SIMI VALLEY : Council May Permit Potbellied Pigs

Simi Valley City Council members said they favor allowing residents to keep potbellied pigs as household pets and allowing churches to locate in business parks.

Council members also said during their meeting Monday that they support a plan that would allow a counseling center for the homeless to operate in a business park.

However, the council postponed a formal vote on these and 68 other proposals being considered in a revised zoning ordinance until its Dec. 9 meeting. Officials said they need more time to review the changes.

Resident Lisa Rozzano, who asked the city in April to classify potbellied pigs as household pets, such as dogs and cats, said she was surprised that none of the council members objected.

“I was stunned that it went that easy,” said Rozzano, who recently bought a 7-week-old pig for $400.

Councilwoman Sandi Webb said she thought that the pigs, which grow to be about a foot high, would actually make better pets than dogs because they don’t bark or bite.

Rozzano and her husband, Frank, had threatened to sell their house and move if the council had decided not to go along with their request.