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Developer to apply to build 43 homes
Proposal for Royal Avenue project would include affordable housing
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More from County NewsA developer was given the green light to apply to build a 43-unit housing development in Simi Valley that would include homes for first-time home buyers and low-income families.
The Simi Valley City Council reviewed the initial proposal in Monday night's council meeting. The development would sit on 5 acres at Royal Avenue and Corto Street and includes plans for 12 affordable homes.
The applicant, Community Dynamics, gave a short demonstration Monday before the council.
"There is a scarcity of vacant land on the valley floor," said Steven Roberts, a representative with the developer. "This is an opportunity to provide new needed housing without infringing on the hillside areas."
It is an infill property surrounded by similar single-family homes to the south, west and north. The proposal includes a general plan amendment from medium-density residential to moderate-density. The developer has one year to submit the application.
The plan includes two- and three-bedroom, two-story homes with Spanish-revival architecture. It would fill a need in the community for entry-level homeowners for the city's workforce, including teachers, firefighters and nurses, Roberts said.
Councilman Steve Sojka said it was a good use for the site.
"It's compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods," he said.
Most of the council liked the initial plans but wanted to see more design details. Some were concerned about privacy and side-yard setbacks, because houses would be built on the lot line. The developer estimated 8.5 homes would fit on each acre.
Councilwoman Barbra Williamson said the development looked like "a maze."
"To me, it looks like you're trying to get as much bang for your buck on that piece of property," Williamson said. "And that's not what this is about. This is about good planning and good housing."
Councilman Glen Becerra said he has a concern about the designation of property lines.
"When an upscale community tries to say that it's upscale and it says it has zero lot lines, I have a real concern about that," Becerra said. "I'm open to seeing more detailed design about the zero lot lines."
Plans include a buffer to the other neighborhoods, with meandering sidewalks and landscaping and common areas that would be maintained by the homeowners association.
The site is part of the 47-acre Royal Corto Specific Plan Area. According to city land use rules, the property can have a maximum of 195 units. The surrounding neighborhoods make up 175 homes. To accommodate the 43-home project, the standards need to be amended.
Last year, 10 acres within the plan area, adjacent to Royal Avenue, were removed from the flood plain by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That made way for additional land to build on, the staff report said.
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Posted by CloudyDaze on April 9, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Zero lot line properties can be troublesome. I know-I used to own one. Lack of privacy and your neighbor's courtesy are real issues. The "meandering sidewalks and landscaping", sometimes known as "linear parks", are often what developers use as required park land that cities require in their development plans. These linear parks maximize the space available for buildable lots.
Posted by karen.sheets on April 9, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MORE BUILDING? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. SIMI IS OVERCROWDED. WHAT DON'T YOU GET?
Posted by keepin_it_real on April 9, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so sick of hearing about homes and apartments for low income families. I can't afford to buy a home or rent one of these wonderful brand new apartment homes i.e. Riverpark, where they are about to build prox. 140 brand new apartments for extremely low income families.
Where does that leave the rest of us? This doesn't refer to everyone deserving of this,but I say it again, why do we have to help ANYONE BUY A HOME. What about the people who won't or don't get off their butts and work. All these people get to live in better homes than I do? or even buy their own homes.
Something needs to be done about this.
I know this seems harsh and I am not an any way refering to people who are deserving. We all know there are people who are cheating the system and this needs to stop!!!!
Posted by spokenit on April 9, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"there is scarcity of vacant land on the valley floor" LEAVE IT THAT WAY! No more building homes/ low income or not. People are loosing their homes/ there are New homes left empty,, but hey I know let build some more. Theres a piece of property with a bush on it! ITs time US the people stand up and make a really big noise. There is a handful of them versa a VALLEY of us.
Posted by vae4usc on April 9, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have an idea! Since the housing market is horrible. Since property value is going down. Since its getting harder to get loans.
LET'S BUILD MORE HOUSES!!!
This idea is as stupid as trying to sell sand at the beach.
Posted by RC on April 9, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
keepin_it_real...I have an idea quit your job and then you can get the low housing!
Posted by mattdorros on April 9, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Zero lot lines are miserable. There are "Upscale" projects that really look like encampments or urban renewal sites from Detroit. They serve a purpose - they are good starter homes - but beyond that - they are really just ghettos with glitter.
Posted by my2cents4u on April 9, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You all make very good points about housing expansion. I have a question - have any of you ever attended a city council meeting or a neighborhood council meeting? This is where you can voice your concerns to our city leaders before any project gets too far into the process and it is too late. Our city planners and council members are very interested in the public opinion, but you must express it in the proper venue to have it be considered. All of the meetings are listed on the city website. Sure, it will take time out of your schedule, but give it a try! (And no, I am not a member of any planning commission or public office and I am not an employee of the developer.)
Posted by UncleRico on April 10, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What keepin_it_real said. Why do we have to help anyone buy a home? So the first things lets do is eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and the deduction for points and fees on a purchase transaction, two tax benefits (read subsidies) that apartment dwellers and non-home owners don't get.
Posted by karen.sheets on April 11, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MORE LIKE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY.
Posted by tsetsaf on April 11, 2008 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chill out folks; The developer will be unable to obtain financing for the project and then if they do they will need to self finance buyers to fill the space.
This is better than the blight the city approved off Kuehner.
my2cents4u... People showed up in droves to vote against the development off Kuehner and guess what the city did? They approved it anyways. I have attended the city council meetings and can attest that these council members have already made up their minds before the meeting takes place.
Posted by goaliegirl69 on April 22, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tsetsaf, what "blight" off of Kuehner are you referring to?
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