CHANGE OF SCENERY—An illustration depicts the 43-home development proposed for the corner of Royal Avenue and Corto Street. After receiving the approval of the planning commission last week, the project will go before the City Council on Sept. 20. Courtesy Community Dynamics A dusty, rodent-filled lot could be the site of Simi Valley’s next housing development if the City Council okays a developer’s request to build 43 homes at the corner of Royal Avenue and Corto Street.

The project has already crossed one hurdle, gaining the approval of the planning commission last week in a 4-1 vote. The proposal was largely met with praise from neighbors and commissioners, who said it would be an asset to the community.

“I think that empty lot is an eyesore and it’s really sad to see it lingering there, accumulating debris,” Briar Hill Circle resident Tamara Plotkin said at the meeting. “I think it would be really good to develop this area.”

Gary Duncan, who’s lived on nearby Dorham Court for 40 years, agreed, saying the lawns and landscaping “will do nothing but improve Royal.”

But Commissioner Michael McGuigan, who cast the dissenting vote, said he has concerns over the project’s compact design.

“The lower density to the higher density—I can’t support that. You only have those two streets behind you that are comparable,” he said.

The proposed project is different from most other single-family projects in Simi because its tight arrangement of homes gives it more of a multi-family feel.

The developer, Santa Monicabased homebuilder Community Dynamics, wants to build 43 twostory, Spanish Mission-style homes on a 5.03-acre lot and needs a specific plan amendment and a zone change to do so.

The site is currently zoned residential low density because it had been located in a flood hazard area. But since the land was removed from the flood zone, the developer is requesting a designation of medium residential, which would increase the permitted number of units from 10 to 26, and asking for a density bonus that would allow for a total of 43 homes.

To earn the bonus, Community Dynamics is providing five affordable homes for low-income buyers.

Jerry Auerbach, who lives near the site and travels Corto Street daily, said he looks forward to such a “unique” development.

“There’s a feeling of community, of safety, the way that the walkways are set up, the way that the paseo kind of goes around,” he said. “It kind of gives you that warm feeling that the community is going to be spending time together, the kids are going to be out there playing together.”

Real estate broker Eric Bordo, who lives nearby, agreed.

“I look at the community as a completion of the whole neighborhood,” Bordo said, adding that the development will increase property values and bring money into the city during a time when few developers are building.

But McGuigan wasn’t convinced, saying he also doesn’t approve of the developer’s request for a permit to build shorter driveways and uncovered parking in the rear of the residence.

“The driveways being reduced from 20 (feet) to 18, we did that before in this town and it was a problem, cars were hanging over.”

Undeterred, Commissioner Jim Dantona said it was the right location for such a project. He said the city needs more entry-level housing for younger families, a balance between high-end developments and apartments.

“Places like this, you want to build something that’s more multifamily oriented. What we’re getting here is that good hybrid, where it’s got that single-family feel to it but we’re getting a higher density,” Dantona said.

He added that the density isn’t that much higher than the surrounding streets and that the extra units are a “great trade-off” for the affordable housing.

Commissioner Tim Shannon agreed, applauding the developer for its “incredible use of space.”

The three- and four-bedroom homes would range from 1,200 to 1,500 square feet and sit on lots ranging from 4,000 to 8,300 square feet. All would have attached twocar garages. However, 32 of the homes have a two-car driveway while the other 11 have a one-car driveway. Since street parking isn’t allowed, the developer would provide 33 guest parking spaces.

Commissioner Mary Bibb said she wasn’t sure where everyone would park if a homeowner had a party, but after hearing all the positive comments from residents, she said, “I’m not going to argue with the neighbors.”