3 Housing Projects Advance, 1 Derailed

Concerned residents have helped derail plans for a 180-unit senior housing complex next to Corriganville Park, while Selleck Properties has received approval to proceed with two housing projects near City Hall despite neighbors’ objections.

Each year the Simi Valley City Council reviews preliminary development proposals and decides whether the developer should file an application with the city, senior planner Sam Freed said.

Hundreds of residents packed City Council chambers Monday to discuss one or more of the projects--an unusually high turnout by the public, Assistant City Manager Laura Magelnicki said.

The senior complex was proposed for a site on Smith Road that abuts railroad tracks, a furniture factory and is adjacent to several very low-density and equestrian neighborhoods. Although it welcomes more housing for the city’s aging population, the council said the site is not appropriate.

“I think it’s the right idea, but the wrong place,” Councilman Glen Becerra said. The developer is free to file an application, but does so “at his own risk,” city officials said.

Developer Mike Sanders said he is committed to finding a way to build senior housing on the land and will meet with neighbors to seek ways to address their concerns.

The first Selleck proposal called for up to 135 multifamily units on nine acres on Sycamore Drive between Alamo Street and California 118 instead of a previously approved senior housing complex on the site. Neighbors expressed concerns over increased noise and traffic in the area, which is now mostly single-family homes.

The second project, which would be built directly across from City Hall on Alamo Street and Tapo Canyon Road, calls for about 400 apartments, condominiums and townhomes as well as up to 233,000 square feet of commercial space. Generating increased traffic on Alamo Street was the biggest concern from neighbors, who also worried about the prospect of tall buildings, Freed said.

Council members Monday also gave their blessing to a 38-unit senior housing project on five acres along Tierra Rejada Road.

Each developer has up to one year to submit a development application and plan, Freed said.