SIMI VALLEY : Commission OKs Development Permit

The Simi Valley Planning Commission on Wednesday night unanimously approved a development permit for two golf courses and a roadway extension near Whiteface Mountain, saying they were satisfied that the developer had resolved concerns over grading landslide-prone areas.

The Planning Commission previously had postponed issuing the permit so it could gather more information about the grading of unstable slopes to accommodate the golf courses and the planned roadway.

The first phase of the project proposed by Los Angeles-based Hermes Development International calls for two golf courses--one public and one semi-private--and an extension of Madera Road that will ultimately serve a 360-unit luxury housing development in Dry and Tapo canyons.

The project site extends roughly from the north end of Anderson Drive on the west to the north end of Tapo Canyon Road on the east.

Eric Taylor, a consultant representing Hermes, told the commission that the developer plans to use special grading and compaction techniques to avoid soil movement.

At the July 21 hearing, Hermes proposed to open up the semi-private golf course one day a week to schools and community groups for tournaments. Allowing some public access exempted the developer from the city’s hillside protection ordinance and allow more extensive grading of project site.

But commission members said they were concerned that the developer has too many restrictions on public use of the course proposed for Dry Canyon. Hermes’ officials argued that restrictions are necessary to justify club fees and help attract buyers to a planned development of million-dollar homes.

Taylor said the developer’s plans now would allow the general public to play on weekdays when time slots are available. They would have to make reservations a day in advance.

Bill Gillmore, Hermes project manager, said construction of the golf courses would begin at the end of the year and would be completed in 18 months.

“I’m thrilled,” Gillmore said of the commission’s decision. “I think this project will be a benefit to the community in terms of jobs and prestige.”