Planning commission gives thumbs up to 16-townhome project
Public hearing before the City Council to be held Dec. 10
By Carissa Marsh Special to the Acorn

The Simi Valley Planning Commission voted Nov. 7 to recommend the City Council approve a proposal to build 16 townhouses on the southwest corner of Los Angeles Avenue and Stow Street.

The development requires a zoning change and a general plan amendment to alter the land-use designation from commercial office to residential high-density.

Despite some concerns, the commission was impressed with the architecture and aesthetics of the design.

"I agree with my fellow commissioners, this is a very nice design on the whole," Timothy Shannon said at the meeting.

Under the proposal, the 1.35acre lot, which has been vacant since 1991, will be subdivided into 16 condominium lots. As recommended by the city's affordable housing subcommittee, the developer has designated three of the 16 units as affordable for moderateincome households.

The development would consist of four buildings, each containing four townhouse units. The units would range in size from 1,606 to 1,630 square feet, but they would feature essentially the same threebedroom floor plan with an attached two-car garage.

Project developer Mehdi Humkar is working with Haaland Group, a civil engineering and architectural firm in Thousand Oaks. At the Nov. 7 meeting Dave Brooks, Haaland Group spokesperson, called the development "an overall plus for the neighborhood."

The commissioners agreed that it would be good to see the lot developed. "It will be nice to clean up that corner," commissioner Jim Dantona said during the hearing. "It will benefit the community to have it. I don't think commercial office made sense here anyway."

The vacant piece of land is suited for residential development, Dantona said, because it is located next to other multifamily residential areas and there are no commercial zones adjacent to the project site.

Still, commissioners expressed concern about the design of the sides of the buildings, especially those facing Los Angeles Avenue. The developer has provided popouts, stone elements, and decorative window and wall trims in an attempt to meet the city's residential design guidelines.

A significant amount of landscaping, including trees planted every 20 feet, has also been planned to camouflage any plain walls. Most of the commissioners agreed the landscaping will soften any lack of articulation.The buildings are positioned along the streets to hide parking lots and trash enclosures and none of the garage doors face Los Angeles Avenue or Stow Street.

The proposed development will go before the City Council for a public hearing on Nov. 10.