessarily opposed to the mall, they want assurances that the city is going to require the developer to do everything possible to reduce negative effects.

“I think we do need the mall,” said resident Fred Harrison. “I just think it has to be a good development and that the city makes sure that all the necessary safeguards are put in.”

Councilwoman Judy Mikels said the city’s planning staff has worked closely with the developer for the past five years to do just that.

Noting there are “always going to be concerns” about a big development, she said, “ . . . I fully believe that every precaution has been taken to make this a good project.”

The environmental report concluded that when the massive project is completely built out it will generate approximately 45,700 additional vehicle trips a day. However, the report said that the increased traffic could be reduced or managed by way of street improvements and various ride-sharing programs for employees.

“The one point we’ve got in our favor is that there is no other traffic in that area,” Stratton said.

Melvin Simon officials have said they hope to break ground on the project by mid-1993, but that it’s possible that date could be pushed back.

Representatives for the developer could not be reached for comment Thursday, but Kevin Kudlo, project manager, said in an earlier interview that although the developer had a letter of intent from one department store chain to join the Simi Valley mall, no actual agreements have been reached with any large retailers. He attributed that to the sluggish economy and the slump in the retail market.

Kudlo said Melvin Simon needs to sign at least three department stores before construction begins in order to ensure financing for the project.