SIMI VALLEY : Concern Voiced on Plans for School Site

A small group of Simi Valley residents voiced concerns Tuesday about a proposal by the Simi Valley Unified School District and two private developers to build a shopping center and housing project on surplus school property next to the Civic Center.

About 35 neighbors of the site complained that the city already has a high retail vacancy rate and does not need another shopping center. They said the commercial center and the apartments would also generate significant traffic and crime problems for their neighborhood.

“There are already stores vacant right across the street from the site,” said Nancy Rider, a nearby resident. “There’s too much retail vacancy in the whole valley. There is no reason for any more commercial space.”

The residents, who said they want the property to remain zoned for single-family houses, raised their objections at a meeting held at Township School and sponsored by CSA Real Estate Development and Lederer Development, the two companies that proposed the project.

Eugene Lederer, president of Lederer Development, defended the proposal and blamed the vacancy rate on poor planning, poor location and poor management. “We share the concern not to invade your style of living or reduce the value of your houses,” Lederer said.

School officials last month unveiled development plans for the vacant 36-acre site at Tapo Canyon Road and Alamo Street, across from the Civic Center. The project would include a shopping center on 26 acres, and a combination of single-family houses and apartments on the remaining 10 acres.

School officials say the project would generate millions of dollars in much-needed revenue for the financially strapped district. The money would be used to build new science and computer labs, and for maintenance and repairs of buildings at the district’s 27 campuses.

The City Council is scheduled to consider the matter Monday.