SIMI VALLEY : Panel Backs Division of 67-Acre Property

Plans to build on one of the few vacant properties in Simi Valley’s flatlands have moved forward as city planners recommended the division of the 67-acre parcel among three separate developers.

The property owners requested the move at Wednesday night’s Simi Valley Planning Commission meeting after spending six years in a stalemate over how the land at Madera Road and Los Angeles Avenue should be developed.

The property is the site of the annual Simi Valley Days.

The Planning Commission’s 3-0 vote, which will be forwarded to the City Council, would allow for both commercial and residential developments on the gateway property. Commissioner Michael Piper abstained and Commissioner Dean Kunicki was absent.

Debate at the meeting focused on conflicting city policies that both limit the density of development and call for more low-income housing.

Joel Silverman, who spoke for property owner Great Western Bank, asked the commission to be flexible about the density of the planned development in exchange for the construction of a greater number of affordable homes.

“We have always been encouraged to go for affordable housing, and this property is perfect for it,” Silverman said.

The commissioners eventually agreed that affordable housing should be a goal of the project.

While Wednesday’s approval is a step forward for developers, city planners said construction on the property is still years away.