Traffic the biggest challenge for Simi Valley

Ask a resident about his biggest Simi Valley concern and the answer is probably traffic. It’s undoubtedly the same response that you’d get in almost every Southern California community.

Increased traffic is a byproduct of new development.

Like any vibrant American city, Simi Valley has experienced a healthy amount of growth, both commercial and residential. Critics already think there’s been too much and their voices will only grow louder.

Some of the old-timers and the entire NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) crowd accuse the city of being too sympathetic to developers.

Keep in mind, however, that the typical NIMBYist is a hypocrite who opposes virtually every new project. Now that he’s here, he wants to padlock the gate. It’s a "now that I’m here we don’t need anyone else" mentality.

But you don’t have to be a tree hugger to want stricter controls on new projects. Voters in Ventura County have tried to control development through SOAR (Save Open space and Agricultural Resources). It passed and was popular with both Republicans and Democrats.

Most residents want to keep the wide open spaces. They don’t want Simi Valley to become another San Fernando Valley.

Traffic will remain the biggest challenge for Simi Valley, and the challenge will be even greater as new homes, shopping centers and office buildings go up.

The city must aggressively address the problem now and mitigate traffic at every opportunity. The major streets in Simi Valley are already overburdened during rush hour and at peak hours for weekend shoppers.

Simi Valley is a great place to live, work and raise a family. But traffic is getting worse.

We need answers and we need them now.