Planning commission should rethink its priorities

It's too bad that the planning commission and code enforcement in Simi Valley don't have more important issues to address than dwarf pet goats ("Planning commission tells woman her three pet goats must go," Jan. 19).

I couldn't believe that such a trivial issue could come before the planning commission when the problems on our block, one short block from city hall, are ignored.

If Mike Fagan thinks three small goats are a problem, I will be happy to trade our problems for his.

Our block of single-family homes (built in the early '60s) was never the Beverly Hills of Simi Valley, but 20 years ago it was decent and even improving for a while. However, I predict in five years the property values will plummet more than they have and crime statistics will go up.

Here's what we have: At least five houses across the street have become rentals in the last few years.

I have nothing against renters; we were renters at one time. However, jamming 10 to 12 people into a three-bedroom, singlefamily home, and possibly some into the backyard shed, is not only unconscionable, it's a blight on the neighborhood.

These 10 to 12 people also have eight to 10 cars, and parking on our street- which was never good due to multiple trucks and cars per household- is now impossible.

Cars from this house come and go at all hours of the day and night, sometimes blaring loud music.

One Saturday morning, music from a parked truck in the driveway of this house was so excruciatingly loud for more than two hours that it was like being in the middle of a Rolling Stones concert.

Quite often, we are confronted with the sight of bare-chested men exhibiting their large bellies in the front window of their house.

A single-family home, whether a rental or not, is meant for a single family, not 10 to 12 unrelated adults. Why is there no law or code to address this issue?

I guess it is easier for the planning commission and code enforcement to go after dwarf goats. It's also easier for code enforcement to police the trimming of bushes than to address serious issues like people possibly living in sheds, or too many cars on the street, or too many people crowded into one house.

It's the same old story with government: Ignore the serious issues and use smokescreens, like small goats, to divert attention from the important issues.

Simi Valley is soon going to start going the way of the San Fernando Valley in terms of crowding and crime if these issues are not addressed.

Mike Fagan should consider himself blessed that he only has to deal with three small goats. Margie Roblin Simi Valley