Casden pledges 67 affordable units in proposed development
By Robin Nasby Special to the Acorn

Representatives from Casden Properties LCC, a Beverly Hillsbased developer, met with the city's affordablehousing subcommittee on June 11 to discuss plans for its proposed 266-unit residential community at the southeast corner of Los Angeles Avenue and Madera Road.

The project at the western gateway to the city, the representatives said, would include 67 units of affordable housing and thereby fulfill a request the committee had previously made that 25 percent of the development be designated affordable.

After seeing Casden's plans, council member and affordable housing subcommittee member Steve Sojka said the proposed units stand in welcome contrast to traditional ideas of mid- to low-income housing.

"You're not going to be able to tell the difference between the regular units and the affordableliving ones. That's the beauty of it," Sojka said.

Al Boughey, director of environmental services, noted that the proposed community could become Simi Valley's first "urban village." The development will include townhomes, twostory single-family homes, flats and "pedestal" buildings.

The pedestal structure, in which parking is located beneath each building, would make the development the first of its kind in Simi Valley, according to Rob Bruce, environmental services head of housing and special projects. Although the community will be different from the traditional residential complexes in the city, Bruce said he saw the proposal as a positive addition.

Casden representatives are making arrangements with public works to settle issues regarding storm drainage and ground water as well as other matters.

"We hope for our application to be deemed 'complete' within the next few weeks," said Darren Embry of Casden. The developers plan to go before the City Council this fall, according to Embry.