Old Doctors Hospital could be transformed into townhomes
By Michelle Knight

It's home versus office once again. Either housing or offices will probably replace the old Doctors Hospital, and the city council must choose which would fill Simi Valley's biggest void.

"It does pose a dilemma, because we need both," Mayor Paul Miller said. "We have to have both."

The council agreed last week that the 5.01-acre site at Erringer Road and Heywood Street would better serve the community if housing were built. Owned by Simi Valley Hospital, the building is being used as office space by hospital personnel.

Brian Gabler, the city's economic development director, told the council the city has less than 2 percent available office space.

The council's favorable decision on housing does not approve or reject the Olson Co.'s proposal for 79 townhomes on the site. The hearing was a prescreening, a means for the Seal Beach-based Olson to assess the council's thinking before taking action to change the land use designation from commercial office to highdensity residential.

Council members said they want to balance the community's needs for office space and housing. City Manager Mike Sedell said it's likely that one will take precedence over the other.

"It ultimately becomes which (need) is more desperate," he said.

The council asked the city staff to report back on the overall number of commercial and residential projects being planned or developed. No deadline was set for a response.

"We need a grasp of this so we can adequately plan for the future, so we're not just flying by the seat of our pants," Councilmember Steve Sojka said.

The Olson Co.'s preliminary plans for the site call for 79 twoand three-story townhomes, a community pool and a children's play area.

The council asked that architectural plans incorporate a way for residents to enjoy the Arroyo Simi. The council also requested that some units be offered as affordable housing and that a recip

rocal parking arrangement be maintained with the owner of a neighboring building.

The Arroyo Simi lies immediately south of the hospital property.