Tensions high despite revision in Knolls plan
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Although a revised plan for the Knolls housing development is in the works, tensions remain high between residents of the Santa Susana Knolls, the project’s developer and Ventura County Supervisor Judy Mikels.

At issue is a long-standing dispute over how to develop 23 acres on Katherine Road, the primary access road into the hillside community of about 300 homes. The developer originally wanted to build up to 250 apartments on the parcel a couple of years ago, but then submitted a scaled-down proposal to the county last fall, calling for 150 manufactured homes. That plan is being downsized yet again.

“We now expect that number to go down,” said Gary Gorian, president of Thousand Oaks-based Colton Lee Communities. “The number one concern of our firm is safety, and the supervisor’s office has made it very clear that safety is an issue for her as well.”

The unincorporated Santa Susana Knolls is located at the southeastern reach of Simi Valley.

Knoll residents say they object to any proposal that’s too large and may pose a safety issue for the fireprone area. They point to the Topanga fire in October, which prompted an evacuation.

“We’re not NIMBYs (Not In My Backyard),” said Sandy Capaldi, president of the Santa Susana Knolls. “People have the right to develop their land, but we have a right to a safe community.”

Mikels stepped in to negotiate between the disputing parties with plans for all three to meet in January. Subsequently, residents became upset with Mikels when she spoke to a newspaper after the meeting and broke the media gag order she had requested and the residents had agreed to just a few months earlier.

Residents refused to give a comment to the reporter.

“(The gag agreement) made sense and we agreed to it. But she immediately broke it, and we just felt that was unfair,” said association Vice President Marie Mason. “… She implied in the article that things went well … Things didn’t go well because we didn’t talk about anything.”

Mikels said she didn’t violate the agreement because someone outside of her office leaked word about the meeting to the newspaper and when asked for a comment, she would not disclose details but only gave her impression.

“I don’t have the luxury of not commenting to the press,” Mikels said.

Regarding the safety aspect of the project, she said discussion on that topic must wait until Colton Lee submits the latest revision.

“The fire department can’t comment on anything until they actually have a plan to comment on,” Mikels said.

Colton Lee is requesting a zoning change to “existing community,” which would allow for more homes. Current zoning allows only for 56.

A follow-up meeting has not been scheduled.