SIMI VALLEY : Souder Named to Planning Panel

The Simi Valley City Council appointed Bill Souder, a 47-year-old electrical engineer, to the Planning Commission on Monday night.

The council voted 4 to 1 to appoint Souder to fill a vacancy left by former commission Chairman Bob Barrett, who resigned last month after announcing that he had sold his house and was moving out of the city.

Councilwoman Sandi Webb was the dissenting vote. “I don’t believe he has the objectivity required for this job,” she said.

Webb was referring to Souder’s involvement in an Indian Hills neighborhood group that has actively opposed development of a fast-food restaurant and police shooting range nearby.

Souder was nominated by Councilman Michael Piper, who praised Souder’s professional experience and involvement in the community on a neighborhood council. Souder is director of engineering for View Engineering in Simi Valley.

Each member of the City Council is responsible for the nomination of one planning commissioner. The term of each commissioner is concurrent with the term of the nominating council member.

Souder was chosen from a pool of 20 applicants.

In his application, Souder expressed this view on development in the city:

“I believe Simi Valley should grow at a low to moderate rate with great care to maintain a high quality of life for its residents.”

The five-member Planning Commission advises the council on development issues.