SIMI VALLEY : City Delays Vote on Renaming Street
The Simi Valley City Council has postponed a decision on a plan to change the name of a short stretch of First Street to Auto Center Drive after several residents protested the idea.
The plan, proposed as a way to help car dealers, called for renaming First Street between the Simi Valley Freeway and Cochran Street and installing new freeway signs directing motorists to Auto Center Drive.
The city’s car dealers have asked the city for promotional help to boost sluggish sales during the economic downturn.
According to a recent city report, new car dealers in Simi Valley generated $692,000 in sales tax revenue for the city during the 1990-91 fiscal year. To help the dealers, city staff members recommended the street name change and the installation of four small ground-mounted freeway signs at a cost of about $5,000.
But at Monday’s meeting, several residents complained that the name change would create confusion. They also contended that the car dealers were receiving preferential treatment from the city.
Council members told staff to prepare another report listing other options to promote car sales. The matter is scheduled to be discussed again in late July.
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