As gratifying as it can be to watch a neighborhood band together to oppose city hall and win, excuse us if we temper our celebration for the residents of Kadota-Fig. We won’t be having any of that champagne the mayor mentioned.

The fact is that once all that community spirit has dissipated, Simi Valley is still left with an inescapable reality, one many residents seem unwilling to accept: It needs to find room to build more housing.

While we all love our space, Simi is not immune to the miracle of birth. Not only does the state mandate that city planners create affordable places for our children to live, but it’s the right thing to do. Don’t they deserve to be able to own a home like their parents and grandparents before them?

One of the most important elements of updating the General Plan—the document that controls all future growth in the city of Simi Valley—is the Preferred Land Use Plan, because it is the city’s opportunity to get more out of its existing zones.

This is critical because (a) the city has very little undeveloped land remaining and (b) we need it.

Face it, folks, one trip through town will reveal several prime examples of underperforming blocks. And while we agree that Kadota-Fig doesn’t fit into this category, several of the proposed areas set for rezoning do.

So while we’re happy for those residents who can keep their large lots and their horses, goats and chickens for another 25 years, the City Council won’t be able to skirt this matter forever.

The council, the planning commission and those citizens who serve on the General Plan update committee are going to have to make some tough decisions, decisions that might get them yelled at, put down or rallied against. But for the good of the future residents of our wonderful community, they’re going to have to make them regardless of the protests.

Already Leeds Street and Kadota-Fig residents have fought their way off the list of targeted areas in the General Plan update.

We’re left to wonder, if two neighborhoods can oppose rezoning and win, can’t they all? Where, then, will the city be left to put more housing? There’s always the hillside.