Council Approves Supermarket Project : Simi Valley: Residents argue that a 24-hour Smith’s Food would increase traffic and crime. But officials emphasize services and jobs.

Despite opposition from dozens of angry homeowners, the Simi Valley City Council voted 3 to 1 Monday night to allow the construction of a $10-million, 24-hour supermarket in a neighborhood north of the Simi Valley Freeway.

Councilman Paul Miller voted against the project. Mayor Greg Stratton abstained from the vote, citing a possible conflict of interest.

“This is a difficult decision for me, because my property backs up against a vacant lot,” Councilwoman Sandi Webb told members of the audience. “But as far as I can see, the impacts of this project are the same or less than anything else proposed for it (the property).”

The vote culminates years of debate surrounding the proposal to build a 59,000-square-foot Smith’s Food and Drug market on a 9.5-acre, weed-covered lot near the Simi Valley Freeway and Sycamore Drive.

Dozens of angry homeowners urged the Simi Valley City Council to kill the plan, arguing that the project would increase noise, traffic and crime in their neighborhood. And they said they would hold council members accountable for their votes.

“Before you make your decision, remember it’s the Simi Valley people who voted for the council, not the Utah-based Food King,” resident Jim Thompson said.

The council changed the city’s General Plan to allow the project on the property, which was zoned for 60 condominiums. Although about 200 residents have signed a petition in support of the project, another 900 residents signed a petition opposing it.

Residents opposed to the project outnumbered those in favor by more than 4 to 1 at last night’s meeting.

But council members said the emotional debate surrounding the proposal clouded the issue at hand--whether the project would be good for the city.

“I understand where you’re coming from,” Councilwoman Barbara Williamson told those in opposition. “However, this is a project where they are going to be building something that they are proud of and that people in Simi Valley can be proud of.”

While there are 10 supermarkets in Simi Valley, and two within a mile of the project, more grocery stores are needed on the north side of the freeway, council members said.

Other benefits predicted by the company include 184 full-time jobs, and an estimated $2.34 million a year that the company plans to spend on local goods and services.

And the ripple effect from the supermarket would generate another 114 jobs elsewhere in the city, company officials said.

Smith’s representatives have been battling for more than a decade to transform the company’s lot along Sycamore Drive into a successful development.

Twice before, Smith’s sought approval to change the zoning to allow for commercial development on the land that backs up to a row of houses.

Those requests were denied by the Planning Commission and the City Council.

Since its last attempt to get city approval in 1988, Smith’s has changed its project substantially, laying out a one-acre landscape buffer between the homes and the store.

It will consist of a six-foot-high fence and trees along a 35-foot-wide stretch of land on the west side of the lot.

“Some number of people in the audience here tonight want you to vote against this, but remember the 100,000 people that haven’t shown up,” said Lloyd Maitland, a consultant for Smith’s. “Make your decision based on the factual data, not just emotions.”

The new plan was approved by the local Neighborhood Council. And at a February meeting, the Planning Commission voted in favor of it despite angry protests from nearly 100 homeowners.

Smith’s officials hope to open the market early next year.