SIMI VALLEY : Hearing on Development Continued

The Simi Valley Planning Commission has decided to continue for the second time a public hearing on a proposal by two developers to build a massive residential and recreational development in three vacant canyons north of the city limits.

Although the commission allowed a handful of residents to voice their concerns about the size of the development Wednesday night, the panel decided to continue the rest of the proceedings on the so-called Whiteface project until Dec. 11. The proposed development backs up to the steep, 2,230-foot Whiteface cliff that is visible throughout the city.

Commissioner Sherida Simmons was absent from Wednesday’s meeting, and Chairman Robert Barrett said he wanted to wait until all five commissioners were present because of the size and scope of the project. The commission delayed an earlier hearing on Oct. 23 because of a full agenda.

Two Los Angeles developers, Lowe Development Corp. and Hermes Development International, want to build 1,481 residential units and three golf courses on a 2,686-acre site in the hillsides and canyons north of the city. Most of the housing units--1,128--would be part of a private community for seniors.

The project site extends from the north end of Erringer Road on the west to the north end of Tapo Canyon Road on the east, and includes Sand Canyon, Dry Canyon and Tapo Canyon. Most of the development would occur in Sand Canyon because it is the widest of the three canyons.

The site is included in Simi Valley’s sphere of influence--land the city can apply to annex. If approved by the Planning Commission and the City Council, the city would then appeal to the Local Agency Formation Commission to annex the land.

About a half-dozen residents complained to the commission Wednesday night that the proposed project would be detrimental to the environment by increasing traffic and air pollution in the area.

“I don’t think one can . . . say we need more homes in Simi Valley,” resident Barbara Robinson said. There are many vacant houses in the city, she said, and several other approved housing developments have yet to be built.

Proposed Whiteface Project

Two Los Angeles developers want to build a massive housing development-1,481 residences-and three golf courses in three canyons north of Simi Valley’s city limits.

Source: Simi Valley Planning Development