Table H4-18: Housing Age by Income Level
Built 2000
or later
Built 1980-
1999
Built 1960-
1979
Built 1940-
1959
Built 1939
or earlier Total HHs
0-50% HAMFI 13.2% 29.0% 51.2% 5.3% 1.3% 7,770
51-80% HAMFI 11.0% 30.2% 52.8% 4.7% 1.2% 5,840
81-120% HAMFI 9.5% 33.3% 50.9% 5.7% 0.6% 8,675
>120% HAMFI 15.3% 37.2% 44.2% 2.9% 0.4% 19,745
Total 11,040 28,510 40,415 3,490 595 84,050
NOTE: HAMFI = HUD Area Median Family Income
SOURCE: HUD CHAS Data (2013-2017 ACS), August 2020.
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Figure H4-28: Median Year Built - Housing Units
SOURCE: 2015-2019 ACS (5-Year Estimates).
DISPLACEMENT RISK
HCD defines sensitive communities as “communities [that] currently have populations vulnerable to displacement in the event of increased development or drastic shifts in housing cost.” The following characteristics define a vulnerable community:
■ The share of very low income residents is above 20%; and ■ The tract meets two of the following criteria:
> Share of renters is above 40%,
> Share of people of color is above 50%,
> Share of very low-income households (50% AMI or below) that are severely rent burdened households is above the county median,
> They or areas in close proximity have been experiencing displacement pressures (percent change in rent above County median for rent increases), or
> Difference between tract median rent and median rent for surrounding tracts above median for all tracts in county (rent gap).
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HCD has identified three vulnerable communities in Simi Valley (Figure H4-29). These communities are also areas with higher concentrations of racial/ethnic minorities (Figure H4-3), disabled persons (Figure H4-4), families with children (Figure H4-6) and female-headed households (Figure H4-7), and LMI households(Figure H4-10).
Figure H4-29: Urban Displacement
SOURCE: HCD AFFH Data Viewer, Urban Displacement Project, 2021.
SUMMARY OF FAIR HOUSING ISSUES
As described in this fair housing assessment, issues related to segregation, racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty, access to opportunities, and disproportionate housing needs may impede fair housing in Simi Valley. A summary of the fair housing issues in the City is shown below in Table H4-19. 315
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Table H4-19: Summary of Fair Housing Issues
Fair Housing Issue Summary
Fair Housing Enforcement and
Outreach
• 31% of discrimination complaints filed in Ventura County between 2017 and 2019 occurred in Simi Valley.
• Three fair housing testing sites in Simi Valley found evidence of racial discrimination.
Integration and Segregation
Race and Ethnicity • Areas with racial/ethnic minority populations over 50 percent are generally dispersed throughout the City with a small concentration in the central western section of the City.
• Racial/ethnic dissimilarity indices have increased since 1990, indicating that segregation in the City has worsened.
Disability • Census tracts with a higher percentage of persons with disabilities are generally distributed evenly throughout the City; tracts closer to the City borders had lower populations of persons with disabilities.
Familial Status • Census tracts with higher ratios of families with children tended to be located in the center of the City.
• Census tracts with more female-headed households with children were located in the central and south western sections of the City.
Income • 32.4 percent of Simi Valley households are considered lower income (earning 80 percent or less than the area median income).
• Simi Valley had a lower percentage of lower income households and a higher median household income compared to Ventura County.
• LMI areas are scattered throughout the center of the City; there were no LMI areas in the outskirt areas.
Racially and Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty
Racially/Ethnically Concentrated
Areas of Poverty • There are 4 R/ECAPs in Ventura County, none of which are located in Simi Valley.
Racially/Ethnically Concentrated
Areas of Affluence
• Areas with higher White populations generally correlated with areas with the highest median income; Census tracts with lower White populations and lower median incomes were generally concentrated in the center of the City. • Census tracts with the highest White populations were located in the northern and southern sections of the City.
• Census tracts with the highest median incomes were located in the eastern sections of the City.
Access to Opportunity • Most of the Census tracts in the City were designated as high or moderate resource areas.
• Two Census tracts were designated as low resource areas; neither correlated with areas with high racial/ethnic minority populations, high populations of persons with disabilities, high populations of families with children or female-headed households, or LMI areas.
• Hispanic residents were most likely to be impacted by poverty, have low labor market participation rates, and have the least access to higher quality school systems. • Asian and Pacific Islander communities were most likely to be exposed to reduced environmental quality.
Education • White residents were most likely to live near higher quality school systems. • Areas in the northwestern section of the City had the lowest school proficiency indices; these areas were also designated as low resource and had racial/ethnic minority populations over 50%.
Employment • Areas in the south central section of the City had the lowest job proximity indices; the eastern end of the City had the lowest labor market participation. • Neither of the areas identified were areas of high racial/ethnic minority populations or LMI areas.
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Table H4-19: Summary of Fair Housing Issues
Fair Housing Issue Summary
Transportation • Generally, residents were equally likely to use public transportation and have similar transportation costs regardless of geographic location indicating that public transportation is roughly spread out throughout the City and is accessible to all residents.
Environmental Health • Environmental health indices were comparable Citywide. • The western side of the City had slightly lower environmental health indices but the area does not correlate with racial/ethnic populations, disabled populations, LMI areas, or household type.
Disproportionate Housing Needs
Cost Burden • 40% of households had a housing problem, including 37.5% with a cost burden. • Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Other races had the highest percentage of households with housing problems.
• Census tracts with the highest populations of households with cost burden also had block groups with high racial/ethnic minority concentrations and LMI areas.
Overcrowding • 3.1% of Simi Valley households were overcrowded, including 0.8% extremely overcrowded.
• Overcrowding did not disproportionately affect lower income households; overcrowding was most common amongst households earning 81-100% of the area
median income and households earning 51-80% of the area median income.
Substandard Housing • Households lacking complete plumbing facilities in Simi Valley was comparable to the County average; there were fewer households lacking complete kitchen facilities in Simi Valley (0.5%) compared to the County (1%)
• All households, regardless of income category, were generally equally likely to live in aging housing that may need rehabilitation; households earning over 120% of the median income were significantly less likely to live in aging housing.
Displacement Risk • There are three vulnerable communities with a higher risk of displacement in the City; these communities have higher concentrations of racial/ethnic minorities and LMI households.
Identification and Prioritization of Contributing Factors The following are contributing factors that affect fair housing choice in Simi Valley.
INSUFFICIENT AND INACCESSIBLE OUTREACH AND ENFORCEMENT The City contracts with HRC to provide fair housing services to Simi Valley residents. In 2018, 10 fair housing tests were conducted in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks by HRC. Three t esting sites in Simi Valley found evidence of discrimination, where White testers received preferential treatment over Black or African American testers.
Contributing Factors
■ Lack of accessible fair housing information and variety of inputs media ■ Lack of marketing fair housing events such as fair housing conf erences, resource fairs, and community meetings
■ Insufficient fair housing enforcement and testing
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CONCENTRATION OF SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS
T h e r e a r e c o n c e n t r a t i o n s o f s p e c i a l n e e d s g r o u p s i n c l u d i n g r a c ial/ethnic minorities, children in female-headed households, and LMI households in the northern sections of the City. These areas also have a higher concentration of overpaying renters.
Contributing Factors
■ Lack of private investment
■ Location and type of affordable housing
■ Lack of sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, or other infrastructure
SUBSTANDARD HOUSING CONDITIONS
Over 50% of households in Simi Valley were built prior to 1980 and are aged 30 or older. Approximately 0.4% of Simi Valley households lack complete plumbing facilities and 0.5% lack complete kitchen facilities.
Contributing Factors
■ Age of housing stock
■ Cost of repairs or rehabilitation
DISPLACEMENT RISK OF LOW INCOME RESIDENTS DUE TO
ECONOMIC PRESSURE
There are three areas in Simi Valley that are considered vulnerable communities at risk of displacement. These areas also have a higher concentration of LMI households and overpaying renters. Sensitive communities at risk of displacement are in block groups in the central eastern and western areas of the City.
Contributing Factors
■ Unaffordable rents
■ Concentration of poverty in some tracts
■ Availability of affordable housing
Priorities, Goals, and Actions
Table H4-20: Priorities, Goals, and Actions
Fair Housing
Issue Contributing Factors Action
Enforcement and
Outreach
• Insufficient and inaccessible outreach
and enforcement
- Lack of accessible fair housing
information and variety of inputs
media
- Lack of marketing fair housing
events such as fair housing
conferences, resource meetings,
and community meetings
• Continue the contracting with HRC to provide fair housing services to Simi Valley residents.
•
Continue offering to host fair housing workshops in Simi Valley annually, including the landlord-
tenant workshop and the homebuyer’s
education workshop hosted by HRC.
• Increase outreach related to fair housing education and workshop, specifically the .block group on the western side of the City where many sites used to meet the City’s RHNA are located and in low resource tracts on the western end of the City.
• Offer fair housing outreach and education in Spanish and English. 318
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Table H4-20: Priorities, Goals, and Actions
Fair Housing
Issue Contributing Factors Action
New Housing
Choices in Areas
of High
Opportunity
Place-Based
Strategies to
Encourage
Community
Revitalization
•
Concentration of special needs groups
- Lack of private investment
- Location and type of affordable
housing
- Lack of sidewalks, pedestrian
crossings, and other infrastructure
• Commit to one public improvement project annually.
• Implement the minor streets rehabilitation project which consists primarily of asphalt resurfacing or slurry sealing of the full width of various residential streets throughout the City based on pavement conditions and ranking identified on the City’s street paving priority list within the City’s LMI areas
• Substandard Housing Conditions
- Age of housing stock
- Cost of repairs and rehabilitation
• Support nonprofits in pursuing funding for acquisition/rehabilitation of housing through the City’s HOME program.
• Continue the City’s rehabilitation program and target home rehabilitation in tracts with a higher concentration of aging housing units, generally located in the center of the City
Protect Existing
Residents from
Displacement
• Displacement risk of low income
residents due to economic pressures
- Unaffordable rents
- Concentration of poverty in some
tracts
- Availability of affordable housing
• Through SB 2 and LEAP grants already acquired by Simi Valley, develop the following Specific Plans for high impact development areas to ensure continuity, economic vibrancy, and increase housing diversity.
It will designate and rezone under-utilized opportunity areas for additional housing capacity or preparing specific plans or form based codes that include zoning and development standards and plan-level environmental analysis that can be used to streamline future housing projects and facilitate affordability
- Tapo Street Corridor: Between Hwy 118 and Los Angeles Avenue with mixed-use and housing opportunities, and extending eastward toward Stearns Street to include the Metrolink Station (TOD/HQTA)
- Los Angeles Avenue Corridor: Between Sinaloa Road and Erringer Road, to identify opportunities along the commercial retail corridor and the Mountain Gate shopping center with mixed-use opportunities
•
Continue providing the following assistance to small businesses that may be displaced due to the rezoning proposed by this Housing Element:
- Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 (CDBG-CV)
Small Business Grant Program for FY2020-21: Provide financial assis
tance, through CDBG grants, to small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. Applicants eligible to receive up to $5,000 in the form of a grant that will not require repayment. - Business Location Assistance: The City’s Economic Development Office provides several resources to assist business owners in finding an appropriate location for their business. The City is a subscriber to proprietary software, which gives staff the ability to provide custom reports of available properties and vacant spaces.
These services include lists of building and tenant spaces available for lease or for sale; asking rents and sales prices; comparable data for lease rates; demographic data; analytical property data; property ownership information; ideas and introductions to brokers and property managers.
- Agency Partners: The City of Simi Valley has also established partnerships with the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County (EDC-VC) and Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) to promote job growth, maintain economic vitality, and provide management assistance to small business owners.
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
2020 W. El Camino Avenue, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
August 13, 2021
Stratis Perros, Dir
ector
Department of Environmental Services
City of Simi Valley
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Dear Stratis Perros:
RE: Review of S
imi Valley’s 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Draft Housing Element Thank you for submitti
ng the City of Simi Valley’s (City) draft housing element received for review on June 16, 2021. Pursuant to Government Code section 65585, subdivision (b), the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is reporting the results of its review. Our review was facilitated by conversations with you, Associate Planner Eric Chen, City Planner Sean Gibson, and consultants Veronica Tam of Veronica Tam & Associates and Lilly Rudolph and Steve Conner of Rincon Consultants.
The draft element address
es many statutory requirements; however, revisions will be necessary to comply with State Housing Element Law (Article 10.6 of the Gov. Code).
The enclosed Appendix describes the revisions needed to comply with State Housing Element Law.
For your information,
some general plan element updates are triggered by housing element adoption. For information, please see the Technical Advisories issued by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research at:
http://opr.ca.gov/docs/OPR_Appendix_C_final.pdf
and
http://opr.ca.gov/docs/Final_6.26.15.pdf.
Several federal,
state, and regional funding programs consider housing element compliance as an eligibility or ranking criteria. For example, the CalTrans Senate Bill (SB) 1 Sustainable Communities grant; the Strategic Growth Council and HCD’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities programs; and HCD’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation consider housing element compliance and/or annual reporting requirements pursuant to Government Code section 65400. With a compliant housing element, the City will meet housing element requirements for these and other funding sources.
EXHIBIT 2
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Stratis Perros, Deputy Environmental Services Director
For your information, pursuant to Government Code section 65583.3, subdivision (b), the City must utilize standards, forms, and definitions adopted by HCD when preparing the sites inventory. Please see HCD’s housing element webpage at https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/housing-element/index.shtml#element for a copy of the form and instructions. The City can reach out to HCD at [email protected] for technical assistance. Please note, upon adoption of the housing element, the City must submit an electronic version of the sites inventory with its adopted housing element to [email protected].
HCD appreciates the cooperation and diligent efforts the housing element update team provided during the review. We are committed to assisting the City in addressing all statutory requirements of State Housing Element Law. If you have any questions or need additional technical assistance, please contact Shawn Danino, of our staff, at [email protected]
.
Sincerely,
Shannan West
Land Use & Planning Unit Chief
Enclosure
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APPENDIX
CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
The following changes are necessary to bring the City’s housing element into compliance with Article 10.6 of the Government Code. Accompanying each recommended change, we cite the supporting section of the Government Code.
Housing element technical assistance information is available on HCD’s website at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/housing-element/housing-element- memos.shtml. Among other resources, the housing element section contains HCD’s latest technical assistance tool, Building Blocks for Effective Housing Elements (Building Blocks), available at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/building- blocks/index.shtml and includes the Government Code addressing State Housing Element Law and other resources.
A. Housing Needs, Resources, and Constraints
1. Affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) in accordance with Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8899.50) of Division 1 of Title 2…shall include an assessment of fair housing in the jurisdiction. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(10)(A).)
While the assessment of fair housing in the City meets many of the statutory requirements, it must include additional analysis, as follows:
Disproportionate Housing Needs: The element provides data and analysis regarding the patterns and trends of households experiencing overpayment but must also address overcrowding. Additionally, the element must incorporate analysis regarding displacement risk.
Local Data and Knowledge and Other Relevant Factors: The element should incorporate local data and knowledge of the jurisdiction into the AFFH section. To assist in meeting this requirement, the element should provide local data not captured in regional, state, or federal data analysis. Also, the element must include other relevant factors that contribute to fair housing issues in the jurisdiction. For instance, the element can analyze historical land use and investment practices or other information and demographic trends.
Sites Discussion: The element did not address this requirement. The element must identify sites throughout the City consistent with AFFH. Sites must be identified and evaluated relative to the full scope of the assessment of fair housing (e.g., segregation and integration, racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty and affluence, access to opportunity, etc.).
Contributing Factors: The element notes this section will be refined in future versions. For your information, the element must list and prioritize contributing factors to fair housing issues. Contributing factors create, contribute to, perpetuate, or increase the severity of fair housing issues and are fundamental to 323
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adequate goals and actions. Examples include community opposition to affordable housing, housing discrimination, land use and zoning laws, lack of regional cooperation, location and type or lack of affordable housing and lack of public or private investment in areas of opportunity or affordable housing choices.
Contributing factors should be unique to the unincorporated areas of the City based on a complete analysis.
Goals, Priorities, Metrics, and Milestones: The element states this section will be included in later versions. For your information, the element must be revised to add or modify goals and actions based on the outcomes of analysis described above. Goals and actions must specifically respond to the analysis and identified and prioritized contributing factors to fair housing issues and must be significant and meaningful enough to overcome identified patterns and trends. Actions must have metrics and milestones as appropriate and must address housing mobility enhancement, new housing choices and affordability in high opportunity areas, place-based strategies for community preservation and revitalization and displacement protection.
For further guidance, please visit HCD’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing in California webpage at https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/affh/index.shtml .
2. Include An analysis of population and employment trends and documentation of projections and a quantification of the locality’s existing and projected housing needs for all income levels, including extremely low-income households. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (a)(1).)
Extremely Low-Income Households (ELI): While the element quantifies existing and projected ELI households, it must also analyze their housing needs. The analysis of ELI housing needs could consider tenure and rates of overcrowding and overpayment. To assist the analysis, see the enclosed data and sample analysis at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/building-blocks/housing- needs/extremely-low-income-housing-needs.shtml.
3. An inventory of land suitable and available for residential development, including vacant sites and sites having realistic and demonstrated potential for redevelopment during the planning period to meet the locality’s housing need for a designated income level, and an analysis of the relationship of zoning and public facilities and services to these sites. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (a)(3).)
To demonstrate the adequacy of sites and strategies to accommodate the City’s regional housing need allocation (RHNA), the element must address:
Parcel Listing: The element must identify the anticipated affordability level of the units for each site identified in the sites inventory (Gov. Code, § 65583.2, subd. (c).).
Realistic Capacity: The element (page 4-84) mentions an assumption of 70 percent of maximum allowable densities to calculate residential capacity on 324
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identified sites and includes a few examples of recent developments. However, the element should include additional and clear supporting information on typical densities of existing or approved residential developments at a similar affordability level. For example, the element could clearly list other recent projects, the zone, acreage, built density, allowable density, level of affordability and presence of exceptions such as a density bonus.
In addition, the element appears to assume residential development on sites with zoning that allows 100 percent nonresidential uses, but to support this assumption, the element must analyze the likelihood of residential development in zoning where 100 percent nonresidential uses are allowed. The analysis should be based on factors such as development trends including nonresidential, performance standards requiring residential uses or other relevant factors such as enhanced policies and programs.
Suitability of Nonvacant Sites: The element describes nonvacant sites were identified based on improvement-to-land value ratios and building structures that are older than 30 years. However, the element should include additional factors such as existing versus allowable floor area ratio. In addition, to demonstrate the potential for additional development on these sites, the element should expand the discussion of trends to support these assumptions and list the actual values of these factors for identified sites.
In addition, if the housing element relies upon nonvacant sites to accommodate more than 50 percent of the RHNA for lower-income households, the housing element must demonstrate that the existing use is not an impediment to additional residential development in the planning period (Gov. Code, § 65583.2, subd. (g)(2).). This can be demonstrated by providing substantial evidence that the existing use is likely to be discontinued during the planning period (Gov.
Code, § 65583.2, subd. (g)(2).).
Small and Large Sites: Sites larger than ten acres in size or smaller than a half- acre in size are deemed inadequate to accommodate housing for lower-income households unless it is demonstrated, with sufficient evidence, that sites are suitable to accommodate housing for lower-income households. The element should provide specific examples with the densities, affordability and, if applicable, circumstances leading to consolidation. The element should relate these examples to the sites identified to accommodate the RHNA for lower- income households to demonstrate that these sites can adequately accommodate the City’s lower-income housing need. Based on a complete analysis, the City should consider adding or revising programs to include incentives for facilitating development on small sites.
Suitability and Availability of Infrastructure: The element describes infrastructure limitations (Page 4-83) in the City; however, it must also demonstrate sufficient total water and sewer capacity (existing and planned) to accommodate the regional housing need by community plan area.
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For your information, water and sewer service providers must establish specific procedures to grant priority water and sewer service to developments with units affordable to lower-income households. (Gov. Code, § 65589.7.) Local governments are required to immediately deliver the housing element to water and sewer service providers. The element should clarify consistency with these requirements and include programs as appropriate. For additional information and sample cover memo, see the Building Blocks at
http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/building-blocks/other- requirements/priority-for-water-sewer.shtml.
Environmental Constraints: While the element generally describes a few environmental conditions within the City (Table H3-1), it must describe how these conditions relate to identified sites including any known environmental constraints within the City that could impact housing development in the planning period. (Gov. Code, § 65583.2, subd. (b).) For additional information and sample analysis, see the Building Blocks at
http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-
development/building-blocks/site-inventory-analysis/analysis-of-sites-and- zoning.shtml#environmental.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): ADUs may be counted toward the RHNA based on past permitted units and other factors. In the element, the City projects 400 ADUs to be constructed over the planning period, averaging 50 units per year. This projection was based on figures provided based on past ADU annual permit figures of 48, 48, and 45 for 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. However, Annual Progress Reports (APRs) submitted by the City showed building permit figures of 27, 0, and 53 for 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. The element should reconcile these figures and adjust assumptions as appropriate.
Emergency Shelters: The element must demonstrate the CO, CC, CPD, BP, LI and GI zones have sufficient capacity to accommodate the identified housing need for emergency shelters. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (a)(4).) For example, identifying the number of parcels, typical parcels sizes, whether the sites are nonvacant, and the potential capacity for adaptive reuse. For additional information and a sample analysis, see the Building Blocks at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/housing-element/housing- element-memos/docs/sb2_memo050708.pdf.
Housing for Agricultural Employees: The element must demonstrate zoning is consistent with the Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code, § 17000 et seq.), specifically, sections 17021.5 and 17021.6. Section 17021.5 requires employee housing for six or fewer employees to be treated as a single-family structure and permitted in the same manner as other dwellings of the same type in the same zone. Section 17021.6 requires employee housing consisting of no more than 12 units or 36 beds to be permitted in the same manner as other agricultural uses in the same zone. For additional information and sample 326
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analysis, see the Building Blocks at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community- development/building-blocks/housing-needs/farmworkers.shtml.
Manufactured Housing: The element must clarify how manufactured housing on permanent foundations are allowed and ensure consistency with Government Code section 65852.3.
4. An analysis of any special housing needs, such as those of the elderly; persons with disabilities, including a developmental disability, as defined in Section 4512 of the Welfare and Institutions Code; large families; farmworkers; families with female heads of households; and families and persons in need of emergency shelter. (Gov.
Code, § 65583, subd. (a)(7).)
The element includes data and analysis for persons with special needs. However, to better formulate policies and programs, it should also identity and analyze elderly households by tenure (renters and owners) and permanent and seasonal farmworkers at a county level. HCD will send data under separate cover.
5. An analysis of potential and actual governmental constraints upon the maintenance, improvement, or development of housing for all income levels, including the types of housing identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), and for persons with disabilities as identified in the analysis pursuant to paragraph (7), including land use controls, building codes and their enforcement, site improvements, fees and other exactions required of developers, and local processing and permit procedures… (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (a)(5).)
Land Use Controls: The element must identify and analyze all relevant land use controls impacts as potential constraints on a variety of housing types (e.g., multifamily rental housing, mobilehomes, transitional housing). While the element does provide some information on residential development standards, such as guest parking requirements (Page 4-43), it does not provide analysis on these factors as a possible constraint. The analysis must also evaluate the cumulative impacts of land use controls on the cost and supply of housing, including the ability to achieve maximum densities.
In addition, the element should clarify whether the City has an ordinance in compliance with density bonus law pursuant to Government Code section 65915 and include programs as appropriate.
Growth Control: The element notes the City’s adoption of a “Managed Growth Plan to ensure that the rate of residential development is metered in an effort to control the rate of ozone generated within the City” (Page 4-57). The Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB 330, 2019) was signed by Governor Newsom on October 9, 2019, and became effective on January 1, 2020. The Housing Crisis Act (Gov. Code, § 66300) generally prohibits a locality from enacting a development policy, standard or condition that reduces intensity, imposes moratoriums, enforces subjective design standards, or implements any provision that limits approvals or caps population. These provisions 327
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remain in effect until January 1, 2025. Specifically, Government Code section 66300, subdivision (b)(1)(D), with limited exception not applicable here, does not allow affected jurisdictions to adopt new or enforce existing limits on the number of land- use approvals or permits. The City should evaluate consistency with these requirements and if necessary, immediately void or suspend the annual growth cap.
Building Codes and Enforcement: The housing element must describe and analyze which building code (e.g., 2019) is enforced, any local amendments to the building code, and their enforcement for impacts on housing supply and affordability. For additional information and a sample analysis, see the Building Blocks at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/building-blocks/constraints/codes- and-enforcement-on-offsite-improvement-standards.shtml.
On/Off Site Improvements: The element must identify subdivision level improvement requirements, such as minimum street widths (e.g., 40-foot minimum street width), and analyze their impact as potential constraints on housing supply and affordability.
For additional information and a sample analysis, see the Building Blocks at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/building-blocks/constraints/codes- and-enforcement-on-offsite-improvement-standards.shtml.
Persons with Disabilities: The element briefly describes its reasonable accommodation procedures including that a reasonable accommodation must be in full compliance with the City’s development and municipal codes; however, the purpose of the reasonable accommodation is to provide exception to zoning and land use. As a result, the element must include a program to address this constraint. In addition, group homes for seven or more persons appears to be excluded from several zones allowing residential uses and subject to a conditional use permit. The element should evaluate these requirements as constraints and include programs as appropriate.
Streamlining Provisions: The element should clarify whether the City has procedures consistent with streamlining requirements pursuant to Government Code section 65913.4 and include programs as appropriate.
Zoning and Fees Transparency: The element mentions the City’s website but should clarify its compliance with new transparency requirements for posting fees and all zoning and development standards for each parcel on the jurisdiction’s website.
6. An analysis of potential and actual nongovernmental constraints upon the maintenance, improvement, or development of housing for all income levels, including the availability of financing, the price of land, the cost of construction, the requests to develop housing at densities below those anticipated in the analysis required by subdivision (c) of Government Code section 65583.2, and the length of time between receiving approval for a housing development and submittal of an application for building permits for that housing development that hinder the construction of a locality’s share of the regional housing need in accordance with Government Code section 65584.
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Developed Densities and Permit Times: The element must be revised to analyze requests to develop housing at densities below those anticipated in the sites inventory, including hinderance on the construction of the City’s share of the regional housing need.
B. Housing Programs
1. Include a program which sets forth a schedule of actions during the planning period, each with a timeline for implementation, which may recognize that certain programs are ongoing, such that there will be beneficial impacts of the programs within the planning period, that the local government is undertaking or intends to undertake to implement the policies and achieve the goals and objectives of the housing element through the administration of land use and development controls, the provision of regulatory concessions and incentives, and the utilization of appropriate federal and state financing and subsidy programs when available. The program shall include an identification of the agencies and officials responsible for the implementation of the various actions. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c).)
To address the program requirements of Government Code section 65583, subdivision (c)(1-6), and to facilitate implementation, programs should include: (1) a description of the City’s specific role in implementation; (2) definitive implementation timelines; (3) objectives, quantified where appropriate; and (4) identification of responsible agencies and officials. Programs to be revised include:
Program 10: Program 10 describes the City’s intent to expand ADU permits by increasing “outreach and technical assistance to interested homeowners.” However, the program must go beyond exploring and must outline specific actions for which the City is committing to take and provide a schedule for these actions. In addition, the program should commit to more frequent monitoring, including affordability and when additional actions will be established if ADUs are not permitted consistent with assumptions.
Program 11: Program 11 describes the City’s intent to “focus on higher density developments and mixed-use projects.” However, the program must go beyond revisiting its standards and must outline specific actions for which the City is committing to take and provide discrete timing for when actions will be completed.
Program 12: Program 12 describes the City’s intent to “monitor its development standards and development review / approval process.” However, the program must go beyond monitoring and recommending and must outline specific actions for which the City is committing to take and provide discrete timing for when actions will be completed.
Program 16: Program 16 commits the City to additional rezoning “to foster additional residential growth.” However, the program must provide discrete timing.
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2. Identify actions that will be taken to make sites available during the planning period with appropriate zoning and development standards and with services and facilities to accommodate that portion of the City’s share of the regional housing need for each income level that could not be accommodated on sites identified in the inventory completed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) without rezoning, and to comply with the requirements of Government Code section 65584.09. Sites shall be identified as needed to facilitate and encourage the development of a variety of types of housing for all income levels, including multifamily rental housing, factory-built housing, mobilehomes, housing for agricultural employees, supportive housing, single-room occupancy units, emergency shelters, and transitional housing. (Gov.
Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(1).)
As noted in
Finding A3, the element does not include a complete site analysis; therefore, the adequacy of sites and zoning were not established. Based on the results of a complete sites inventory and analysis, the City may need to add or revise programs to address a shortfall of sites or zoning available to encourage a variety of housing types. In addition:
Program 7: Program 7 commits the City to rezoning to accommodate the regional housing need, including for lower-income households. However, the program must provide discrete timing for completing rezoning, generally within 3 years of the beginning of the planning period.
City-Owned Sites: The element should include specific commitment to encourage development on City-owned sites. Actions include additional incentives, schedule for development, significant outreach with developers of affordability housing, reducing fees and seeking financing or supporting applications for funding.
Missing Middle: The element notes upzoning to accommodate the housing needs of the missing middle. Given public comments noted in the element, the element could include additional actions to encourage housing to accommodate this housing need such as expanding permitted uses in some zones, establishing incentives or other efforts.
3. Assist in the development of adequate housing to meet the needs of extremely low, very low, low-, and moderate-income households. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(2).) While the el
ement includes programs to assist in the development of very low-, low-, and moderate-income households, it must also include a program(s) to assist in the development of housing for all special needs households (e.g., elderly, homeless, farmworkers, persons with disabilities, female-headed households). Program actions could include proactive outreach and assistance to non-profit service providers and developers, prioritizing some funding for housing developments affordable to special needs households and offering financial incentives or regulatory concessions to encourage a variety of housing types.
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4. Address and, where appropriate and legally possible, remove governmental and nongovernmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing, including housing for all income levels and housing for persons with disabilities. The program shall remove constraints to, and provide reasonable accommodations for housing designed for, intended for occupancy by, or with supportive services for, persons with disabilities. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(3).)
As noted in Findings A4 and A5, the element requires a complete analysis of potential governmental and nongovernmental constraints. Depending upon the results of that analysis, the City may need to revise or add programs and address and remove or mitigate any identified constraints.
5. Promote AFFH opportunities and promote housing throughout the community or communities for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability, and other characteristics protected by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Part 2.8 (commencing with Section 12900) of Division 3 of Title 2), Section 65008, and any other state and federal fair housing and planning law. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(5).)
As noted in Finding A1, the element must include a complete analysis of AFFH.
Based on the outcomes of that analysis, the element must add or modify programs as appropriate.
C. Public Participation
Local governments shall make a diligent effort to achieve public participation of all economic segments of the community in the development of the housing element, and the element shall describe this effort. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(8).)
While the element includes a summary of the public participation process and includes a list of community meetings conducted (Pages H2-1 to H2-2), the City should consider additional methods of public outreach to make a diligent effort to achieve public participation. For example, efforts could be made to expand language access and interview stakeholders and service providers. Please note, the City must proactively make future revisions available to the public, including any commenters, prior to submitting any revisions to HCD and diligently consider and address comments, including making revisions to the document where appropriate.
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CHAPTER 3 Community Development
EXHIBIT 3
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y3-2
INTRODUCTION
The Community Development chapter consists of three four sections: Land Use and Community Design, Economic Development, Social and Environmental Justice, and Historic and Cultural Resources . Goals and policies are presented in this chapter designed to dire ct the physical development and economic growth anticipated to occur in the CitySimi Valley, as well asand to preserve and protect its historic and cultural legacy, are presented in this chapter. Each section is followed by an implementation program that includes the actions, strategies, and processes that the City will undertake to implement the General Plan in the review of new development proposals and the performance of day-to-day City operations.
The Land Use section provides a framework to accommodate future development in an efficient and sustainable manner that is compatible with the established character of the community and the protectionto protect of its surrounding natural environment. Though the City is anticipated to experience continued population growth, the supply of land available for development has been substantially exhausted with limited undeveloped land remaining outside of the hill sides surrounding Simi Valley. In accommodating this growth the Land Use Plan encourages substantial infill development within the existing footprint of the community’s built environment, and limited new development in the hillsides and canyons surrounding the City. This growth strategy allows the City to provide diverse housing choices while protecting the established character of existing neighborhoods, maximizing existing
infrastructure, providing efficient service delivery,
and strengthening existing districts in the community
while preserving the natural landscape that helps
define Simi Valley.
The land use goals and policies direct the ultimate
pattern of development in Simi Valley at build out and
apply to the incorporated areas of Simi Valley and its
Sphere of Influence (SOI) as depicted with a yellow
dotted line in Figure LU-1 (Planning Area). The Planning Area comprises all properties located within in the existing SOI for Simi Valley, including all properties within the current cCity limits. Though the lands within in the Area of Interest surrounding the City Simi Valley (indicated with a green dashed line around the city boundary in Figure LU-1) are not subject to this General Plan, it is the City’s desire to preserve the scenic natural landscape around the cCity as reflected in the community’s vision.
The Land Use Plan is based on and reflects the Vision and Guiding Principles presented in the Introduction to this General Plan, and correlates the goals and policies from each of the topical chapters into a coherent set of development policies, which serve as a central organizing element for the General Plan as a whole. As the Land Use Plan serves as the final arbiter on how Simi Valley will evolve over the next 20 years, its policies are connected to and supported by those in all other General Plan sections. Policies for the conservation of natural resources and protection of residents from the risks of hazards are reflected in the distribution and densities of uses. The quantity and location of land uses are linked to the City’s objectives for economic development, jobs generation, and fiscal balance, as well as its intentions for community design. Land use capacities are, in Simi Valley's scenic natural landscape
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I N T R O D U C T I O N
G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y
C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y
3-3
turn, correlated with the provision of adequate housing and services to meet the needs of residents, and transportation, parking, and infrastructure to support residents, employees, and visitors. 334
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SIMI VALLEY 2030
General Plan Update
CITY of SIMI VALLEY
General Plan Update
Planning
Area
Legend
CJ City Boundary
C..J City Urban Restriction
Boundary
·.:·.] sphere of Influence
C". 'J Area of Interest
Source: Ventura County, 2003
Date Revised: July 12, 2021
02131 O_Simi_ Valley_ GP\Planning-Areas.mxd
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Figure LU-1
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U )
G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y
3-5
LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DESIGN (LU)
The land use and community design policies that follow are expressed in two forms: (a) a map that depicts the geographic distribution of land uses in the City, and (b) text defining the set of action-oriented strategies that carry out and support these uses consistent with Simi Valley’s intentions for the form and character of the community and development. The policies are organized in the following sections: (a) Growth and Change, (b) Citywide Land Use and Urban D esign, (c) Citywide Land Use Neighborhoods and Districts, and (d) Community Subareas and Districts.
Policies in the first two sections apply globally throughout the Ccity, regardless of location or specific land use category. The Citywide Land Use Neighborhoods and Districts section defines policies specifically related to each category of permitted land use, as designated on the land use map. The Community Sub -Areas and Districts section defines policies relate d to the unique issues or planning objectives for specific geographic areas of the City, which supplement and build upon the general policies presented in the preceding sections.
Following the Community Development policies are the descriptions of the Land Use Designations, including definitions, standards, and guidelines for each land use designation shown on the Land Use Map.
As Simi Valley is almost fully built out, the land use policies focus on how population and employment growth can be managed to pre serve the qualities that distinguish the City’s Simi Valley’s diverse neighborhoods, business districts, and open spaces. The policies recognize that most of the CitySimi Valley will be conserved for its existing type and den sities of land use , and provide direction for their long -term maintenance. At the same time, the policies also recognize that change will occur in specifically targeted locations that (a) have been previously planned to accept growth, (b) enable existing commercial centers and business d istricts to sustain or enhance their economic vitality and evolve in response to a changing market, and (c) meet legislative mandates as well as an expressed community desire for more sustainable forms of development that reduce reliance on the automobile, consume less energy and water, and produce less pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In these locations, policies provide for contextual infill that builds upon existing development and is sensitive to its environmental setting.
Growth and Change
Commercial Residential Mixed Use Open Space
Policies in this section provide for strategic growth and change that preserve existing neighborhoods and target new development to infill areas that are vacant or underutilized, and are scaled to complement adjoining uses.
Changes focus on enhancing the quality of life with a reduced need for automobile trips, increased walkability, 338
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-6 improved connectivity among neighborhoods and districts, and the completion of cohesive and well -defined districts.
GOAL LU-1
Growth and Change. Sustainable growth and change , achieved through orderly and well -planned development, meet the needs of existing and future residents and businesses, ensure the effective and equitable provision of public services, and efficiently use land and infrastructure.
P o l i c i e s
LU-1.1 Building Intensity and Population Density.1 Accommodate the densities and intensities of land use development in accordance with the designations and standards of the Simi Valley Municipal Code.
Development threshold at buidoutbuildout is estimiatedestimated at shall not exceed 58,438 housing units, 8,764,000 square feet of retail, 7,642,000 square feet of office uses, 5,743,000 square feet of business park uses, and 12, 134,000 square feet of industrial uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2 LU-3, LU-5, LU-10, LU-18)
LU-1.2 Development Location. Limit development to lands within the Simi Valley City Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB), as shown in Figure LU-1, thereby protecting existing agriculture, open space, viewsheds, wildlife, and watersheds surrounding the City city from development impacts and limiting urban sprawl. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-6, LU-10, LU-18)
Existing development within the CURB Existing open space LU-1.3 Development Priorities. Prioritize future growth as infill and redevelopment of existing developed areas re -using and, where appropriate , intensifying development of vacant and underutilized properties within the CURB. Allow for growth on the immediate periphery of existing development in limited designated areas, where this is guided by standards to assure seamless integration and connectivity with adjoining areas and open spaces and in a way that minimizes encroachment on the open space areas or places ne w residential development at increased risk for wildfire . The Growth Diagram below illustrates the typical locations in which new development will be permitted. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-6, LU-10, LU-18)
LU-1.4 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). Encourage the construction addition of ADUs on appropriate residential sites that would increase rental housing options (Imp. LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-10, LU-12, LU- 20)
LU-1.5 Mixed Residential Neighborhoods . Encourage the creation of mixed residential neighborhoods through new and innovative housing types that meet the changing needs of Simi Valley households
1 These limits represent the maximum development capacity analyzed in the General Plan Environmental Impact Report. Any development that exceeds these limits may be subject to additional environmental analysis. 339
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-7 and expand housing choices in all neighborhoods. These types include but are not limited to, single dwelling units, multi-family dwelling units, accessory dwelling units, small and micro dwelling units, and clustered housing/cottage housing . (Imp A-1, A -2, A -3, LU-1, LU -2, LU -3, LU -10, LU -12LU-6, LU-10, LU-18)
LU-1.6 Missing Middle Housing. Support housing types and designs that increase density while remaining consistent with the building scale and character in existing neighborhoods, including for multi-family units or clustered residential buildings that provide relatively smaller, less expensive units in existing neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-10LU-6, LU-10, LU-18) LU-1.47 Growth Management. Manage growth to assure Assure that it does not exceed the limits of Simi Valley’s Measure NC Managed-Growth Management Plan, adopted in 201204, aligns with current State regulation , through the by the annual allocation of residential building permits and the current RHNA requirements, with priorities for the development of affordable housing. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-5, LU-18)
LU-1.8.5 Development and Services Concurrency . Work with applicable public entities and providers to assure that adequate public facilities are available at the time of occupancy. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-2, LU-13, LU-18, ED-6, ED-8, M-1, NR-2)
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Growth Diagram. This diagram identifies the relative amount of change that is anticipated to occur in the CitySimi Valley, through buildout of the General Plan:
Open Space. These areas are expected to remain in open space use as natural undeveloped hillside s, canyons, or waterways, preserved by either public ownership (Arroyo Simi), the terms of an adopted Specific Plan (e.g., Lost Canyons, Runkle Canyon, Wood Ranch), or as privately-owned land held by preservation groups (Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Ventura County Greenbelt).
Preserve and Enhance. These areas are expected to retain their current form and character , but will experience some minor infill and reuse consistent with their current form and character. These areas include most existing residential areas of the City.
Infill. These areas are expected to improve and evolve through infill, reuse, and redevelo pment including the addition of new land uses (e.g., Los Angeles Avenue Area, Tapo Street Corridor, West End Specific Plan Area). Transformation—New Growth. These existing vacant areas are expected to experience change as new development occurs over time (e.g., Ronald Reagan Presidential Library-Visitor Serving Area, Covington Avenue/Rudolph Drive Area).
LU-1.69 Fair Share Costs of Development. Require new development to contribute its share of the cost of providing necessary public services and facilities through equitable fees and exactions. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-14, LU-18, ED-5, ED-7, M-1, M-6)
LU-1.107 Annexation Coordination. Coordinate with the County of Ventura, landowners, and pertinent service agencies to assure that development within the SOI complements and does not adversely compete with existing land uses in the City of Simi Valley. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-13, LU-18) LU-1.118 Consistency of Annexations with General Plan. Ensure that annexations to the City are consistent with the overall goals and policies of the General Plan and do not adversely affect the City’s fiscal 341
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-9 viability, environmental resources, infrastructure, services, or quality of life. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-2, LU-13, LU-17, LU-18, ED-6, NR-2)
LU-1.912 Complementary Land Uses. Require that existing and future land uses in proposed annexation areas complement adjoining City uses and character. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-17, LU-18) Citywide Land Use and Urban Design
Policies in this section articulate a vision for a sustainable city of livable residential neighborhoods and distinctive and economically successful centers and corridors that incorporate more compact development, energy- and resource -efficient buildings, and attractive pedestrian -friendly streets, while maintaining the hillsides and open spaces that frame the City’s development envelope.
GOAL LU-2
Land Use Diversity and Choices for Residents. A mix of land uses is provided that meetsto meet the diverse needs of Simi Valley’s residents, offers a variety of employment opportunities, and allows for the capture of regional population and employment growth.
P o l i c i e s
LU-2.1 Housing. Provide opportunities for a full range of housing types, locations, and densities to address the community's fair share of regional housing needs and to provide market support to economically sustain commercial land uses in Simi Valley. The mix, density, size, and location of housing shall be determined based on the projected needs specified in the Housing Element, as amended periodically. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-5, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18) LU-2.2 Shift in Housing Types. Encourage development of Missing Middle, in the form of higher density housing types in addition to new single-family development. Missing Middle Housing types provide diverse housing options, such as duplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts, and multiplexes. These house- scale buildings fit seamlessly into existing residential neighborhoods and support walkability, locally- serving retail, and public transportation options. They provide solu tions along a spectrum of affordability to address the mismatch between the available U.S. housing stock and shifting demographics combined with the growing demand for walkability . (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-5, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18)
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-10 LU-2.23 Retail Services . Provide for, and encourage, the development of a broad range of uses in Simi Valley’s commercial centers and corridors that reduce the need to travel to adjoining communities, and which subsequently
capture a greater share of local
spending. (Imp A-1, A -2, A -3,
LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-16, LU-18,
ED-8)
LU-2.43 Employment Opportunities.
Provide for a broad spectrum
of land uses that offer job
opportunities for Simi Valley’s
residents, including
commercial, office, industrial,
and business parks. (Imp A-1,
A-2, A-3, LU -1, LU -3, LU -4,
LU-15, LU-18, ED-8)
LU-2.54 Visitor-Serving Uses. Provide for visitor-serving commercial uses that respect and benefit from the presence of Simi Valley’s natural setting and cultural resources, including the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Strathearn Historical Park. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-18, ED-8) LU-2.65 Community Services. Provide a diversity of diverse uses and services supporting to support Simi Valley’s residents, such as facilities for civic governance and administration, public safety (police), seniors and youth, community gatherings, and comparable activities. Work with external agencies to encourage the provision of services and facilities not under the City’s jurisdiction, such as public schools, parks and recreation, fire protection, and quasi -public infrastructure. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-4, LU-13, LU-18)
GOAL LU-3
City Structure and Form. Land uses are located, designed, and scaled to respect Simi Valley’s natural setting; maintain distinct and interconnected places for residents to live, shop, work, and play; and reduce automobile dependence.
P o l i c i e s
LU-3.1 Primary Contributor to Urban Form. Locate and design development to respect Simi Valley’s environmental setting, concentrating development on the valley floor and configuring development to respect hillside slopes, topographic contours, and drainage corridors, when located in hillside areas. Figure LU-2 (Environmental Setting) depicts the key environ mental elements features that shape the cCity. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-5, LU-7, LU-8, LU-11, LU-17, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3)
LU-3.2 Citywide Development Pattern. Provide for an overall pattern of land uses that promotes efficient development; minimizes the impact of traffic congestion; reduces transportation distances, energy consumption, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions; ensures compatibility between us es; protects the natural hillsides, major watercourses, and trees; enhances community livability and public health; and sustains economic vitality. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-5, LU-6, LU-7, LU-8, LU-9, LU-10, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3)
Simi Valley Library
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-11 LU-3.3 Connected Open Space Network. Maintain and, where incomplete, develop a Citywide network of open spaces that is connected to and provides access for all neighborhoods and districts incorporating greenbelts, drainage corridors, parklands, bicycle and pedest rian paths, equestrian trails, and natural open spaces and coordinate with other agencies, such as Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-4, LU-8, LU-10, LU-13, LU-18, M-13, NR-1)
LU-3.4 Organization of Places. Maintain a development pattern of distinct residential neighborhoods oriented around parks, schools, and community meeting facilities that are connected with neighborhood-serving businesses and mixed commercial/residential development along transportation corridors that promotes livability, enjoyment , and safety for all residents , and provides access to multiple modes of transportation, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities and public transit. Provide mixed business park/employment/residential uses in centers and along the freeway corridor to minimize traffic congestion. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-15, LU-18) LU-3.5 Development Scale. Encourage development on the valley floor to retain its low suburban profile.
Limit structures taller than two stories to major commercial or industrial areas, mixed -use developments, or very high -density residential uses so as not to adversely impact the primary or daily activities of nearby residents. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18) LU-3.6 Building Scale and Design. Encourage the development of buildings whose scale and ground floor elevations and exterior spaces are designed to relate to and encourage pedestrian activity. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-9, LU-11, LU-16, LU-18)
LU-3.7 Building Relationship to Public Places. Require buildings in principal commercial and mixed -use districts to be oriented toward the public realm through such features as location, incorporation of windows, avoidance of blank walls, articulation of building elevations fronting sidewalks and public spaces, appealing gathering places, and location of parking to the rear, side, or underground, as appropriate while minimizing parking in front of buildings. Priority shall be placed on locating parking underground or in structures. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-16, LU-18) LU-3.8 Plans for Cohesive Development. Encourage the use of specific plans for residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use developments to provide for the cohesive and integrated development of large areas, complex or multi -parcel sites, areas with multiple property owners, and/or areas of particular importance to the community. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-4, LU-18)
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-14 GOAL LU-4
Development Shaped by Environmental Setting. Development is located to respect, work with, and complement the natural features of the land.
P o l i c i e s
LU-4.1 Preservation of Natural Features. Maintain significant natural landmarks, such as prominent ridgelines visible from the valley floor, and other natural scenic features in their natural state, to the extent feasible. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-8, LU-11, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3)
LU-4.2 Incorporation of Natural Features. Integrate natural scenic features, such as mature trees, rock outcroppings, watercourses, and views into project design, except where infeasible for public safety. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-8, LU-11, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3) LU-4.3 Open Space Character. Locate and design structures and open space areas to assure that open space qualities of a development are generally apparent from adjoining areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-8, LU-11, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3) LU-4.4 Hillside Development. Locate and
design development to maintain the
existing visual character of the hillsides
as a natural backdrop. (Imp A-1, A -2,
LU-1, LU -2, LU -3, LU -4, LU -7, LU -8,
LU-11, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3)
LU-4.5 Hillside Grading. Minimize terrain
disruption and design grading using
generally accepted principles of civil
engineering with the objective to blend
the project into the natural topography.
(Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-18, NR-2, NR-3) LU-4.6 Hillside Development Density. Maintain land outside the valley floor having a slope of over 20 percent as permanent open space. Commercial and industrial development shall be limited to slopes of 10 percent or less, unless otherwise allowed under the Hillside Performance Standards of the Simi Valley Municipal Code, or approved by a specific plan that justifies and provides appropriate design measures for the development of these areas, in which case development shall be limited to slopes of 20 percent or less. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-7, LU-8, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3) LU-4.7 Development Compatibility with Hillside Character. Ensure the compatibility of proposed structures with the surrounding terrain in hillside areas by using varying setbacks, building heights, building forms, and other applicable features. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-11, LU-18, NR-2, NR-3)
LU-4.8 Architecture and Building Design. Design buildings to be architecturally integrated into the terrain and blend with the natural environment. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-11, LU-18, NR-2, NR-3)
Hillside development
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-15 LU-4.9 Building Colors in Hillsides. Use earth tones or subdued colors for development in hillside areas with brighter hues used only as accents so they will to complement the natural setting. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-7, LU-11, LU-18, NR-3)
LU-4.10 Specific Plan Approval. Require the approval of a specific plan for commercial a nd industrial development in hillside areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-18, NR-3) GOAL LU-5
Land Use Compatibility. New development is located and designed to assure a compatible relationship with adjoining uses.
P o l i c i e s
LU-5.1 Development Compatibility. Locate and design development to assure compatibility among land uses, addressing such elements as building orientation and setbacks, buffering, visibility and privacy, automobile and truck access, pedestrian, and bicycle circulation safety, impacts of noise and lighting, landscape quality, and aesthetics. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18, NR-2) LU-5.2 Development Transitions. Incorporate transitions of development mass and building heights where districts with differing permitted densities and intensities are located adjacent to one another. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-5.3 Residential Neighborhood Character. Respect the scale and character of the land uses and architecture within the neighborhoods when considering new development and renovation of buildings in existing neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18) LU-5.4 Integration of Nonresidentia l Uses in Neighborhoods. Buffer different land uses within a neighborhood from one another by walls, fences, trees, and landscaped greenbelts. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-5.5 Mixed-Use Neighborhoods. Buffer different land uses within a neighborhood from one another by walls, fences, trees, and landscaped greenbelts. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-13, LU-18) LU-5.65 Development Adjacent to Single -Story Buildings. Locate single -story structures or extensive setbacks on the periphery of new development that is adjacent to existing single -story residential structures. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-5.76 Residential Privacy. Respect the privacy of existing residents in the design of new development that abuts existing residential neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-18) LU-5.87 Minimization of Noise Impacts. Protect noise-sensitive uses from the impacts of noise -generating sources by setbacks, buil ding orientation, insulation, or other suitable techniques that maintain interior noise levels specified by the Safety and Noise Element. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -1, LU -2, LU -3, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-5.98 Lighting Impacts. Design, locate, and direct lighting and signs so that they do not result in excessive spillover, illumination, and glare for adjacent uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-18, NR-2) LU-5.109 Freeway and Arterial Roadway Compatibility. Minimize the impacts of the noise, air pollution, and other noxious elements from the freeway and arterial roadways, and enhance the appearance of the freeway corridor through landscape, building design, and other elements for development 348
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-16 located within the freeway and arterial roadway corridors. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-11, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-5.1011 Roof Equipment. Screen all roof equipment from view from adjacent parcels and rights -of-way, especially the freeway and elevated overpasses, by means that are architecturally integrated into the structure, where practical. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-11, LU-18) LU-5.1112 Signage. Regulate signs to balance business interests and aesthetic concerns. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-5.1213 Mineral Extraction/Landfill Activities. Continue to monitor mineral extraction activities and sanitary landfill activities within the City’s Area of Interest to ensure that such uses are compatible with and minimize impacts on adjoining uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-17, LU-18) GOAL LU-6
Open Spaces. Open space lands are preserved to maintain the visual quality of the City, provide recreational opportunities, protect the public from safety hazards, and conserve natural resources and wildlife.
LU-6.1 Scenic and Natural Areas. Provide for the preservati on of significant scenic areas and corridors, plant and animal habitat, riparian areas, and significant geologic features within the cCity. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-8, LU-13, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3) LU-6.2 Mature Trees. Continue to sustain mature trees, which are an integral part of the Ccity’s character. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-18, NR-2) LU-6.3 Creeks and Natural Drainages. Maintain and improve the form and health of resources and habitat in the Ccity’s natural drainages. Explore restoration of those that have been degraded or channelized, such as the Arroyo Simi, as
feasible, while continuing to maintain
stormwater conveyanc e and property
protection requirements. (Imp A-1, A -2,
A-3, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-6.4 Night Sky. Reduce the impacts of ambient
outdoor lighting on the darkness of the
night sky. (Imp A-1, A -2, A -3, LU -2, LU -3,
LU-18, NR-2)
LU-6.5 Orientation towards Arroyo Simi. Orient
new development located along the Arroyo
Simi to take advantage of it as an asset a nd
integral part of the project design. (Imp A-1,
A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-18)
Arroyo Simi from Frontier Park
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-17 GOAL LU-7
Viewsheds. Vistas of the hillsides, valley floor, Citycity entrance areas, recreation areas, major open space areas, and viewsheds from the hills are maintained for the general public.
P o l i c i e s
LU-7.1 City Entries. Protect open vistas at freeway entrances to the community and along Madera Road and Tierra Rejada Road, by such means as enriched parkways, open space, height limits , and view corridor preservation. The appearanc e of development along these throughways should be attractive, complement the vista, and not compete for attention. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-8, LU-11, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2)
LU-7.2 Development in View Corridors. Design structures and site improvemen ts constructed in highly visible locations to minimize their impacts on natural vistas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-11, LU-18) GOAL LU-8
City Sustained and Renewed. Land development practices that sustain natural environmental resources, the economy, and societal well -being for use by future generations, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on climate change, are maintained.
P o l i c i e s
LU-8.1 Regulating Sustainable Development. Implement the most current version of the California Green Building Standards Code with amendments and update periodically to reflect future amendments and require development projects, major renovations, and municipal structures t o be consistent with these. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-9, LU-18)
LU-8.2 Sustainable Building Practices. Promote sustainable building practices that utilize architectural design features, materials, interior fixtures and finishes, and construction techniq ues to reduce energy and water consumption, human exposure to toxic and chemical pollution, and disposal of waste materials. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-9, LU-11, LU-18) LU-8.3 Existing Structure Reuse. Encourage the retention, adaptive reuse, and renovation o f existing buildings with “green” building technologies and standards. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-9, LU-11, LU-18) LU-8.4 Sustainable Land Development Practices. Promote land development practices that reduce energy and water consumption, pollution, greenhous e gas emissions, and disposal of waste materials incorporating such techniques as:
a. Concentration of uses and design of development to promote walking and use of public transit in lieu of the automobile
b. Capture and reuse of stormwater on-site for irrigation c. Management of wastewater and use of recycled water , including encouraging the use of grey water
d. Orientation of buildings to maximize opportunities for solar energy use, daylighting, and ventilation
e. Use of landscapes that protect native soil , conserve water, provide for wildlife, reduce green waste, and reduce the risk of wildfires
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-18 f. Use of permeable paving materials or reduction of paved surfaces g. Shading of surface parking, walkways, and plazas
h. Recycling and/or salvaging for reuse of construction and demolition debris (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-8.5 Revitalization of Obsolete and Underused Properties. Encourage use of redevelopment tools such as the consolidation of small parcels, joint pu blic-private partnerships, and land clearance and resale, to facilitate revitalization of underused and obsolete commercial and industrial properties. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-10, LU-13, LU-18, ED-2)
LU-8.6 Building Rehabilitation. Encourage the rehabilitation of existing commercial facades and signage that are deteriorated or inconsistent with the intended character and quality of the Citycity. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-4, LU-11, LU-13, LU-18, ED-2)
LU-8.7 Housing Maintenance. Encourage the continued high maintenance levels of the Citycity's housing stock. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-12, LU-18)
LU-8.8 Affordable Housing. Target local funds to assist affordable housing developers in incorporating sustainable building and site design and features. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-9, LU-18) LU-8.9 Green Buildings. Require all new construction and/or retrofitting of structures to be built to an identified green building standard. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-9, LU-18) LU-8.10 Increase Urban Forestation. Encourage and promote the retention and increased planting of trees whenever practicable as part of design for new development and renovation projects and include public education to achieve tree preservation. (Imp A-1, A -2, A -3, LU -1, LU -3, LU -4, LU -5, LU -10, LU-16, LU-18)
GOAL LU-9
Fair and Equitable Access. Fair and equitable access to employment, housing, education, recreation, transportation, retail, and public services is provided for all residents.
P o l i c i e s
LU-9.1 Equitable Distribution of Uses and
Amenities. Strive to ensure that
uses and amenities that foster
livable and complete
neighborhoods such as parks and
community facilities are distributed
equitably throughout the Citycity.
(Imp A-1, A -2, A -3, LU -1, LU -2,
LU-13, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-9.2 High-Impact Uses. Avoid the
concentration of uses and facilities
required to support community
activities, such as corporate yards,
waste transfer sites, and electrical
Neighborhood park
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-19 substations, in a manner that disproportionately affects a particular nei ghborhood or district to ensure that such uses do not result in an inequitable environmental burden being placed on any location or demographic group. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-13, LU-18, NR-2) LU-9.3 Housing Type Distribution. Promote an equitable distribution of housing types for all income groups throughout the Citycity and promote mixed -income developments. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -1, LU -13, LU-18)
LU-9.4 Jobs-Housing Balance. Encourage a balance between j ob type, the workforce, and housing development to reduce the negative impacts of long commutes and provide a range of employment opportunities for all residents. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-4, LU-9, LU-18) Citywide Land Use Neighborhoods and Districts
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Policies in this section provide for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of Simi Valley’s residential neighborhoods, assuring that new development complements and reinforces their unique characteristics through sensitive infill and transitions in scale from adjacent centers and corridors.
GOAL LU-10
Livable and Quality Neighborhoods. A Citycity
composed of neighborhoods with a variety of
housing types, densities, and design, and that
provide a mix of land uses, services, and amenities
that support the needs of its residents.
P o l i c i e s
LU-10.1 Neighborhood Conservation. Maintain the
uses, densities, character, amenities, and
quality of Simi Valley’s residential
neighborhoods, recognizing their contribution to the City’s identity, economic value, and quality of life for residents. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-10, LU-11, LU-12, LU-18) LU-10.2 Housing Character and Design. Locate and design new and renovated housing within existing single- and multi-family neighborhoods to maintain their distinguishing characteristics and qualities of the neighborhoods, including prevailing lot sizes; building form, scale, massing, and relationship to street frontages; architectural design; landscape; property setbacks; an d comparable elements. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-10.3 Senior Housing. Provide senior housing that is accessible to commercial services, health and community facilities, and public transit. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-13, LU-18) LU-10.4 Complete Neighborhoods. Maintain, improve, and, where necessary, expand parklands and community facilities to serve and provide easy access from Simi Valley’s neighbor hoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-4, LU-13, LU-18)
Mixed-Use Development
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-20 LU-10.5 Walkable Neighborhoods. Maintain sidewalks, parkways, street tree canopies, and landscaping throughout the residential neighborhoods to promote walking as an enjoyable and healthy activity and alternative to automobile use. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-11, LU-18, M-13) LU-10.6 Neighborhood Connectivity. Maintain
sidewalks or other means of pedestrian and
bicycle connections to neighborhood
commercial centers, parks, schools, work
placesworkplaces, and other community
activity centers. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3,
LU-4, LU-11, LU-18, M-13)
LU-10.7 Complete Streets. Provide infrastructure
consistent with the “Complete Streets”
Program that accommodate multiple
modes of transportation including the
automobile, bicycle, pedestrian, and where appropriate, public transit. (Imp A-1, A -2, A -3, LU -1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18, M-4, M-8, M-10)
GOAL LU-11
Neighborhood Urban Form. Residential development is provided that respects Simi Valley’s natural setting and suburban density and scale, while offering opportunities for more intensive use in key activity areas that reduce automobile use and transition smoothly to existing neighborhoods , and open spaces.
P o l i c i e s
LU-11.1 Placement of Residential Structures. Encourage the siting of residential units to preserve open space and natural resources while maintaining the overall de nsity. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-4, LU-7, LU-8, LU-11, LU-18, NR-1, NR-2, NR-3)
LU-11.2 Greenbelts. Promote the use of
greenbelts around and within
residential projects or between
residential and other land uses.
(Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-18)
LU-11.3 Distribution of Density. Concentrate
residential development on the valley
floor, with overall densities
decreasing in the outlying areas, in
consideration of the following
principles:
a. Density should decrease as distance from arterials and commercial shopping increases b. Overall density and intensity of development should decrease as the slope increases c. The minimum parcel size for areas designated as Open Space or over 20 percent slope shall be 40 acres (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-7, LU-10, LU-18, NR-3)
Greenbelt through residential area
Community park
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-21 LU-11.4 Density in Outlying Areas. Require that residential development in outlying areas, which is defined as new development located on the periphery of existing developed areas, be limited to single - family, detached dwelling units with a maximum of 7 units per acre, except for the following types of projects:
a. Housing projects for senior citizens
b. Residential projects located on a parcel not visible from viewpoints from the valley floor and containing at lea st 25 percent of the units that are affordable for low -income and very low - income households that meet state housing law. In no event shall these exceptions allow development on the areas with over 20 percent slope. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-7, LU-18, NR-3) LU-11.5 Density Transfer. Direct residential development in outlying areas to less-steep slope areas through the use of density transfers to preserve areas designated as Open Space in a largely undeveloped state. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-7, LU-18, NR-3)
LU-11.6 Neighborhood Focal Points. Promote the integration of noncommercial activity centers in residential neighborhoods to provide a focal point and facilitate neighbor interaction. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-18)
GOAL LU-12
Neighborhood Identity. Residential neighborhoods are provided that are distinctly identified and differentiated from one another in consideration of geography, character, and lifestyle.
LU-12.1 Contributing Elements for Neighborhood Identity. Locate and design new development in or abutting existing residential neighborhoods to respect boundaries defined by topography, drainage, landscape, or other natural elements that delineate and contribute t o their distinct identity. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-12.2 Identity through Design. Promote the design of new development to provide a positive sense of uniqueness to aid neighborhood identity and also to be compatible with existing surrounding neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18) GOAL LU-13
Neighborhood Quality. Residential neighborhoods are provided that are desirable places to live, contribute to the quality of life, and are well maintained.
P o l i c i e s
LU-13.1 Incompatible Uses. Prohibit the development of uses that are incompatible with and physically divide neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-18) LU-13.2 Safety. Require that residential developments, including multi-family, be designed to facilitate and enhance neighborhood surveillance for safety. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-18, M-14) LU-13.3 Recreational Vehicles. Encourage adequate on-site storage areas for recreational vehicles in residential developments in relation to the need generated by each project. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-18)
LU-13.4 Oil Facilities. Prohibit the development of oil pumping, storage, and processing facilities and exclude the development of new residential uses in or near areas containing existing and permitted oil 354
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-22 pumping, storage, and processing equipment until such facilities have been relocated or discontinued. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-18)
LU-13.5 Code Enforcement. Preserve and enhance residential neighborhoods through enforcement of land use and property standards, ensuring that adjacent nonresidential uses are buffered from residences in harmonious and attractive ways. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-12, LU-18) LU-13.6 Housing Maintenanc e. Continue implementation of Enforce the Property MmMaintenance Oordinances, particularly for ain the
Citycity's aging housing stock (50-plus years
old) as a high priority . (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3,
LU-11, LU-12, LU-18)
GOAL LU-14
Single-Family Neighborhoods. The characteristics
and qualities that distinguish Simi Valley’s distinct
single-family residential neighborhoods, such as
identity, scale, and character, are maintained.
P o l i c i e s
LU-14.1 Neighborhood Identity. Maintain
distinguishing characteristics, such as
topography, parcel size, housing scale and
form, and public streetscapes that
differentiate Simi Valley’s single -family
neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -1, LU -3,
LU-4, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-14.2 Second Units. Allow second units (ADU) in
single-family residential districts as required
by state legislation. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-5,
LU-9, LU-10, LU-18)
LU-14.3 Accessory Dwelling Units. Develop public informational resources on ADU development standards, permitting processes, and other requirements that can be distributed in libraries, social media, the City’s website, and other venues to promote the addition of ADUs in single -family neighborhoods (Imp LU-1, LU-3, LU-10, LU-12, LU-13).
LU-14.34 Parks and Open Space Amenities. Ensure that existing neighborhoods contain a diverse mix of parks and open spaces that are connected by trails, pathways, and bikeways and are within easy walking distance of residents. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-10, LU-11, LU-198) GOAL LU-15
Multi-Family Neighborhoods. Multi-family residential neighborhoods that provide own ership and rental opportunities are well designed, exhibit a high quality of architecture, and incorporate amenities for their residents.
Single-family residential neighborhood
Multi-family residential
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-23 P o l i c i e s
LU-15.1 Character and Design. Locate and design new and renovated housing within existing multi -family neighborhoods to achieve a high level of architectural design quality, in consideration of the following principles:
a. Design elevations of multi -family
buildings facing public streets and
pedestrian ways to exhibit a high level
of visual interest
b. Incorporate property setbacks,
modulate building mass, and design
multi-family buildings and projects in
consideration of the development
patterns of the surrounding
neighborhood (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -1,
LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-15.2 Amenities. Encourage new multi -family
development to provide amenities for residents, such as on -site recreational facilities and community meeting spaces. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18) LU-15.3 Development Transitions. Ensure sensitive transitions in building scale between buildings in multi- family residential areas and lower -scale buildings in adjoining residential neighb orhoods and commercial districts. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18) LU-15.4 Streetscapes. Provide ample public spaces and tree -lined sidewalks or pathways furnished with appropriate pedestrian amenities that contribute to comfortable and attra ctive settings for pedestrian activity in multi -family neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -1, LU -3, LU -4, LU -11, LU -18, M-13)
GOAL LU-16
Supporting Uses in Residential Neighborhoods. Neighborhoods are provided that integrate uses supporting the needs of residents and are located and designed to be subordinate to, and compatible with, the function and quality of the living environment.
Multi-family residential
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-24 P o l i c i e s
LU-16.1 Home-based Occupations. Accommodate home -
based occupation uses in residential neighborhoods
provided that they have create no significant traffic,
parking, delivery, or other impacts associated with
the business activity on the neighborhood.
(Imp A-1, A-2, LU-2, LU-3, LU-12, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-16.2 Daycare Centers. Maintain regulations for large - family daycare facilities (as defined by the State of
California) and childcare centers to minimize
impacts on residential neighborhoods, to the extent
permitted by state law. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -2, LU -3,
LU-13, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-16.3 Religious Institutions. Regulate the location and use of religious institutions in and adjoining
residential neighborhoods to prevent significant
traffic, parking, noise, and other impacts. (Imp A-1,
A-2, LU-2, LU-3, LU-18, NR-2)
COMMERCI AL CORRIDORS AND DISTRICTS
Goals and policies of this section of the General Plan provide for the maintenance and enhancement of diverse, economically vital, and well -designed commercial districts that offer a diversity of goods and services for residents; provide quality places to walk, shop, and be entertained; and contribute revenue to support City services.
GOAL LU-17
Diverse Districts and Corridors. Vital and active commercial districts are provided that offer a diversity of goods, services, and entertainment for Simi Valley’s residents.
P o l i c i e s
LU-17.1 Diversity of Uses. Provide for, and encourage the development of, a broad range of uses in Simi Valley’s commercial centers and corridors that reduce the need to travel to adjoining communities, and capture a greater share of local spending. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-18) LU-17.2 Economic Vitality. Promote the development of commercial centers that provide a strong fiscal base for the Citycity. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-3, LU-18) LU-17.3 Revitalization. Promote the redevelopment of older commercial areas, allowing upgrades with exceptions from current Development Code standards as deemed necessary to achieve an economically feasible project that benefits the community , as long aswhile meeting all health and safety requirements are met, and encourage the development of mixed uses that include residential units and increased landscaping in commercial areas with an MU overlay to make use of under - utilized parking lots to create vital community spaces. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-18)
Saint Rose of Lima church
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-25 LU-17.4 Differentiation of Districts. Establish and maintain distinct identities for Simi Valley’s commercial districts differentiating neighborhood, shopping center, and retail s ervice centers and corridors by use, scale and form of development, and amenities. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18) LU-17.5 Cohesive Development. Discourage the piecemeal development of commercial sites. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-10, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-17.6 Traffic Impacts. Plan commercial development to minimize traffic impacts, encourage pedestrian flow, and increase sales from shared foot traffic. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-9, LU-18, M-2, NR-2)
Commercial uses Industrial uses Regional mall
GOAL LU-18
Well-Designed and Attractive Districts. Well-designed and attractive retail centers and corridors are provided that foster business activity by contributing to a positive experience for visitors and community residents.
P o l i c i e s
LU-18.1 Enhanced Design Character. Encourage the renovation, infill, and redevelopment of existing commercial centers and corridors to improve architectural design (e.g., façade improvements), reduce the visual prominence of parking lots, make centers more pedestrian friendly, reduce visual clutter associated with signage, and enhance the definition and character of the street frontage and associated streetscapes. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-9, LU-10, LU-11, LU-18) 358
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-26 LU-18.2 Architecture and Site Design. Locate
and design new development and
existing buildings that are renovated,
expanded, or remodeled in existing
commercial centers and corridors to
complement existing uses, as
appropriate, and exhibit a high quality of
architecture and site planning in
consideration of the following
principles:
a. Seamless connections and transitions
with existing buildings, in terms of
building scale, elevations, and
materials
b. Incorporation of signage that is
integrated with the buildings’
architectural character and provides
meaningful identification
c. Landscaping contributing to the appearance and quality, and reducing the heat -island effect, of development
d. Clearly delineated pedestrian connections between business areas, parking area s, and to adjoining neighborhoods and districts
e. Incorporation of plazas and expanded sidewalks to accommodate pedestrian, outdoor dining, and other activities (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18) LU-18.3 Buffering Adjoining Residential Areas. Ensure commercial uses adjoining residential neighborhoods or in mixed residential and commercial developments be designed to be compatible with each other. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-18.4 Retail Streetscapes. Maintain and, where deficient, improve street trees, plantings, furniture (such as benches, trash receptacles, news racks, and drinking fountains), signage, public art, and other amenities that promote pedestrian activity in retail commercial districts. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-9, LU-11, LU-14, LU-18, M-13)
LU-18.5 Connectivity to Neighborhoods. Link
commercial districts to adjoining
residential neighborhoods and other
districts, where appropriate, by well -
designed and attractive pedestrian
sidewalks and corridors. (Imp A-1, A-2,
LU-1, LU -4, LU -9, LU -11, LU -18, M -8,
M-13)
LU-18.6 Bicycle Facilities. Encourage
developers of commercial centers to
incorporate facilities that promote
customer and employee access by
Residential streetscape
Commercial streetscapes
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-27 bicycles, such as secured storage, and showers and lockers for employees. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-9, LU-18)
MIXED -USE CORRIDORS AND DIST RICTS
Goals and policies of this section of the General Plan provide for the development of properties and buildings that integrate a diversity of uses such as retail, office, restaurant, entertainment, and residential uses, which are developed as quality places to live, work, shop, and be entertained. Mixed-use development is intended to provide opportunities for an individual to participate in multiple daily activities at one location, thereby reducing automobile trips, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and noise.
GOAL LU-19
Mixed-Use Villages. Well-designed d istricts are developed containing an integrated mix of commercial, office, entertainment, and/or housing that enhance pedestrian activity and enable Simi Valley’s residents to live close to businesses and employment, reduce automobile use, actively engage with each other and enhance pedestrian activity.
P o l i c i e s
LU-19.1 Land Use Mix. Allow for mixed-use districts that integrate housing with retail, office, entertainment, and public uses where the housing may be developed on the upper floors of multi -use buildings or located in stand-alone buildings on the a project site . (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-16, LU-18) LU-19.2 Development Scale. Establish standards to assure that a sufficient scale and footprint of any single use is achieved in mixed -use areas to establish a cohesive environment that minimizes impacts attributable to the adjacency of differing uses. This may define minimum parcel and building sizes, number of housing units, and/or nonresidential square footage, as well as relationships and setbacks among the uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-16, LU-18) LU-19.3 Design. Design mix ed-use development projects to enhance pedest rian activity, including the following elements:
a. Expanded sidewalks along building frontages
and incorporation of a public plaza containing
benches, landscaping, public art, directional
signage, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and other
amenities
b. Uses with outdoor seating, such as
restaurants
c. Pedestrian corridors connecting parking
areas with buildings that are clearly defined
by paving materials, landscaping, lighting ,
and well-designed directional signage
d. Site landscaping that contributes to the
aesthetic and economic value of the center
and provides a tree canopy reducing the heat island effect and greenhouse gas emissions
Conceptual rendering of proposed Tapo District Lofts
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-28 e. Buildings oriented toward the street with parking located to the rear of the building s, underground, or in structures (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-9, LU-11, LU-16, LU-18) LU-19.4 On-Site Amenities. Incorporate recreational areas and other pedestrian -scale amenities in mixed - use projects, such as benches, fountains, and landscaping, to support residents or contribute to their development within proximity of the project. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-16, LU-18) LU-19.5 Design Integration. Integrate residential and nonresidential portions of mixed-use buildings through architectural design, development of pedestrian walkways, and landscaping. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-16, LU-18)
LU-19.6 Compatibility of Residential and Nonresidential Uses. Design buildings that integrate housing with nonresidential u ses to assure compatibility among uses and public safety, including separate accesses, fire suppression barriers, secured resident parking, noise insulation, and other similar elements. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-16, LU-18, S-6, N-1)
BUSINE SS PARKS AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
Goals and policies of this section of the General Plan provide for the maintenance and enhancement of diverse, economically vital, and well -designed business parks and industrial districts that offer employment opportunities for Simi Valley’s residents and contribute revenue to support City services.
GOAL LU-20
Quality Business Parks and Industrial Districts. A diversity of districts accommodating office, business park, and light industrial uses are developed that provide a variety of job opportunities for Simi Valley’s residents, reducing their need to commute to other communities, while not undulybut also without substantially impacting the residential environment.
P o l i c i e s
LU-20.1 Diversity of Uses. Provide for a variety of office, industrial, and research and development uses that offer job opportunities for Simi Valley’s residents. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-15, LU-18) LU-20.2 Supporting Uses. Encourage the
integration of compatible uses in
business park and industrial districts that
serve the needs of employees and
reduce their need to travel off -site
during the workday, including such uses
as financial services, business services,
restaurants, and health clubs. (Imp A-1,
A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-15, LU-18)
LU-20.3 Location. Locate industrial and business
park areas near major transportation
routes such as freeways, railways, or arterials to reduce traffic on residential streets while providing efficient transportation of supplies and workers. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-15, LU-18)
Business park
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-29 LU-20.4 Childcare Facilities. Encourage major business park and industrial development projects to incorporate childcare facilities on site. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-15, LU-18) LU-20.5 Bicycle Facilities. Encourage major business park and industrial projects to incorporate facilities that promote employee access by bicycles such as secured storage, showers, and lockers. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-9, LU-15, LU-18)
LU-20.6 Site Planning and Design. Require new and renovated multi -tenant business and industrial p ark development projects to be designed to accommodate safe and convenient access by vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles and exhibit a high -quality, attractive, and cohesive environment, which may be characterized by the following:
a. Location of buildings around common plazas, courtyards, walkways, and open spaces, including amenities for the comfort of employees, such as outdoor seating areas b. Incorporation of landscape that enhances a park -like setting along property edges, building frontages, and to b reak the visual
continuity of surface parking lots
c. Common signage program for tenant
identification and directions
d. Readily observable site access,
entrance drives, building entries, and
pedestrian paths through parking lots,
to create a safe haven a h aven and
access for pedestrians and minimize
conflict between service vehicles,
private automobiles, and pedestrians (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-15, LU-18) LU-20.7 Buffering from Adjacent Properties. Ensure that business and industrial park developments are positive additions to the City’s community setting, incorporating adequate landscaped buffers to minimize any negative impacts to surrounding neighborhoods and development, and controlling on- site lighting, noise, odors, vibrations, toxic materials, truck access, and other elements that may impact adjoining non-business-park and non-industrial uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-15, LU-18)
INSTITUTIONAL AND PUBLIC USES
Goals and policies of this section of the General Plan provide for the development and maintenance of civic, park, school, utility, institutional, and other public and institutional uses to assure adequate distribution and access for residents and businesses; consistency with the pattern, scale, and quality of development; and prevention of adverse impacts on the community.
GOAL LU-21
Public and Quasi -Public Uses Supporting Resident Needs. Governmental, utility, institutional, educational, recreational, cultural, religious, and social facilities and services are located and designed to complement Simi Valley’s neighborhoods, centers, and corridors.
Business park
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-30 P o l i c i e s
LU-21.1 Adequate Community -Supporting Uses. Seek to ensure that adequate public and private community-supportive facilities and services, such as schools, parks, and public gathering places, are located throughout the Citycity. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-13, LU-18) LU-21.2 Location. Locate community service facilities in consideration of public safety, efficiency of service, and cost. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-13, LU-18) LU-21.3 Co-Location of Community Facilities. Promote the co -location of parks, schools, libraries, health services, recreation facilities, and other community facilities to support resident needs and leverage limited resources. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-9, LU-13, LU-18)
LU-21.4 Coordination with Non -City Public Service Providers. Coordinate, partner with, and encourage school and utility districts and other government and independent agencies that may be exempt from City land use cont rol and approval to plan and improve their properties and design improvements to achieve a high level of visual and architectural quality that maintains the character of the neighborhood or district in which they are located. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-13, LU-18) LU-21.5 School Parking and Access. Work with schools to ensure that parking and student drop -offs are located to minimize impacts on adjoining residential neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-13, LU-18, M-14)
LU-21.6 Care Facilities. Encourage the development o f senior daycare facilities, assisted living facilities, hospice, child carechildcare, and other care facilities in areas where they can be located, designed, and managed to assure compatibility with and the safety of adjoining uses and in accordance with state legislation. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-13, LU-18) LU-21.7 Assembly Facilities. Encourage and support the development of assembly facilities for social, cultural, educational, and religious organizations in locations where they can be located, designed, and managed to assure compatibility with and the safety of adjoining uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-13, LU-18)
LU-21.8 Parks and Open Spaces. Seek to expand the City’s parklands, greenways, and open spaces as land becomes available and coordinate with other agencies, such as Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Include open spaces in mixed-use development in the form of pocket parks and other types of urban outdoor, sh ared areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-8, LU-13, LU-18, NR-1)
363
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-31 LU-21.9 Design of Civic B uildings and
Spaces. Lead by example,
demonstrating design excellence
in new buildings and properties
developed by the City, such as
civic facilities and public parking
structures, by incorporating
sustainable building practices,
providing a high level of
architectural quality, designing
landscape areas that are water
efficient, and including other
features that demonstrate
exceptional standards for
development. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-9, LU-11, LU-13, LU-18) LU-21.10 Compatibility of Public Buildings and S ites. Ensure that City -owned buildings, sites, and infrastructure are designed to be compatible in scale, mass, character, architecture, and landscape with the district or neighborhood in which they are located, and minimize potential impacts such as traffic, noise, and lighting. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-2, LU-3, LU-11, LU-18, NR-2) LU-21.11 Design and Integration of Hillside Infrastructure. Require that major hillside improvements be located and designed to avoid a prominent appearance from urban areas, blend int o the natural topography, and utilize attractive, low -maintenance, drought -tolerant materials. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU-3, LU-7, LU-11, LU-13, LU-18, NR-3)
LU-21.12 Landscaping of Infrastructure. Work with applicable City departments and external agencies to assure that major valley-floor improvements, such as the railroad, arroyo channels, major roadways, and the freeway, are well landscaped. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-11, LU-13, LU-18) LU-21.13 Water Storage Tanks. Require that the visual impacts of water storage tan ks be minimized by berming, landscaping, or other means, pursuant to the requirements of Ventura County Waterworks District #8. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-11, LU-13, LU-18) LU-21.14 Stormwater Facilities. Require that structures to channel or retain wat er be designed and constructed of materials and colors so as to to blend with the natural environment. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-11, LU-13, LU-18)
LU-21.15 Integration of Utilities. Require utilities that cannot be feasibly placed underground be located and designed to produce the least visual and environmental impact on the community. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-11, LU-13, LU-18)
Simi Valley City Hall
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-32
OPEN SPACES
GOAL LU-22
Open Space Buffer. A permanent open space buffer surrounds the City of Simi Valley to separate it from and assure a transition with adjoining urbanized communities, while providing opportunities protect and sustain natural resources.
P o l i c i e s
LU-22.1 Open Space Buffer. Encourage
agricultural or recreational uses in buffer
areas between Simi Valley and adjacent
communities. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -1, LU -3,
LU-6, LU-8, LU-17, LU-18, NR-1)
LU-22.2 Agricultural Uses. Require that
agricultural land uses devoted to the
growing of cr ops be located and
managed to ensure compatibility with
adjacent land uses. Agricultural land uses
devoted to the raising or maintaining of
livestock should be buffered from
urbanized areas. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -1,
LU-3, LU-6, LU-17, LU-18)
Protected open space adjacent to development
365
604
L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-33 Community Subare as and Districts
A number ofMany residential, commercial, and industrial districts in Simi Valley are characterized by existing conditions, are constrained by their natural setting and/or infrastructure, or offer opportunities that are unique to their specific locations or uses. During the General Plan Update process, twelve 12 areas were identified for land use changes were identified. Policies in this section express specific intentions for use, design, character, and implementation that uniquely apply to and differentiate the area. These supplement and do not supersede the general goals and policies presented in earlier sections of t he Plan. In some of these areas, only the land use designation is changed , and no additional goals or policies are required to implement the proposed changes. These areas include the Katherine Road Connection Area, the Parker Ranch Expansion Areas, and the Covington Avenue/Rudolph Drive Area. These areas are not included in the following community sub -areas and districts discussion; however, land use changes for these areas are included in the land use map.
TAPO STREET CORRIDOR
366
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-34 GOAL LU-23
Mixed-Use Corridor. Redevelopment of the Tapo Street corridor enhances the economic vitality of its underutilized commercial properties through their re-positioning as a focal point of neighborhood identity and activity and incorporation of a diversity of commercial, office, business park, and residential uses developed in a pedestrian-oriented environment.
P o l i c i e s
LU-23.1 Mixed-Use Development. Encourage the improvement and higher economic use of properties along the Tapo Street corridor as a series of di stinct centers and nodes containing a mix of retail, office, and residential uses, as follows:2
2 Any land use listed for each subarea may be developed within that area. Refer to Land Use Element, Section 5 (Land Use Designations) for description of land use categories and permitted development densities (units per acre) and floor area ratio (FAR) for each specified land use category.
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-35 a. Area A
■ Vertical mixed -use development,
with commercial on the ground floor
and residential on the upper floors
■ General Commercial
■ Office Commercial
■ Very High Density Residential
b. Area D
■ Three-story vertical mixed -use
commercial and residential
■ General Commercial
■ Office Commercial
■ Very High Density Residential uses (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18)
LU-23.2 Business Park Node. Promote the infill and enhancement of properties in Area E, south of Los Angeles Avenue, for business park and supporting uses, as the southern anchor of the Tapo Street corridor. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-15, LU-18)
LU-23.3 Mixed-Use Village. Promote the redevelopment of underutilized commercial properties east of Tapo Street in Area D as a pedestrian -oriented, mixed-use “village environment,” where buildings are clustered along and front sidewalks, plazas, and o pen spaces. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-16, LU-18)
LU-23.4 Compatibility with Residential Neighborhoods. Require that the edges of the mixed -use and commercial properties be designed to minimize noise, lighting, odor, and truck delivery and unloading impacts on adjoining residential neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-4, LU-18, NR-2)
LU-23.5 Streetscape Improvements. Improve sidewalks and crosswalks with distinctive paving materials and pedestrian-oriented amenities, and develop bikeways, where feasible, to improve the connectivity of the properties with one another and adjoining residential neighborhoods. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-4, LU-11, LU-18, M-13)
Existing development on Tapo Street
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-36
LOS ANGELES AVENUE AREA
GOAL LU-24
Enhanced Community Center. Improvement of the economic vitality and cohesive use of underutilized commercial and industrial properties within the Los Angeles Avenue area, capitalizing on the potential development of a new Metrolink station. This would reposition the area as a focal point of community identity and activity, incorporating a diversity of commercial, office, business park, and residential uses developed in a pedestrian-oriented transit village environment.
P o l i c i e s
LU-24.1 Mixed-Use Development. Encourage the improvement and higher economic use of properties along the Los Angeles Avenue and First Street corridors as a series of distinct centers and nodes containing a mix of retail, office, business park, and residential uses, as follows:
a. Area B
■ Vertical mixed -use deve lopments to include housing, commercial, and entertainment uses
■ General Commercial
■ Very High Density Residential (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18) 369
608
L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-37
Existing development on Los Angeles Avenue
New mixed-use development New commercial development New multi-family development LU-24.2 Transit-Oriented Development. Promote the development of a new Metrolink transit station to serve the western portion of Simi Valley and intensify development within its proximity to foster transit use and reduce automobile trips, energy consumption, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Incorporate retail uses in the ground floor of street-facing elevations of parking structures developed to serve transit riders and or office uses that are designed for continuity with development on adjoining parcels. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-1, LU-3, LU-9, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18, ED-8, M-15)
LU-24.3 Mountain Gate Mixed-Use Village. Promote the redevelopment of the Mountain Gate commercial center as a pedestrian -oriented mixed -use “village environment,” where buildings are clustered along and front sidewalks, plazas, and open spaces, capitalizing on the development of a Metrolink station. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18, ED-1, ED-8) LU-24.4 Donville Avenue Extension. Extend Donville Avenue to connect with Easy Street, to improve traffic movement in this area. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-4, LU-14, LU-18) LU-24.5 Streetscape Improvements. Improve sidewalks and crosswalks with distinctive paving materials and pedestrian-oriented amenities, and develop bikeways, where feasible, to improve the connectivity among properties. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-4, LU-9, LU-14, LU-18, M-13) LU-24.6 Planned Development. Develop a master or specific plan to guide development of the Los Angeles Avenue and First Street corridors as a distinct and cohesive district that integrates a diversity of uses, promotes architectural consistency, and provides for unifying streetscape amenities and improvements. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-4, LU-18)
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PATRICIA AVENUE/HEYWOOD STREET AREA
GOAL LU-25
High-Density Residential Community. A neighborhood containing high -density multi -family residential uses is developed offering a diversity of housing choices for Simi Valley’s residents that complement mixed-use development along and north of Los Angeles Avenue and is linked to open space amenities along the Arroyo Simi.
P o l i c i e s
LU-25.1 Uses and Connectivity. Accommodate High
Density and Very High Density Residential
development projects in this area to be connected
by sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways to mixed -
use development along and n orth of Los Angeles
Avenue and the Arroyo Simi. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3,
LU-4, LU-9, LU-10, LU-11, LU-14, LU-18)
Existing development on Patricia Avenue
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610
L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-39 LU-25.2 Relationship to the Arroyo Simi. Encourage multi- family housing development located along the
Arroyo Simi to be oriented to take advantage of
views and access to the Arroyo Simi, and to
incorporate landscaped open spaces along its
length. “Backdoor” uses such as carports and
storage areas should be separated and not be
oriented toward the Arroyo Simi corridor .
(Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-11, LU-18)
LU-25.3 Lot Consolidation Incentives. Provide incentives for the merging of lots to allow for more cohesive,
better-designed projects. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -3,
LU-10, LU-18, ED-1)
WEST END SPECIFIC PLAN AREA
New multi-family development
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-40 GOAL LU-26
Business Park. This property is developed for business park uses, allowing a variety of office, research, industrial, and a limited amountnumber of commercial uses.
P o l i c i e s
LU-26.1 Topographic Setting. Require that buildings, parking, and driveways are designed and located to respect the
area’s natural topography and consider viewsheds
from the freeway. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -1, LU -4, LU -15, LU-18)
LU-26.2 Freeway Interchange. Support construction of a freeway interchange to improve access from the
freeway to this area. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-13, LU-18, M-12)
Existing development
New business park
373
612
L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-41
EASY STREET INDUSTRIAL AREA
GOAL LU-27
Business Park. Intensification of office and business park uses is allowed to offer job opportunities for Simi Valley’s residents in the Easy Street Industrial Area.
P o l i c i e s
LU-27.1 Office and Business Park Uses. Promote the development of vacant and underutilized prop erties for office and business park uses that provide job opportunities for Simi Valley’s residents, while capitalizing on its proximity to a potential Metrolink transit station. Consider locating the highest densities within walking distance of the transi t station. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-10, LU-15, LU-18, ED-8)
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Existing business park New business park development
LU-27.2 Lot Consolidation Incentives. Include incentives that result in the merging of lots to allow for more cohesive and better designed projects. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-10, LU-15, LU-18) LU-27.3 Connectivity to Transit. Promote the development of sidewalks and bikeways connecting and providing direct access between the business park and a potential Metrolink transit station serving the western portion of Simi Valley. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-9, LU-14, LU-18)
OLD TOWN
375
614
L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-43 GOAL LU-28
Historic Neighborhood. The enhancement of Old Town as a distinct residential neighborhood reflects its role as the historic core of Simi Valley, offering a diversity of housing choices for residents that are designed to reflect the Citycity’s architectural traditions.
P o l i c i e s
LU-28.1 High Density Residential Corridors.
Accommodate the development of High Density
Residential uses, up to three stories in height.
(Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-9, LU-10, LU-18)
LU-28.2 Specific Plan. Prepare a specific plan that guides development for this area as a distinct and
cohesive neighborhood reflecting Simi Valley’s
history. The plan should provide for unifying
streetscape amenities and improvements (e.g.,
trees, signage, sidewalk and crosswal k paving,
pedestrian-oriented lighting, and other),
discourage access to the east, unless it is required
by the Fire District, and guide development of a
mix of housing types, including
Medium, Moderate, and High
Density Residential uses. (Imp A-1,
A-2, LU-4, LU-18)
LU-28.3 Compatibility with Single -Family
Residential Uses. Incorporate
adequate buffers and transitions
between higher density residential
uses and existing single -family
residential uses for new
development. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1,
LU-3, LU-4, LU-18)
New multi-family residential development
Existing residential uses
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-44
RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY VISITOR -SERVING
AREA
GOAL LU-29
Visitor-Serving Center. Development of properties adjoining the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as a visitor -serving center capitalizes on the Library’s presence, contributes tax revenue to support City services, and provides gathering places for the Simi Valley community.
Po lic y
LU-29.1 Specific Plan. Prepare a specific plan to promote the development of a boutique or resort hotel, with restaurants, gift shops, spa, and conference/community event facilities to support the adjoining Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-4, LU-18, ED-3)
Existing facility New hotel/visitor service facility
377
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-45
LOS ANGELES AVENUE TRANSIT -ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
AND INDUSTRIAL AREA
GOAL LU-30
Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use Development. Development in the proximity of the existing Metrolink rail transit station is concentrated and unified to foster transit use and reduce automobile trips, energy consumption, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
P o l i c i e s
LU-30.1 Business Park Enhancement. Promote the infill and enhancement of properties in Area A for business park development with improved pedestrian access to support the adjacent transit - oriented development area. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-15, LU-18) LU-30.2 Mixed-Use Development and Transit-Oriented Uses. Promote the development of a mix of business park, commercial, and multi -family residential uses in proximity to the Metrolink Station.
Accommodate mixed-use projects in any of the following areas:
a. Area B
■ Vertical mixed-use with residential located above ground floor retail or office uses ■ General Commercial
b. Area C
■ Vertical mixed-use with residential located above ground floor retail or office uses ■ General Commercial
■ Commercial Office (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18) LU-30.3 Transit Village. Locate and design development adjacent to the Metrolink station in Area C to create a cohesive and distinctly identifiable transit village. Parking should be accommodated in a structure. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-11, LU-16, LU-18) 378
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-46 LU-30.4 Parking Structures. Encourage the development of parking structures to serve transit riders that contain ground level retail and/or office uses that are designed for continuity with development on adjoining parcels. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-4, LU-9, LU-18) LU-30.5 Very High Density Residential Development. Promote the development of Very High Density Residential uses in Area D to support the adjacent transit-oriented development area and assist in the City’s efforts to achieve its regional fair share housing allocation. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-3, LU-9, LU-10, LU-18)
Existing train station New mixed-use development New mixed-use development 379
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-47
SIMI VALLEY HOSPITAL/SYCAMORE DRIVE CORRIDOR
GOAL LU-31
Medical-Related Uses Corridor. Development of the Simi Valley Hospital/Sycamore Drive Corridor as a distinctive district containing a diversity of uses that supports and capitalizes on the presence of the Simi Valley Hospital and provides job opportunities for Simi Valley’s residents.
P o l i c i e s
LU-31.1 Medical-Related Uses. Promote the development of offices, commercial services, care facilities, and other uses that are related to and support the activities of the Simi Valley Hospital. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-9, LU-10, LU-18, ED-8)
LU-31.2 Overlay Zone . Prepare a n overlay zone that guides development of the Simi Valley Hospital/Sycamore Drive corridor as a distinct and cohesive district. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-4, LU-18) 380
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-48
Existing Simi Hospital facility New office park, hospital uses GOAL LU-32
General Plan and Zoning Consistency. Development proposals within the Citycity are consistent with the General Plan Policies and Land Use Designations identified on the General Plan Land Use Map.
P o l i c i e s
LU-32.1 Consistency Guidelines. Require that new development proposals be consistent with General Plan policies, land use designations, and zoning as shown in Table LU-2 (General Plan/Zoning Consistency Matrix) and Table LU-2 (Zoning Districts). A development proposal shall be determined consistent with the General Plan if it meets applicable policies of the General Plan to the greatest extent possible, and complies with the following criteria and principles:
■ Applicable Policies—A development proposal is consistent with the General Plan if it meets all applicable policies of the General Plan, to the maximum extent possible. ■ Land Uses —A d evelopment proposal is consistent with the General Plan if the existing or proposed land uses are the same as, or consistent with, those identified for the land use designation.
■ Number of Units—For residential development proposals, the existing or proposed number of units per gross acre must fall within the range of units allowed for that land use designation or the next lower one in order toto be determined to be consistent with the General Plan. ■ Proportion of Land Uses —If a development proposal includes parcels with multiple land use designations, some flexibility is allowed in the arrangement of those uses within the total project area; however, the proposed land uses must be in the same proportion as those identified on the land use map in order to to determine that the development proposal is consistent with the General Plan.
■ HPS Designation—In some cases, land designated on the Land Use Map, as Open Space, Low Density Residential, or another designation, may not meet the criteria for that designation per the Hillside Performance Standards, based on actual topography. In such cases, the predominant land use for adjacent properties may be considered for that property, which will be determined to be consistent with the General Plan.
■ Parcels Less Than 1 Acre—A parcel of 1 acre or less may have a different zone than what is allowed by the General Plan land use designation if the following criteria are met: (a) the proposed use is consistent with the policies of the General Plan, and (b) the proposed use is 381
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-49 consistent with the parcel size, zoning, and uses of adjacent properties. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-18, NR-2)
Table LU-1 General Plan/Zoning Consistency Matrix
Land Use Designation Compatible Zoning Districts
Open Space OS, (A), (H), (L)
Residential Estate
Very Low Density
Low Density
Medium Density
Moderate Density
High Density
Very High Density
Mobile Home
RE, OS, (A), (H), (L)
RVL, RE, (A), (H), (L)
RL, RVL, (A), (H), (L)
RM, RL, (A), (H), (L)
RMod, RM
RH, RMod
RVH, RH
MH
Neighborhood Commercial
Office Commercial
Recreation Commercial
General Commercial
CN
CO, (MU)
CR
CPD, CO, CR, CN, CI, (MU)
Business Park
Industrial
BP, GI, LI, CPD, CI, (BP)
GI, LI
Mixed-Use CO, CPD, GI, LI, RVH, (MU)
Public/Semi-Public:
Civic Center
Public Services Center
Hospital
Regional Park
Community Park
Neighborhood Park
Golf Course
Transportation
Waterbodies
Cemetery
CC
LI, GI
CO, CN, CPD
P
P
P
All Residential Zones, CR, CPD
All Zones
All Zones
OS
Regional Facility:
Sanitary Landfill
University
OS
All Residential Zones
382
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-50 Table LU-2 Zoning Districts
Zoning District
Abbreviations Zoning District
OS
RE
RVL
RL
RM
RMod
RH
RVH
MH
W
WP
P
CN
CO
CC
CR
CPD
CI
BP
LI
GI
Open Space
Residential Estate
Residential Very Low
Residential Low
Residential Medium
Residential Moderate
Residential High
Residential Very High
Mobile Home
Water Storage Facilities – Public
Water Storage Facilities – Private
Park
Commercial Neighborhood
Commercial Office
Civic Center
Commercial Recreation
Commercial Planned Development
Commercial Industrial
Business Park
Light Industrial
General Industrial
Overlay Zones:
(A)
(BP)
(L)
(H)
(FC)
(HM)
(MU)
(SB)
(SP)
(TAPO)
(LAAPO)
(NVD)
Farm Animal
Business Park
Limited Farm Animal
Horse
Freeway Combining
Hospital-Medical
Mixed-Use
Sexually Oriented Business
Specific Plan
Tapo Area Planning Overlay
Los Angeles Avenue Planning Overlay
New Vehicle Dealer
383
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-51 Land Use Designations
For planning purposes, the Simi Valley General Plan Land Use Map designates five major categories of land use with subcategories included under each major category. The five major categories include residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, public/semi-public uses, and regional facilities/institutions. These land uses are described below.
RESIDENTIAL DESIGNATIONS
CATEGORIES AND DENSITIES
Residential density ranges are defined in terms of dwelling units per net acre of the building site, excluding existing public right-of-way. New right-of-way is given density credit that is transferred to the buildable portion of the site.
O p e n S p a c e ( 0– 1 u n i t p e r 4 0 a c r e s ) PURPOSE: It is intended that land use patterns in Open Space areas will be dominated by recreational uses, agricultural uses, grazing, and very large lot estate or farm homes. To encourage the keeping of areas designated as Open Space in a largely undeveloped state, allowable dwelling units (i.e., 1 dwelling unit/40 acres) may be transferred to portions of the subject parcel which are not designated Open Space. It is also intended that this designation (a) provide for a very low density farm and environment and housing/life style choice; (b) provide a buffer between Simi Valley and adjacent communities; (c) retain land with greater than 20 percent slope as open space; (d) provide for the controlled development of natural resources; and (e) hold some land from urban development until such time as the valley floor and the closer in canyon areas are approaching full development.
R e s i d e n t i a l E s t a t e ( 0– 1 u n i t p e r a c r e ; 1- a c r e m i n i m u m l o t s i z e ) PURPOSE: To create a residential environment typified by lots of one acre and over and houses of an individual design. Residential Estate lots should be clustered to the extent possible so as toto form an identifiable neighborhood and image.
V e r y L o w D e n s i t y ( 0– 2 u n i t s p e r a c r e ; 2 0 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t m i n i m u m l o t s i z e )
PURPOSE: To create a single-family residential environment typified by half-acre- or larger-sized lots that are not clustered. It is intended that this designation be used in areas proposed for animal keeping and similar semi-rural uses.
L o w D e n s i t y ( 2 . 1– 3 . 5 u n i t s p e r a c r e ; 1 0 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t m i n i m u m l o t s i z e )
PURPOSE: To encourage a single-family suburban and rural residential environment with a wide range of lot sizes but a low overall density. Clustering of smaller lots in order to to achieve both affordable housing and to minimize hillside grading is intended, especially within larger developments and 384
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-52 outlying canyon areas. The Low Density designation is intended for use in the peripheral areas of the valley floor as well as in outlying canyon areas that are under 20 percent slope.
M e d i u m D e n s i t y ( 3 . 6– 5 . 0 u n i t s p e r a c r e ; 8 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t m i n i m u m l o t s i z e )
PURPOSE: To encourage a predominantly single -family residential environment with a wide range of lot sizes, but an overall density similar to the bulk of single-family developments on the valley floor.
The Medium Density designation is intended for use on the valley floor as well as in the outlying canyon areas that are under 20 percent slope.
M o d e r a t e D e n s i t y ( 5 . 1– 1 0 . 0 u n i t s p e r a c r e ; 5 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t m i n i m u m l o t s i z e )
PURPOSE: To create residential areas composed of detached, single -family dwelling units on small lots and attached residential projects for senior or affordable housing units or to minimize design constraints of the site, such as traffic noise, flooding potential, or topography. The Moderate Density designation is intended for use mainly on the central portion of the valley floor with limited use in outlying canyon areas.
H i g h D e n s i t y ( 1 0 . 1– 2 0 u n i t s p e r a c r e ) PURPOSE: To encourage a residential environment typified by higher density townhouses, two - to three- story apartments and other, multiple unit developments. This designation is inten ded for use in the more central areas near shopping, near transit, and on arterial or collector streets.
V e r y H i g h D e n s i t y ( 2 0 . 1– 3 5 u n i t s p e r a c r e ) PURPOSE: To provide for a higher density residential environment. Very High Density areas are intended to result in garden apartments or similar structures, usually of three stories in height or more. It is intended that this designation be limited in its use to (a) the central portion of the valley floor, (b) on arterial streets, and (c) near shopping, transit, and other public facilities.
M o b i l e H o m e ( 0– 8 u n i t s p e r a c r e ) PURPOSE: To provide areas set aside specifically for mobile home subdivisions or parks. It is intended that this designation will result in well -designed mobile home projects at densiti es typical of most recent mobile home developments.
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED DENSITY RANGES
R e s i d e n t i a l D e n s i t y R a n g e s
State planning law requires general plans to establish “standards of population density and building intensity” for the various land use designations in the plan. The density expressed in the residential categories above are the legal standards for these uses and are expressed as an allowable range (i.e., minimum and maximum) of dwelling unit per net acres. These density ranges describe the range of zoning densities that are considered to be consistent with the General Plan land use designation. 385
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-53 D e v e l o p m e n t R a n g e
The Development Range is defined as the range of
residential densities normally associated with a giv en land use designation. When property is being zoned or
re-zoned without a specific project approval for purposes of consistency with the General Plan, it will normally be designated with a zone, which falls within this range,
depending on the circumstanc es affecting the site and
the density of surrounding development. Property shall
not receive a zoning designation in excess of the
Development Range for the land use designation in which the property is located without a density bonus.
H i l l s i d e D e n s i t i e s
The following standards shall be used to calculate the allowable number of units on parcels that have slopes of over 10 percent, unless otherwise exempted by the City’s Hillside Performance Standards:3 ■ 0–10% Slope Underlying General Plan designation at the top of the Development Range or 7 units per acre, whichever is less
■ 10–15% Slope 2 units per acre or the top of the Development Range, whichever is less ■ 15–20% slope 1 Unit per 4 acres
■ 20%+ Slope 1 Unit per 40 acres
All dwelling units in hillside areas shall be constructed on areas of the site that have less than 20 percent slope and in locations away from major natural drainage courses, which are less visible, and/or are more stable. By providing such flexibility, it is intended that single-family detached housing in hillside areas will be encouraged.
COMMERCIAL DESIGNATIONS
Commercial land use designations are divided into four categories, discussed below. Uses to be permitted in these areas and their development cha racteristics shall be consistent with all pertinent policies stated in the General Plan.
FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)
Standards of building intensity for nonresidential uses such as commercial, industrial, and mixed -use, are stated as a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR). In the case of mixed -use developments that include residential uses, the FAR includes residential building square footage, and the density range is not applicable. The Floor Area Ratio for a project is the ratio of gross floor area within the struct ure to total site area. Floor area does not include area within parking structures. Thus, a single-story structure that covers 25 percent of a site has an FAR of 0.25. A two-story structure covering 25 percent of the site has an FAR of 0.5.
3 There are two exceptions to this: (a) housing projects for senior citizens; or (b) residential projects located on a parcel not visible from viewpoints from the valley floor and containing at least 25 percent of the units that are affordable for low inc ome and very low income households and do not exceed a maximum density of ten (10) units per gross acre, including density bonus and density transfer.
This illustration shows different densities for residential development on a similarly sized lot. This graphic is
intended only to show the relative differences between
residential developments at various densities and does
not represent a density standard for this General Plan. 386
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-54
CATEGORIES
N e i g h b o r h o o d C o m m e r c i a l ( F A R 0 . 2 0 ) PURPOSE: Neighborhood Commercial areas shall be
designated to provide for small commercial
centers that provide a limited range of
products and services to the residents of the
surrounding neighborhood. T ypical uses in
such centers would include professional
offices, laundry and dry cleaning
establishments, drug stores, beauty and
barber shops, and other personal services.
Because of their proximity to residential
areas, such centers should be specifically
designed and operated to be compatible with
the adjacent residential development.
Limitations on design and operation would
include building height and intensity, trip
generation, architectural and signage controls suitable for a residential neighborhood, increased landscaping and stricter control of noise and glare compared to larger commercial centers, and controls on hours of operation and on delivery vehicles. Projects in this category would be limited to a height of one story.
O f f i c e C o m m e r c i a l ( F A R 1. 0 )
PURPOSE: Office Commercial areas shall be established to attract desirable and stable professional office development that will be in harmony with adjacent land uses. Typical office uses include law, real estate, investment, hospital and medical -related offices, and other services. Projects should typically not exceed two stories in height unless located near a major commercial or industrial area.
R e c r e a t i o n C o m m e r c i a l ( F A R 0 . 1 0 ) PURPOSE: To provide sites for commercial activities of a low-intensity, recreational nature, such as drive-in theaters, miniature, 3 -par, and regulation -length golf course s, camping grounds, athletic clubs, and other commercial recreation facilities. Because uses in this designation may vary significantly in terms of building density and intensity, the revie w of proposed projects should be carefully examined to ensure compatibility with surrounding development.
G e n e r a l C o m m e r c i a l ( F A R 0 . 3 0 )
PURPOSE: General Commercial centers shall be designated to serve five purposes: (a) satisfy the daily shopping needs of a localized (1- to 2-mile radius) trade area, (b) a major center to serve the needs of the entire Simi Valley market region, (c) set aside land for a broad range of commercial offices, (d) allow the location of new automobile dealership(s) in specified ove rlay areas , and (e) encourage spending by travelers passing through Simi Valley on SR -118. The types of stores
This illustration shows how various building configura- tions represent different FARs of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 on a similar sized parcel. This graphic is intended only to
show the relative differences in FAR and does not
represent an intensity standard for this General Plan.
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-55 suited for localized shopping needs include supermarkets, drug stores, quick-stop markets, small restaurants, personal services and small specialty retail shops, the types of facilities which would serve travelers include coffee shops and restaurants, gas stations, specialty retail shops , and entertainment. Projects in this category should not exceed two stories in height.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNATIONS
Industrial land use designations are divided into two categories. Allowable uses and designs of these areas shall be consistent with all pertinent policies in the General Plan.
B u s i n e s s P a r k ( F A R 0 . 50 )
PURPOSE: To provide desirable areas protected by performance, design and use controls regarding lot size, building size, appearance, land coverage, parking and loading facilities, noise, dust, fumes, internal circulation, and other environmental and functional issues for a variety of office, research and development, and industrial uses, including a limited range of commercial uses located and designed to service the park and its industrial tenants. Projects in this category will typically have a building site coverage factor of 25 to 35 percent. A minimum of 2 0 percent of the site must be devoted to landscaping.
I n d u s t r i a l ( F A R 0 . 3 2 )
PURPOSE: To provide areas for most Industrial uses. It is of special concern to the City that there be an adequate variety of sizes and locations of industrial parcels. Projects in this category should consist of one- to three-story buildings.
MIXED -USE DESIGNATION
The Mixed-Use designation allows pr operties to be developed for : (a) buildings containing housing on the second floor and higher with ground floor General Commercial, and/or Commercial Office uses; (b) a mix of differing land use categories distributed horizontally on a site ; or (c) a single land use category, where the permitted uses shall be determined by the policies specified for each area specified in the Community Subareas and Districts section of this Element.
M i x e d- U s e ( F A R 1 . 5 ) *
*(FAR 1.5 for buildings integrating General Commercial or Commercial Office with residential uses, where a maximum FAR of 0.3 may be developed for nonresidential uses and a maximum density of 35.0 units per acre for residential. Densities/intensities for single use buildings in a Mixed-Use district shall be determined by the corresponding land use category specified for the applicable use in the community subarea.) PURPOSE: The Mixed-Use designation provides the opportunity for the development of housing with General Commercial and/or Commercial Office uses to enable residents to live in proximity to commercial services, entertainment, and employment. This is intended to reduce the number of vehicle trips generated, fossil fuel consumption, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, while improving walkability and the quality of life for residents. All contribute to improving Simi Valley’s environmental sustainability, while enhancing economic vitality by locating customers 388
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C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-56 closer to businesses and improving public health by increased pedestrian activity. Permitted uses and densities/intensities for each category of use assigned to a Mixed-Use designation shall be consistent with those defined in the Community Subareas and Districts Section.
PUBLIC AND SEMI -PUBLIC DESIGNATIONS
The Land Use Map designates existing and potential public and semi-public services and facilities as follows:
C i v i c C e n t e r
PURPOSE: To provide a suitable location for a wide variety of governmental and public facilities in a campus atmosphere, including but not limited to federal or state offices, office and court facilities of the County of Ventura, city administrative offices, Senior Center, community centers, Cultural Arts Center and auditorium, and related commercial office and retail shops.
P u b l i c S e r v i c e s C e n t e r
PURPOSE: To pr ovide a suitable location for public activities of an industrial nature, such as vehicle and equipment maintenance, equipment and records storage, administrative offices, sanitation treatment plant, water quality testing facilities, cogeneration facilities , and related uses. This category also includes other public services such as police and fire stations that are located outside of the Civic Center campus.
R e g i o n a l P a r k
PURPOSE: Provide locations for larger parks that include a variety of recreational and open space uses and serving the entire Simi Valley area or larger areas.
C o m m u n i t y P a r k
PURPOSE: Community parks are major facilities designed to satisfy the widest spectrum of interests. In general, they are “drive-to” centers where families or organizations can find a sufficient variety of activities and opportunities, including community centers, to occupy several hours or an entire day. Community parks also provide specific or single -purpose recreational activities and amenities, such as a historical p ark, equestrian center, or dog park, and may draw users from surrounding communities. Community parks generally range in size from a minimum of 20 acres to 200 acres or more, depending on type and location. Themed community parks frequently entail greater space requirements than do urban, multi-purpose parks.
N e i g h b o r h o o d P a r k
PURPOSE: These parks are designed to meet the need for open areas of aesthetic value within a neighborhood and to allow active or passive recreation, usually for comparatively short p eriods of time, to residents and visitors. Typically, they range in size from 6 to 10 acres, and are intended to serve from 2,500 to 5,000 residents living within a radius of approximately 0.5 mile.
Important factors in the location of neighborhood parks include the specific location of the park in referencerelative to the service area, and the presence of traffic on arterial streets, freeways, 389
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-57 or railway rights-of-way, which may constitute obstacles or hazards to safe and easy access. Often, such parks are located adjacent to an elementary school with which they may share playing fields.
O p e n S p a c e— G o l f C o u r s e
PURPOSE: To designate public and private golf courses within the Citycity, as these properties represent a significant open space resource within the community.
T r a n s p o r t a t i o n / R i g h t s- of - W a y
PURPOSE: To designate major regional transportation routes within the Citycity and its sphere of influence including the Ronald Reagan Freeway (SR -118) and the Union Pacific Transportation Company rights-of-way.
Wa t e r b o d i e s
PURPOSE: To designate bodies of water within the Citycity or its sphere of influence , including, but not limited to, the Arroyo Simi, Sinaloa Lake, and Bard Reservoir.
C e m e t e r y
PURPOSE: To designate the location of cemeteries within the community, including, but not limited to , Assumption Cemetery, Mt. Sinai Memorial Park, and Simi Valley Public Cemetery.
REGIONAL FACILITY OR INSTITUTION
S a n i t a r y L a n d f i l l
PURPOSE: Provide for sanitary landfill operations, landfill -related gas recovery and collection systems, and ancillary electrical power generating and transportation facilities as well as equipment storage, administrative facilities and ancillary improvements related to a landfill, all of which are subject to government permits; provided, however, said designation shall not apply to landfills that receive hazardous wastes as defined in California Administrative Code, Title 22, Section 25117, as amended.
A m e r i c a n J e w i s h U n i v e r s i t y ( A J U ) PURPOSE: Provide for the unique multi -purpose American Jewish University, which provides educational, open space, recreation, conference, and retreat uses within its campus and land holdings.
Land Use Map
The General Plan Land Use Map, Figure LU-3, is a graphic representation of the Goals and Policies of the Land Use Element. This map depicts the general location and distribution of land uses described in this and other elements and serves as a guide for the City Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. Areas subject to flooding are identified in Figure S-3 (Flood Hazards) in Chapter 8 (Safety and Noise). The Land Use Map is implemented in concert with Policy LU-1.1, which establishes the maximum development permissible for housing, commercial, office, business park, and industrial land uses. The amount of development permissible is based on the 390
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393
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L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-61 commercial, office, business park, and industrial land uses. The amount of development permissible is based on the development capacity analyzed in the General Plan Environmental Impact Report, and any development that exceeds these limits may be subject to additional environmental review.
If the Citycity builds is built out to the levels of development permissible in the General Plan Land Use Map, the anticipated population in Simi Valley would be approximately 163,690 persons and employment would be at approximately 70,095 jobs, as shown in Table LU-3 (Potential Development Population and Employment).
Though there is no timeframe associated with the build-out of the General Plan, these potential development estimates are intended to provide broad estimates of potential population and employment in the Citycity for long-range planning purposes for the next 20 years.
Table LU-3 Potential Development Population and Employment Land Use Dwelling Units Populationa
Residential 53,669 163,690
Land Use Square Feet Employmentb
Retail 7,980,000 15,960
Office 6,412,000 25,648
Business Park 5,940,000 9,138
Industrial 12,577,000 19,349
Total Employment 70,095
a. Population is estimated by calculating the average persons per household of 3.05 in Simi Valley in 2006, the baseline year for existing development.
b. Employee estimates are calculated using the following employee per square foot factors: 1/500 Commercial, 1/250 Office, 1/650 Industrial and Business Park (Stanley R. Hoffman Associates, Inc.).
394
633
C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT
C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-62 Implementation Program
Each General Plan policy is correlated with one or more implementation measure. The Land Use and Community Design Implementation Program, presented in Ta ble LU-4 (Land Use and Community Design Implementation Program), describes the measures or actions to be taken by the City to carry out the goals and policies defined in this section.
Table LU-4 Land Use and Community Design
Implementation Program
20112021
20122021–
20152025
20162021–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
LU-1 Development Review Process. The City shall continue to regulate development for compliance with General Plan goals, policies, land uses, and development standards through the Development Review Process to ensure the following: not exceeding building intensity and population density levels described in the 2021- 2029 Housing Element update; developers paying fair share costs for new development; approvals that target providing broad range of housing types and commercial uses; establishing an efficient pattern and organization of land uses; providing development compatibility and transitions; providing fair and equitable access to affordable housing; locating mixed-use development and industrial and business parks near transportation; providing adequate community-supporting uses; and establishing open space and agricultural buffers.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-1.1, LU 1.4~LU-1.6, LU-1.85~LU-1.129, LU-2.1~LU-2.65, LU-3.1~LU-3.78, LU-4.1~LU-4.9, LU-5.1~LU-5.1113,
LU-6.1~LU-6.35, LU-6.5, LU-7.1, LU-7.2, LU-8.1~LU-8.410, LU-9.1~LU-9.4, LU-10.1~LU-10.7, LU-11.1, LU-11.2, LU-11.6, LU-12.1, LU-12.2, LU-13.1~LU-13.3, LU-14.1, ~LU-14.34,
LU-15.1~LU-15.4, LU-17.1, LU-17.2, LU-17.3~LU-17.6,
LU-18.1~LU-18.6, LU-19.21~LU-19.4, LU-19.6, LU-20.12,
LU-20.4~LU-20.7, LU-21.1~, LU-21.23, LU-21.6~, LLU-21.78, LU-22.1, LU-22.2, LU-23.1, LU-23.4, LU-23.5, LU-24.1, LU-24.2, LU-25.2, LU-26.1, LU-26.2, LU-27.3, LU-28.1, LU-28.3, LU-30.2~ LU-30.3, LU-30.45, LU-32.1, HR-2.1, M-3.3, M-3.5, M-4.1, M-8.1~M-8.7, M-12.5~M-12.7, M-15.2, IU-1.2, IU-6.1,
NR-1.7~NR-1.9, NR-2.1, NR-2.2, NR-2.5~NR-2.8, NR-3.2, NR-3.3, NR-9.2, EJ-2.4
LU-2 Environmental Review. The City shall continue to ensure that all development proposals are reviewed per the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to ensure that significant natural landmarks are maintained and integrated into project design; land uses are compatible; noise, lighting, and traffic impacts are addressed; scenic and natural areas are preserved; mature trees are protected; creeks and natural drainages are maintained and restored; and archaeological and paleontological resources are protected. Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-1.1, LU1.4~LU-6, LU-1.85, LU-1.118, LU-3.1, LU-3.2,
LU-4.1~LU-4.8, LU-5.1, LU-5.7~LU-5.9, LU-6.1~LU-6.4, LU-7.1, LU-8.4, LU-9.1, LU-9.2, LU-11.1, LU-16.1~LU-16.3, LU-17.6, LU-18.3, LU-21.10, LU-23.4, LU-32.1, HR-2.1~HR-2.4, M-15.2, NR-1.7, NR-1.9, NR-2.5~NR-2.7, NR-3.1, NR-7.1, NR-8.3, NR-9.1, NR-9.2, NR-9.5, NR-9.6, EJ-2.4
395
634
L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-63 Table LU-4 Land Use and Community Design
Implementation Program
20112021
20122021–
20152025
20162021–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
LU-3 Simi Valley Municipal Code. The City shall review and update the zoning districts, development standards, and zoning map of the Development Code to reflect the land use designations, development standards, policies, and land use map of the General Plan, including establishing new zoning districts for business parks and mixed-uses. Additionally, the City shall continue to implement the City’s Sign Ordinance, Tree Preservation Ordinance, and Green Building Code.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-1.1, LU-1.4~LU-1.6, LU-2.1~LU-2.54, LU-3.1, LU-3.2,
LU-3.4~LU-3.7, LU-4.1~LU-4.9, LU-5.1, LU-5.2, LU-5.4~LU-5.9, LU-6.1~LU-6.4, LU-7.1, LU-8.4, LU-8.9, LU-10.2, LU-10.3, LU-10.5~LU-10.7, LU-11.3~LU-11.6, LU-12.1, LU-12.2,
LU-13.1~LU-13.4, LU-13.6, LU-14.1~LU-14.43, LU-15.1, LU-15.3, LU-15.4, LU-16.1~LU-16.3, LU-17.1~LU-17.3, LU-19.1, LU-19.2, LU-19.4~LU-19.6, LU-20.1~LU-20.7, LU-21.1, LU-21.2,
LU-21.6~LU-21.11, LU-21.13, LU-21.15, LU-22.1, LU-22.2, LU-23.1~LU-23.4, LU-24.1~LU-24.3, LU-25.1~LU-25.3,
LU-27.1~LU-27.3, LU-28.1, LU-28.3, LU-30.1~LU-30.5, LU-31.1, ED-1.1~ED-1.4, ED-3.1, ED-3.2, ED-5.1, ED-5.2, HR-2.1, HR-2.4, M-3.6, M-12.7, M-14.7, PR-1.16
LU-4 Specific Plans or Form-Based Codes. The City shall continue to implement adopted specific plans and shall require and implement new specific plans for the following areas:
a. Los Angeles Avenue/First Street corridor
b. Old Town
c. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Visitor Area
d. Simi Valley Hospital/Sycamore Drive corridor
e. Commercial or industrial development in hillside areas f. Tapo Street Corridor
g. Walnut Hills
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-2.1~LU-2.65, LU-3.1~LU-3.5, LU-3.7, LU-3.8, LU-4.1~LU-4.5, LU-4.7, LU-4.8, LU-4.10, LU-5.1~LU-5.4, LU-6.1~LU-6.3, LU-6.5, LU-8.4, LU-8.6, LU-9.4, LU-10.4~LU-10.7, LU-11.1, LU-11.3, LU-12.1, LU-12.2, LU-14.1, LU-14.43, LU-15.1~LU-15.4, LU-17.1, LU-17.3~LU-17.5, LU-18.1~LU-18.6, LU-19.1~LU-19.6, LU-20.3, LU-20.6, LU-20.7, LU-21.1, LU-21.2, LU-21.13, LU-23.1,
LU-23.3~LU-23.5, LU-24.1, LU-24.3~LU-24.6, LU-25.1, LU-26.1, LU-28.2, LU-28.3, LU-29.1, LU-30.2, LU-30.3, LU-30.4, LU-31.2 LU-5 Managed Growth Plan. The City shall work to ensure the City’s Managed Growth Plan aligns with the current State law, as discussed in the most recent Housing Element update, and to evaluate development projects to ensure the Residential Building Permit Allocation System continues to reduce air pollution, protect the hillsides, promote affordable housing, and ensure ensure that population limits correspond to the current State requirements.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-1.1, LU-1.74, LU-2.1, LU-3.1, LU-3.2, LU-14.2, ED-3.1, EJ-1.3 396
635
C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T
C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-64 Table LU-4 Land Use and Community Design
Implementation Program
20112021
20122021–
20152025
20162021–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
LU-6 Citywide Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB). The City shall continue to enforce the CURB until December 31, 2020, or as extended, and review development proposals for consistency with the CURB to protect existing agricultural, open space, viewshed, and watershed lands surrounding the city. Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-1.2, LU-1.3, LU-3.2, LU-22.1, LU-22.2 LU-7 Hillside Performance Standards (HPS). The City shall continue to regulate development per the HPS to preserve hillside areas and view corridors, retain scenic and recreational resources, and maintain open space surrounding and within the city.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-3.1, LU-3.2, LU-4.1~LU-4.10, LU-6.1, LU-11.1, LU-11.3~LU-11.5, LU-21.11, M-3.4, NR-1.5, NR-1.7, NR-1.8, NR-2.1, NR-2.4, NR-2.5, NR-4.3, NR-4.5, NR-4.6, NR-5.1, NR-5.4, NR-7.4, NR-8.4, NR-9.3, NR-9.4
LU-8 Open Space Preservation. The City shall continue to require development agreements and conservation easements to preserve open space, as necessary.
In addition, oOther tools, such as greenbelt agreements, easement acquisition, donations, and leaseback arrangements shall be used to preserve open space, when appropriate. For mixed-use development, implement a requirement for pocket parks and other small, urban public open space areas for residents and visitors to the use.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-3.1~LU-3.3, LU-4.1~LU-4.4, LU-4.6, LU-6.1, LU-7.1, LU-11.1, LU-21.8, LU-22.1, IU-4.6, NR-1.1, NR-1.3~NR-1.7, NR-1.11, NR-3.1, NR-5.2, NR-5.5, S-8.7
LU-9 Climate Action Plan (CAP). The City shall establish a CAP to reduce or encourage reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from all sectors within the city. The CAP will establish a baseline inventory of GHG emissions and include measures to reduce GHG emissions by at least 15 percent of 1990 emission levels by year 2020.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-3.2, LU-3.6, LU-8.1~LU-8.4, LU-8.8, LU-8.9, LU-9.4, LU-10.5, LU-14.2, LU-17.1, LU-17.6, LU-18.1, LU-18.4~LU-18.6, LU-19.1, LU-19.3, LU-20.5, LU-21.3, LU-21.9, LU-23.1, LU-23.3, LU-24.2, LU-24.3, LU-24.5, LU-25.1, LU-27.3, LU-28.1, LU-30.2~LU-30.5, LU-31.1, NR-7.1, NR-7.3, NR-7.4, NR-8.2
LU-10 Infill Strategy. To encourage infill development, the City shall develop and maintain a citywide database of vacant and underutilized sites to provide information to developers and monitor the city’s growth and change. Annually, the City shall prepare a report on the number of vacant sites and underutilized sites that were developed during the previous year, andyear and verify that the city has not exceeded the General Plan limits for residential units and maximum square footages for commercial, industrial, and other uses have not been exceeded.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-1.1~LU-1.63, LU-2.1, LU-2.2, LU-3.2, LU-3.3, LU-8.4, LU-8.5, LU-10.1, LU-11.3, LU-14.2, LU-14.3, LU-14.4, LU-17.5, LU-18.1, LU-23.1, LU-24.1~LU-24.3, LU-25.1, LU-25.3, LU-27.1, LU-27.2, LU-28.1, LU-30.2, LU-30.5, LU-31.1, ED-1.3, ED-1.4, ED-3.1 397
636
L A N D U S E A N D C O M M U N I T Y D E S I G N ( L U ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-65 Table LU-4 Land Use and Community Design
Implementation Program
20112021
20122021–
20152025
20162021–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
LU-11 Wildland-Urban Interface Development. Consistent with the Safety and Noise Element, update development standards for all new and renovated development occurring adjacent to the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as illustrated in Figure S-2 and update City GIS shapefiles to reflect current CAL FIRE mapping for the fire hazard severity zones.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-1.1~LU-1.3, LU-2.1, LU-3.2, LU-3.3, LU-8.4, LU-8.5, LU-10.1, LU-11.3, LU-14.2, LU-14.43, LU-17.5, LU-18.1, LU-23.1,
LU-24.1~LU-24.3, LU-25.1, LU-25.3, LU-27.1, LU-27.2, LU-28.1, LU-30.2, LU-30.5, LU-31.1, ED-1.3, ED-1.4, ED-3.1
LU-12 ADU Permitting and Design Guidelines. The City shall streamline the ADU permitting process, reducing parking requirements, and educate property owners about the ADU program; to facilitate the review process develop design guidelines for ADUs and Junior ADUs.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-1.4X, LU-1.5, LU-14.3,
LU-1113 Design Guidelines. The City shall continue to review development proposals per the City’s adopted Design Guidelines, including the Citywide Design Guidelines, Residential Design Guidelines, and Landscape Design Guidelines.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-3.1, LU-3.5~LU-3.7, LU-4.1~LU-4.4, LU-4.7~LU-4.9,
LU-5.1~LU-5.65, LU-5.109~LU-5.121, LU-7.1, LU-7.2, LU-8.2, LU-8.3, LU-8.6, LU-10.1, LU-10.2, LU-10.5~LU-10.7, LU-11.1, LU-12.1, LU-12.2, LU-13.6, LU-14.1, LU-14.43, LU-15.1~LU-15.4, LU-17.4, LU-17.5, LU-18.1~LU-18.5, LU-19.3~LU-19.6, LU-20.6, LU-20.7, LU-21.9, LU-21.10~LU-21.15, LU-23.5, LU-25.1, LU-25.2, LU-30.3, EJ-2.4
LU-1214 Code Enforcement. The City shall encourage a proactive program to enforce the Municipal Code and other nuisance abatement programs that aim to keep the city’s neighborhoods attractive, safe, and free from public nuisances. Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-8.7, LU-10.1, LU-13.5, LU-13.6, LU-16.1, M-1.8, N-3.1 LU-1315 Interagency Coordination and Partnership. The City shall coordinate with appropriate public agencies and districts, including, but not limited to, Ventura County, the Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), Simi Valley Unified School District, public utility districts, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy regarding issues addressing the availability of utilities for new development proposals; annexations; location and design of community facilities to complement the community and meet community needs; a connected open space network and organization of places; the fair distribution of amenities and services to the community; and no undue concentration of high-impact uses.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-1.85, LU-1.107, LU-1.118, LU-2.65, LU-3.3, LU-6.1, LU-8.5, LU-8.6, LU-9.1~LU-9.3, LU-10.3, LU-10.4, LU-16.2,
LU-21.1~LU-21.9, LU-21.11~LU-21.15, LU-26.2, EJ-2.4
398
637
C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E NT
C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-66 Table LU-4 Land Use and Community Design
Implementation Program
20112021
20122021–
20152025
20162021–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
LU-1416 Fair Share Costs of Development. The City shall continue to require developers to construct improvements to the public right-of-way along their site frontage to pay fees in-lieu of constructing improvements, and to construct other infrastructure improvements, as necessary to serve the development, as well as those improvements identified as mitigation measures for project impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-1.96, LU-18.4, LU-24.4, LU-24.5, LU-25.1, LU-27.3, ED-4.3, M-1.6, M-8.2, M-8.3, IU-1.2, PR-1.19, PR-1.20, S-7.8
LU-1517 Business Park Overlay Zoning District. The City shall amend the Development Code to include a Business Park Overlay zoning district, land uses and permit requirements, and development standards. Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-2.3, LU-3.4, LU-20.1~LU-20.7, LU-23.2, LU-26.1, LU-27.1, LU-27.2, LU-30.1, ED-1.1, ED-3.2
LU-1618 Mixed-Use Overlay Zoning District. The City shall amend the Development Code to include a Mixed-Use Overlay zoning district, land uses and permit requirements, and development standards.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-2.1, LU-2.2, LU-3.6, LU-3.7, LU-8.4, LU-19.1~LU-19.6, LU-23.1, LU-23.3, LU-24.1~LU-24.3, LU-30.2, LU-30.3, ED-3.1, PR-1.16 LU-1719 Area of Interest Activities. The City shall continue to monitor activities taking place within Simi Valley’s Area of Interest, such as landfill operations, mineral excavations, and oil extraction activities. Agricultural and recreational uses shall be encouraged in this area. Reclamation plans for the areas within the City’s jurisdiction shall be required when these types of operations are terminated.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-1.118, LU-1.129, LU-3.1, LU-5.12, LU-22.1, LU-22.2 LU-1820 General Plan Consistency Program. The City shall ensure that the zoning for all development proposals is consistent with the General Plan per the following General Plan Consistency Guidelines: (1) all applicable General Plan policies are met; (2) the existing or proposed land uses are the same, or consistent with, those identified for the land use designation; (3) for residential projects, the existing or proposed number of units falls within the range of units allowed for that land use designation (or the next lower one); (4) if project includes multiple land use designations, the proposed land uses for the project are found in the same proportion; (5) in the HPS areas, land not meeting slope criteria for that designation may consider adjacent land use designations; and (6) parcels less than 1 acre in size may have a different zoning, if criteria are met.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) All policies
399
638
E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T ( E D )
G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-67
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (ED)
The City of Simi Valley recognizes the importance of economic development to the community’s economic vitality and fiscal health as these factors contribute to the City’s ability to generate sufficient revenues to provide quality public services and infrastructure, and a variety of community facilities and amenities. The goals and policies in this section address the City’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong and balanced economy that provides opportunities for employment, economic growth, and community services that enhance quality of life in the community.
These goals and policies provide a blueprint for sustainable economic development that revitalizes and strengthens existing commercial and industrial areas through new development activity and creates local employment opportunities for Simi Valley residents
in a variety of sectors that correlate to the high
education and skill levels in the community through
proactive business retention and attraction
strategies. Also, this strategy includes expanding
visitor and tourist-related services and amenities to
increase the length of stay and expenditure of
visitors to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
and shoppers at the Simi Valley Town Center mall,
two of the City’s largest visitor attractors.
GOAL ED-1
Economic Vitality and Sustainabilit y. A strong, diversified economic base is provided with a mix of businesses that contribute to Simi Valley’s identity and culture, provide high-paying jobs for residents, and generate revenue that sustains the level and quality of services expected by the City’sSimi Valley’s residents.
P o l i c i e s
ED-1.1 Identify and Attract Key Industries. Encourage a variety of environmentally friendly industries to locate in Simi Valley, including biotechnology, computer software, multimedia, and business, professional, and financial services that provide high -skill/high wage job opportunities. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-3, LU-15, LU-18, ED-1, ED-8)
ED-1.2 Facilitate Expansion of Existing Businesses. Promote the expansion of existing businesses to increase their employment and sales capacity , and extend efforts at business retention. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-3, LU-18, ED-1, ED-8)
ED-1.3 Increase Availability of Developable Nonresidential Land. Identify underutilized parcels of land in older urban areas and possibil ities for re use. Facilitate the use of incentives, such as “graduated density zoning” to increase the intensity of development in appropriate locations. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-3, LU-10, LU-18, ED-8)
Simi Valley Town Center
400
639
C H A P T E R 3: C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T
C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-68 ED-1.4 Strengthen Commercial Corridors. Pursue opportunities along Highway 118 for retail, commercial office, business park , and tourism uses, as well as the creation of additional transit -oriented development nodes with higher density, mixed-uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-10, LU-18, ED-3, ED-8) ED-1.5 Provide Ti mely Business Assistance. In collaboration with other public and private agencies, maintain a business attraction program to assist with site identification, incentive programs, permitting assistance, and other aspects of relocating or establishing a busin ess. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU-18, ED-8)
GOAL ED-2
Revitalization of Commercial and Industrial Areas. Commercial and industrial areas that serve as job centers and mixed-use neighborhood centers.
P o l i c i e s
ED-2.1 Revitalized Shopping Districts. Revitalize and reposition older retail centers and strip commercial by providing a competitive array of stores and mixed -use commercial/residential development. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, ED-2)
ED-2.2 Revitalize Older Industrial Districts. Revitalize and recycle older industrial areas into a mix of higher intensity business park, research and development, and professional office developments. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, ED-2)
GOAL ED-3
Improved Jobs-Housing Relationship. An economy exists that provides jobs that are better matched to the City’s labor force skills, housing types, and prices and provides opportunities for the local labor force to live and work in Simi Valley.
P o l i c i e s
ED-3.1 Range of Housing. Ensure that a selection of both single -family and multi -family housing types is available, providing a variety of housing densities types and prices available to all income levels. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-5, LU-10, LU-16, LU-18, ED-1)
ED-3.2 Range of Employment. Provide a wide
range of diversified employment
opportunities for Simi Valley residents
including employment fields, job
categories, required training, and skill
levels. Create and attract a broad
range of jobs that are accessible to all
residents, and that could aff ect a
better match between the City’s
resident labor force and the job base.
(Imp A-1, A -2, LU -3, LU -15, LU -18,
ED-1)
New business park
401
640
E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T ( E D )
G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-69 ED-3.3 Proactive Industry Strategies. Create proactive industry growth strategies with a focus on industries that provide a range of highe r skilled professional and technical jobs to match the City’s highly educated workforce. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, ED-8)
GOAL ED-4
Fiscal Strength and Stability. Prudent fiscal practices are provided that contribute to the generation of a high volume of public revenues to pay for municipal operations and provide a high quality of life for cCity residents.
P o l i c i e s
ED-4.1 Fiscal Principles. Support and coordinate economic development by following “best practices” fiscal principles to maintain a balanced budget that has the flexibility to provide both sufficient ongoing operational revenues and maintain a prudent level of reserves to meet economic uncertainties. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, ED-6)
ED-4.2 Public Facilities Phasing. Develop a Public Facilities Financing and Phasing Plan to set priorities for infrastructure and facilities phasing and financing that will implement the General Plan priorities and link the General Plan with the annual budget proce ss and the Capital Improvement Plan. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, ED-5)
ED-4.3 Expand Financing Options. Update the City’s development impact fees and consider other financing techniques, as appropriate, to implement the Economic Development goals and policies. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-14, LU-18, ED-7)
ED-4.4 Monitor Program and Economic Indicators. Based on the General Plan economic and fiscal studies, evaluate the City’s overall fiscal performance on a regular basis through a monitoring program that tracks key economic and fiscal indicators of performance, such as sales, hotel , and property tax revenues. (Imp A-1, A-2, A-3, LU-18, ED-6)
GOAL ED-5
Expanded Retail and Visitor -Serving Opportunities. A variety of shopping, entertainment, lodging , and visitor-oriented activities are provided that maintain a competitive edge and provide increased transient lodging and sales taxes.
P o l i c i e s
ED-5.1 Tourism and Visitor -Related Activities.
Increase the opportunities to attract tourism
related to the Ronald Reagan Presidential
Library and Museum and highway -traveling
visitors between Ventura and Los Angeles
counties through visitor -oriented economic
development, including lodging, dining,
shopping, and entertainment establishments.
(Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-18, ED-1, ED-3, ED-8)
ED-5.2 Retail Goods and Services. Maintain
competitiveness through additional retail
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-70 development that provides a wide range of retail goods and services, creates local revenue sources, supports other business sectors, and provides service and convenience benefits to local residents. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-3, LU-18, ED-1, ED-4, ED-8)
ED-5.3 Expansion of Automobile Dealerships. Explore the long -term opportunity of expanding auto dealerships to enhance their competitiveness and retail sales potential to Simi Valley. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, ED-8)
Implementation Program
Each General Plan policy is correlated with one or more implementation measure. The Economic Development Implementation Program, presented in Table ED-1 (Economic Development Implementation Program), describes the measures or actions to be taken by the City to carry out the goals and policies defined in this section.
Table ED-1 Economic Development Implementation
Program
2011
2012–2015
2016–2035
Annual
Ongoing
ED-1 Development Permit Process Assistance. The City shall provide development permit processing assistance, including: assistance with locating sites; submitting entitlement applications; providing guidance through the permit review and approval process; scheduling construction inspections; updating the City’s development impact fees and consider other financing techniques; and obtaining Certificates of Occupancy to encourage new businesses to relocate to Simi Valley, the expansion of existing businesses, and new employment opportunities.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-24.3, LU-25.3, ED-1.1, ED-1.2, ED-3.1, ED-3.2, ED-5.1, ED-5.2 ED-2 Façade Renovation Programs. The City shall provide assistance to businesses to improve the physical appearance of existing commercial businesses through the Los Angeles Avenue Façade Renovation Program and the Tapo Street Façade Renovation Program. Matching grants are available to business owners and property owners in these areas for exterior building improvements, such as painting, installation of awnings or windows, and/or new lighting and landscaping.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-8.5, LU-8.6, ED-2.1, ED-2.2
ED-3 Promotion of Tourism. The City shall encourage uses that promote tourism related to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum, and other visitor-related activities within in the CitySimi Valley, including lodging, dining, shopping, and entertainment establishments.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-29.1, ED-1.4, ED-5.1
ED-4 Shop Simi Valley First Program. The City shall continue to encourage residents to shop in Simi Valley to generate additional Citycity-derived sales taxes to fund public safety and services for the community. Implements
Which Policy(ies) ED-5.2
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E C O N O M I C DE V E L O P M E N T ( E D )
G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-71 Table ED-1 Economic Development Implementation
Program
2011
2012–2015
2016–2035
Annual
Ongoing
ED-5 Public Facilities Financing and Phasing Plan. The City shall develop a Public Facilities Financing and Phasing Plan to establish priorities for infrastructure and facilities phasing and financing through the annual budget process and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-1.5, LU-1.6, ED-4.2, M-1.6, M-2.1, M-12.10, M-14.9, PR-1.19, PR-1.20
ED-6 Fiscal Performance Monitoring and Analysis Program. The City shall establish a monitoring program to evaluate the City’s overall fiscal performance by tracking key economic and fiscal indicators, such as sales, hotel, and property tax revenues.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-1.8, ED-4.1, ED-4.4
ED-7 Economic Development Financing. Maintain and periodically update a database regarding potential sources of funding supporting the City’s economic development programs. These may encompass a range of techniques to incentivize business development, including infrastructure improvements required for new development.
These will evolve over time due to legislation and state and federal funding availability. Currently, they include such methods as developer impact fees, property owner/developer exactions, developer advances/reimbursement agreements, City’s Capital Improvement Programs (CIP), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)/Section 108 loans, Infrastructure Financing Districts (IFDs), Proposition 1C, Proposition 84, Business Improvement (BIDs), Community Facilities Districts, Special Assessment Districts, and user fees.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-1.5, LU-1.6, ED-4.3, M-1.6, M-12.10, PR-1.19~PR-1.21, S-7.8 ED-8 Business Retention and Attraction. Design and implement programs to support the retention and expansion of existing businesses and attract new businesses to Simi Valley that offer quality jobs for residents and contribute revenue support City services. This may take several forms such as financial assistance, expedited permit processing density incentives, and marketing campaigns.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-2.2~LU-2.4, LU-24.2, LU-24.3, LU-27.1, LU-31.1, ED-1.1~ED-1.5, ED-3.3, ED-5.1~ED-5.3
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-72
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES (HR)
The goals and policies in this section
address Simi Valley’s history and are
intended to recognize, protect, and
preserve the historic, archeological /
paleontological, and natural resources
that contribute to the Citycity’s historic
legacy. These resources include physical
elements that define the Citycity’s past ,
enrich the present, and give Simi Valley a
unique identity and charm. When
preserved and well maintained, these
structures, sites, featur es, and points of
interest provide a sense of permanence that fosters civic pride, stewardship, and community identity among Citycity residents and businesses. The Citycity’s diversity of resources engenders an appreciation of the City’s Simi Valley’s rich heritage by residents and visitors alike and importantly, differentiates Simi Valley as unique from all other communities.
GOAL HR-1
Historic Resources. Historically significant landmarks, sites, natural features, and structures are recognized and protected.
P o l i c i e s
HR-1.1 Historical Resources Inventory. Contribute to the maintenance of Ventura County’s recorded inventory of historical landmarks for properties, objects, structures, and monuments having importance to the history or architecture of Ventura County. Photo documentation of inventoried historic sites or structures shall be required prior to demolition. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, HR-1) HR-1.2 Preservation or ReUse of Historical Structures. Support the preservation of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, list of California Historical Landmarks, and/or the Ventura County List of Historic Landmarks. Provide incentives, such as waivers of application fees, permit fees, and/or any liens placed by the City, to properties listed in the National or State Register or the Ventura County List of Historic Landmarks in exchange for preservation easements. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, HR-1)
HR-1.3 Historical and Cultur al Landmarks Recognition. Support the placem ent of monuments, photographs, markers, signs, or plaques at areas of historical or environmental interest or value. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, HR-1)
HR-1.4 Adaptive Reuse. Support alternatives to demolition of historical sites or structures by promoting architecturally compatible rehabilitation or adaptive reuse. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, HR-1) HR-1.5 Historical Elements within New Projects. If preservation and/or adaptive re use are not feasible options, require that proposed alteration of a historical site or structure incorporates a physical link
Strathearn Park historic Simi Store
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H I S T O R I C A N D C U L T U R A L R E S O U R C E S ( H R ) G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-73 to the past within the site or structural design. For example, incorporate historical photographs or artifacts within the proposed project; or preserve the location and structures of existing pathways, gathering places, seating areas, rail lines, roadways, or viewing vantage points within the proposed site design. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, HR-1)
HR-1.6 Offer for Relocation of Designated Historic Structure. Require that prior to the demolition of a designated historic struc ture, developers offer the structure for relocation by interested parties. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, HR-1)
GOAL HR-2
Archeological and Paleontological Resources. Important archeological and paleontological resources are identified and protected within the Citycity.
HR-2.1 New Development Activities. Require that new development protect and preserve paleontological and archaeological resources from destruction , and avoid and mitigate impacts to such resources.
Through planning policies and permit conditions, ens ure the preservation of significant archeological and paleontological resources and require that the impact caused by any development be mitigated. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-1, LU-2, LU-3, LU-18, HR-1) HR-2.2 Grading and Excavation Activities. Maintain sources of information regarding paleontological and archeological sites and the names and addresses of responsible organizations and qualified individuals who can analyze, classify, record, and preserve paleontological or archeological findings.
Require a qualified paleontologist/archeologist to monitor all grading and/or excavation where there is a potential to affect cultural, archeological, or paleontological resources. If these resources are found, the applicant shall implement the recommendations of the paleontologist/archeologist, subject to the approval of the City. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-2, LU-18) HR-2.3 Cultural Organizations. Notify
cultural organizations, including
Native American organizations, of
proposed developments that have
the potential to adversely impact
cultural resources. Allow
representatives of such groups to
monitor grading and/or excavation
of development sites . (Imp A-1,
A-2, LU-2, LU-18, HR-2)
HR-2.4 Paleontological or Archaeological
Materials. Require new
development to donate
scientifically valuable paleontological or archaeological materials to a responsible public or private institution with a suitable repository, located within Simi Valley or the County of Ventura, whenever possible. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-2, LU-3, LU-18)
Santa Susana Train Station
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-74 Implementation Program
Each General Plan policy is correlated with one or more implementation measure. The Historic and Cultural Resources Implementation Program, presented in Table HR-1 (Historic and Cultural Resources Implementation Program), describes the measures or actions to be taken by the City to carry out the goals and policies defined in this section.
Table HR-1 Historic and Cultural Resources Implementation Program
2011
2012–2015
2016–2035
Annual
Ongoing
HR-1 Cultural Heritage Ordinance. The City shall continue to implement the City’s Cultural Heritage Ordinance to preserve and protect historical landmarks, historic districts, sites of merit, and points of historical interest. Implements
Which Policy(ies) HR-1.1~HR-1.6, HR-2.1
HR-2 Interagency Coordination and Partnership. Coordinate with appropriate agencies, such as the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board and Simi Valley Historical Society, regarding issues of historical significance. Implements
Which Policy(ies) HR-2.3
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E N V I R O N M E N T A L J U S T I C E (E J )
G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-75
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (EJ)
Like many communities in the United States, Simi Valley is actively seeking ways to address racial, social, economic, and environmental justice, including access to and affordability of housing opportunities.
The demographics in Simi Valley are diverse and the City strives to support inclusion of all in its programs, goals, and polices.
The following discussion is designed to contribute to progress toward racial, social, and environmental justice as part of an inclusive, community-oriented approach to addressing these issues over the long run and increasing equity for all Simi Valley residents.
KEY TERMS
BIPOC. Acronym referring to Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color.
Community Member. Any individual who resides, owns property, is a business owner, or is employed in Simi Valley.
Disadvantaged Community. An area identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) pursuant to Section 39711 of the California Health and Safety Code or a predominately low- income area that is disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation.
Environmental Justice. The fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, incomes, political and religious affiliation, and national origins with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Equality. The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Equity. Fairness or justice in the way people are treated.
Implicit Bias. Attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner, often based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, and appearance.
Resident. Any individual who resides in Simi Valley.
Social Capital. The ability for residents to feel a sense of belonging in their community and to have a meaningful connection to the place where they live.
Socially Disadvantaged Individuals and Groups. Socially disadvantaged individuals and groups who have been subjected to prejudice or some form of discrimination or bias because of their perceived identity as a member of a particular group (i.e., race, ethnicity, culture, sex, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, age, immigration status) without regard to their individuality and/or merit.
GOAL EJ-1
Equity and Inclusion . Equity, inclusion, and access to opportunities is supported for all community members, employees, businesses, visitors, and local organizations.
Simi Valley Demographics
RACIAL MAKEUP
Hispanic/Latino – 26.2%
Asian – 10.4%
Two or More Races – 5.0%
Black/African American – 1.3%
Native American – 0.41%
White – 78.5%
AGE MAKEUP
65 years and over – 14.8%
18 years and under – 21.6%
5 years and under – 5.7%
51.4% of the population in Simi
Valley is female
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-76 P o l i c i e s
EJ-1.1 Service Delivery
Direct City services to address inequities. (Imp EJ-1, EJ-2, EJ-5) EJ-1.2 Institutional Bias
Continue to build organizational and institutional skills in all City departments to advance equity, while identifying and eliminating institutional and structural inequities, and implicit bias. (Imp EJ-1, EJ-2, EJ-5, EJ-6)
EJ-1.3 Housing Affordability and Access
Encourage access to affordable housing opportunities for all community members. (Imp LU-5, LU-13, LU-16, HEU Program 3, Program 4, Program 6, Program 7, Program 8, Program 9, Program 10, Program 11, Program 13, Program 15, EJ-2)
EJ-1.4 Celebrate City Diversity
Develop and invest in arts, education, and other community programming that celebrates diversity. (Imp. EJ-1, EJ-2, EJ-5, EJ-6)
GOAL EJ-2
Land Use Decisions. Land use decisions do not adversely impact disadvantaged individuals and groups differently than the population as a whole.
P o l i c i e s
EJ-2.1 Fair Treatment and Meaningful Involvement. Provide for the fair treatment and meaningful involvement in the development and review of land use decisions and policies for all people regardless of income, religious or political affiliation, race, color, or national origin. (Imp EJ-1, EJ-2, EJ- 5)
EJ-2.2 Environmental Justice in Relation to Land Use. Evaluate and avoid, reduce, and/or mitigate potential adverse health and safety impacts associated with land use decisions and provide for the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all stakeholders regardless of income, race, color, or national origin. (Imp LU-2, LU-8, LU-9, EJ-1, EJ-2, EJ-5) EJ-2.3 Reducing Negative Impacts from Potential Hazards. Develop and implement robust project- specific mitigation measures to reduce negative impacts associated with environmental hazards, including, but not limited to, industrial operations, city infrastructure, and air, light, and noise pollution. (Imp. LU-2, LU-8, LU-9, S-1.7, S-2.3, S-3.1, S-4.4, S-4.5, S-5.10, S-7.11, S-9.2, EJ-1, EJ-2) EJ-2.4 Coordination on Siting of Utilities. Coordinate with utility providers in the siting, site layout, and design of gas and electric facilities, including changes to existing facilities, to minimize environmental, and safety impacts on existing and future residents. (Imp. LU-1, LU-2, LU-13, LU-15) GOAL EJ-3
Access. All community members have access to healthy foods, education, green spaces, and medical services
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E N V I R O N M E N T A L J U S T I C E ( E J )
G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-77 EJ-3.1 Regulations Allowing Healthy Foods. Adopt and implement land use policies, regulations, and ordinances that allow for and promote increased access to healthy food options, such as grocery stores, farmers markets, and community gardens. (Imp EJ-3) EJ-3.2 Access to Community Assets. Identify and address gaps in access to residential, commercial, recreation facilities, natural open spaces areas, and health resources, including mental and emotional health, working to make community resources are available to all residents. (Imp LU-3, EJ-3, EJ-4, EJ-3.3 Equity in Capital Projects. Promote equitable investment in citywide capital improvements. (Imp EJ-4
EJ-3.4 Non-Profit Partnerships. Collaborate with non-profit and governmental sectors to aid the homeless and access to healthcare, rental assistance and food assistance, and other poverty alleviating programs and services. (Imp EJ-3, EJ-4
EJ-3.5 Equitable Access and Distribution of Tree Canopies. Ensure equitable distribution of tree canopy, green space, and parks to increase quality of life and promote mental and emotional health, including requiring increased trees in landscape plans for new and redeveloped multi-family developments and in commercial and mixed-use developments with parking lots. (Imp EJ-4 GOAL EJ-4
Safe Housing. Safe and sanitary housing is accessible throughout the community EJ-4.1 Construction Safety Regulations and Code Enforcement. Continue to develop and adopt policies, regulations, and ordinances that reflect the up-to-date construction and safety measures for all residential structures and continue to take enforcement actions for violations of any municipal or State building and safety codes. (Imp EJ-2, EJ-4, EJ-5 EJ-4.2 Clean and Safe Drinking Water. Ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for all community members. (Imp EJ-2, EJ-4, EJ-5
GOAL EJ-5
Engagement. The public is engaged in City decision-making processes and civic life, including socially disadvantaged individuals and groups
EJ-5.1 Community Capacity-Building. Collaborate with local organizations and partners to build and strengthen historically marginalized community members’ knowledge of and capacity to participate in local planning, governmental affairs, and policy decision-making. (Imp LU-3, --- EJ-2, EJ-5, EJ-6 EJ-5.2 Leadership Development. Support leadership development programs for socially disadvantaged individuals and groups to enhance effective engagement in City processes (Imp LU-3, EJ-2, EJ-5, EJ-6).
EJ-5.3 Facilitate a Culture of Inclusion and Compassion. Work with non-profit, faith, education, and other community-based partners to facilitate a culture of inclusion, empathy, compassion, acceptance, and unity. (Imp EJ-1, EJ-2, EJ-5, EJ-6)
EJ-5.4 Transparency and Public Participation Opportunities. Facilitate transparent City decision- making processes through enhanced public outreach, engagement, and participation, including socially disadvantaged individuals and groups. (Imp EJ-2, EJ-5, EJ-6). 410
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 3-78 Implementation Program
Each General Plan policy is correlated with one or more implementation measure. The EJ Implementation Program, presented in Table EJ-1 (Environmental Justice Implementation Program), describes the measures or actions to be taken by the City to carry out the goals and policies defined in this section.
Table EJ-1 Environmental Justice Implementation Program 2011
2012–2015
2016–2035
Annual
Ongoing
EJ-1 Sensitivity and Awareness Training. Develop diversity, sensitivity, and awareness training courses and curriculum for residents, business owners, local organizations, and police officers. Training could include, but is not limited to, an informational column in the weekly newsletter or City’s social media site, links to recommended online material, lectures, and community engagement events, and formal training programs to facilitate understanding of diverse community needs.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) EJ-1.1, EJ-1.2, EJ-1.4, EJ-2.1, EJ-2.2, EJ-2.3 EJ-2 Community Interactions. Develop mechanisms to communicate and engage members of the community not typically active in civic issues to foster relationships with the City and the Simi Valley Police Department. Using technology and social media platforms, this program would focus on resources on non-enforcement interaction with the community, perhaps in partnership with local non-profit organizations and social and mental health providers.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
EJ-1.1, EJ-1.2, EJ-1.3, EJ-2.1, EJ-2.2, EJ-2.3, EJ-4.1, EJ-4.2, EJ-
5.1, EJ-5.2, EJ-5.3, EJ-5.4
EJ-3 Healthy Food Access Regulations. Conduct an internal audit of and make necessary changes if needed to City regulations, including but not limited to the Zoning OrdinanceDevelopment Code that will facilitate the removal of administrative barriers to increased access to healthy foods, including permitting processes and zoning.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) EJ-3.1, EJ 3.2, EJ-3.4
EJ-4 Tree Canopy Requirements. Develop and approve an ordinance to require the installation of increased tree canopy throughout the city, with particular attention to open parking lots, multi-use development, and multi-family development. Implements
Which Policy(ies) EJ-3.2, EJ-3.3, EJ-3.4, EJ-3.5
EJ-4 Rental Multi-Family Housing Inspection Program. Create a program to ensure that all rental, multi-family housing is inspected on a three- to five-year cycle to ensure compliance with all building, housing, and other codes for safe and sanitary housing.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) EJ-4.1, EJ-4.2
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 3-79 Table EJ-1 Environmental Justice Implementation Program 2011
2012–2015
2016–2035
Annual
Ongoing
EJ-5 Expand Outreach and Communication Materials to Enhance Transparency and Participation. Develop clear and inclusive outreach materials, expand media campaigns, and implement other strategies to engage the public in the City planning processes, including translation into languages representative of residents’ needs.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) EJ-4.1, EJ-4.2, EJ-5.1, EJ-5.2, EJ-5.3, EJ-5.4 EJ-6 Diverse Cultural and Art. Encourage participation of persons with diverse cultural .backgrounds in the Simi Valley Arts Commission and ensure that cultural offerings in the city and at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center are inclusive and diverse. Implements
Which Policy(ies) EJ-5.1, EJ-5.2, EJ-5.3, EJ-5.4
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y8-1 CHAPTER 8 Safety and Noise
EXHIBIT 4
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INTRODUCTION
The built and natural environments of Simi Valley contain a number of several hazards that require special consideration and treatment in the land use planning process. Protection from the risks of natural and man-made hazards, including crime, is essential in establishing a sense of well -being for residents and an important consideration in attracting new businesses, residents, and visitors to the City. State law requires
that the General Plan
specifically identify
areas in the community
subject to hazards and
include appropriate
actions to minimize
these hazards. Goals
and policie s in this
section are designed to
reduce hazards from
floods, seismic activity,
wildland and urban
fires, and hazardous materials, and climate change. They also, and provide facilitate effective disaster preparedness, ensure timely emergency response and evacuation, and prioritize ongoing coordination with emergency response agencies . Finally, the Noise Element ensures residents and visitors will be protected as well as protection from excessive noise.
COMMUNITY SAFETY (S)
Emergency Preparedness
All municipalities are required to prepare for natural and human -made disasters. The citySimi Valley falls under the purview of the Ventura County Emergency Operations Plan that is designed to coordinate regional response to emergency situations and resources (Ventura County 2021). It outlines the mutual aid agreements and contacts, logistics, and other important components of emergency response, including the identification of areas that may need further consideration in terms of evacuation. Ventura County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is a multi-jurisdictional effort overseen by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in coordination with over 20 Planning Partners, including the City of Simi Valley. The City’s mutual aid partners include : the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) , State of California (Master Mutual Aid agreement and Emergency Managers Mutual Aid ), Ventura County and cities in Ventura County such as Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, and others (Unified Disaster Agreement, Optional Area Agreement, California Building and Safety Mutual Aid Agreement), Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Region 1A which includes police forces from the mutual aid cities and counties (Region 1A Mutual Aid
Fire Station 44, Wood Ranch
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Operation Plan), Ven tura County La w Enforcement Agencies (Ventura County Law Enforcement Mutual Aid), California Cities and Counties (California Building and Safety Mutual Aid Agreement), Southern California Cities and Counties (Public Works Mutual Aid).
The HMP for the County of Ventura wasis developed in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and followedfollows FEMA’s 2011 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan guidance. The HMP incorporates a process where hazards are identified and profiled, the people and facilities at risk are analyzed, and mitigation actions are developed to reduce or eliminate hazard risk. The implementation of these mitigation actions, which include both short and long-term strategies, involve planning, policy changes, programs, projects, and other activities. The HMP is being updated with expected publication in 2022.
Pursuant to State law, safety elements must indicate evacuation routes that would be used in the event of an emergency.Senate Bill (SB) 99 requires all cities and counties to update the safety element, upon the next revision of the housing element on or after January 1, 2020, to include information identifying residential developments in hazard areas with fewer than two emergency evacuation routes. In Simi Valley, 22 areas have been identified as having only a single access road, as illustrated in Figure S-1. These areas pose additional logistics challenges when coordinating disaster response. The major evacuation routes in Simi Valley include SR-118 and the major arterial roads (e.g., Los Angeles Avenue, Cochran Street, Tapo StreetCanyon Road, Sequoia Avenue, First Street, Madera Road). Local disaster response will continue to be coordinated under the Simi Valley Office of Emergency Services, which develops, implements, and maintains programs to prepare Simi Valley for natural, manmade, or technological disasters. Among other measures, these include VC Alert, a high-speed emergency notification system used to deliver critical messages about local emergencies and other community news. The Office of Emergency Services also maintains thehistorically maintained the City’s Multi-hazard Functional Plan, which addresses planned responses to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies. The Emergency Operations Plan is being updated with expected publication in 2022.
The following goals and policies guide emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in Simi Valley:
GOAL S-1
Emergency Response. Effective emergency preparedness and rapid response to natural or human-induced disasters are provided that minimize the loss of life, damage to property, and disruptions in the delivery of vital public and private services during and following disaster.
P o l i c i e s
S-1.1 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and NIMS Plan. Combine planning efforts with Ventura County to Uupdate the Venturafive County Hazard Mitigation Plan and National Incident Management System Plan (MHMP/NIMS) planning documents and formally adopt and routinely iImplement the strategies in the City’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and National Incident Management System (NIMS)MHMP/NIMS Plan to prevent the replication of pre - disaster conditions. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1)
S-1.2 NIMS Compliance. Maintain compliance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Incident Management System (NIMS), which is a template for the management of 416
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incidents to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1)
S-1.3 Consistent and Current Emergency Response Plans. Develop and maintain consistent, comprehensive, and up-to-date plans and regulations, including the General Plan and the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, to prepare for and respond to disasters. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1)
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-8 S-1.4 Disaster Skills Training. Enhance the capabilities of the City’s first responders to effectively function in disasters, including the City’s Disaster Service Worker Team, Police Department, and City employees. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-21)
In Simi Valley, 27 areas have been identified as having only a single access road, as illustrated in Figure S-1.
These areas pose additional logistics challenges when coordinating disaster response. The major evacuation routes in Simi Valley include SR-118 and the major arterial roads (e.g., Los Angeles Avenue, Cochran Street, Tapo Street, Sequoia Avenue, First Street). Local disaster response will continue to be coordinated under the Simi Valley Office of Emergency Services, which develops, implements, and maintains programs to prepare Simi Valley for natural, manmade, or technological disasters. Among other measures, these include VC Alert, a high-speed emergency notification system used to deliver critical messages about local emergencies and other community news. The Office of Emergency Services also maintains the Multi-Hazard Functional Plan, which addresses planned responses to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies. The Emergency Operations Plan is being updated with expected publication in 2021.
S-1.5 Data and Information Tracking. Maintain an up -to-date Geographic Information System (GIS) database that tra cks new development and structures in hazard areas in order to to enhance the City’s capability to assess and respond to emergency incidents. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1) S-1.6 Evacuation Planning. Coordinate evacuation planning, including evacuation routes, among emergency responders including the Ventura County Fire Protection District, Sheriff’s Department, the California Highway Patrol, and law enforcement agencies in other local jurisdictions. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-5)
S-1.7 Evacuation Routes. Focus increased attention on City evacuation plans on areas where inadequate emergency response access and/or inadequate evacuation routes exist, including residential neighborhoods with a single entry/exit point as illustrated in Figure S-1, and vulnerable populations, such as senior housing facilities and schools, and others without access to a personal vehicle. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-3, S-6)
S-1.8 Evacuation Event Signal Timing. Evacuation event signal timing should be periodically reviewed and updated to provide additional evacuation capacity. Incorporate Caltrans in the City’s emergency operations center protocol to develop emergency evacuation signal timing for freeway on and off - ramps. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-3)
S-1.79 Community Information and Education. Provide community awareness information and education about potential health, natural, and human -caused hazards in Simi Valley and h ow to responsibly prepare for or mitigate them . Ensure all materials are available in Spanish and other languages as requested by community members. Increase outreach to communities in areas with single entry/exit roadways as illustrated in Figure S-1. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, IU-2, S-147) S-1.108 Identify Isolated SeniorsAt-Risk Populations. Identify isolated seniors, persons with chronic health problems, children, and others who may need assistance in natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes, or floods , and maintain a mitigation plan or plans as appropriate for various at -risk groups, including pu blic outreach, coordination of volunteer groups, and dissemination of information among partner organizations. In particular, determine if these at-risk populations exist in areas identified on Figure S -1 and inform emergency partners. ([EJ] Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, IU-2, S-157)
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-9 S-1.117 Post-Disaster Response. Plan for the continued functioning of critical facilities following a major disaster to help prevent major problems during post -disaster response, such as evacuations, rescues, large numbers of injuries, and major cleanup operations. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-3) S-1.128 Funding Programs. Pursue funding for programs related to preparedness, training, mitigation, and response for catastrophic events. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1)
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-10 GOAL S-2
Interjurisdictional Cooperation. Established agreements and coordination protocols are maintained that support cooperative training, preparation, and response activities from federal, state, and regional agencies during and after catastrophic events.
P o l i c i e s
S-2.1 Mutual Aid Agreements. Continue to participate in mutual -aid agreements to ensure adequate resources, facilities, and other support for emergency response with the existing and future mutual aid partners (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-32)
S-2.2 Intergovernmental Partnership. Maintain ongoing partnerships with federal, state, county, and local governmental agencies to identify and implement disaster mitigation actions, including information sharing. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-32)
S-2.3 Emergency and Disaster Exercises. Coordinate Invite with Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and other jurisdictions and private organizations (e.g., non -profits, faith -based groups) to conduct participate in emergency and disaster-preparedness exercises to periodically test operational and emergency plans. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-32, S-442, S-6) GOAL S-3
Public Awareness. The community is well informed regarding appropriate disaster preparation strategies and response protocols for actions before, during, and after catastrophic events.
P o l i c y
S-3.1 Educational Outreach. Sponsor and support education programs to increase awareness regarding disaster preparedness protocols and p rocedures and disaster risk reduction strategies to all segments of the community, including local officials, residents, busin esses, property owners , and others who have interests in the City. Ensure all materials and training are available in Spanish and distributed online, in public facilities, and through public service announcements. ([EJ] (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-43, S-6)
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-11 Police Services, Crime Prevention, and Protection
GOAL S-4
Police Services, Crime Prevention, and
Protection. Quality police services are provided
that protect the long-term safety and well-being
of Simi Valley residents, businesses, and visitors
from criminal activities.
P o l i c i e s
S-4.1 Response Time Standards. Achieve and
maintain appropriate response times for
all call priority levels to provide
responsive police services for the safety
of residents and visitors. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18,
S-54)
S-4.2 Staffing Standards. Maintain optimum
staffing levels for both sworn police officers and civilian support staff in order toto provide quality police services to the community. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-54) S-4.3 Cooperation with Other Agencies. Continue to work with the California Highway Patrol, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and neighboring law enforcement agencies for the provision of emergency services and to provide backup police assistance in emergency situations. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-3, S-54)
S-4.4 Community Education and Awareness. Continue to be responsive to crime trends by informing and educating the community through the Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch pPrograms and the Business Alert and Citizen Alert sSystems, and by facilitating educational programs dealing that addresswith personal safety awareness in English and Spanish. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-3, S-5,S-4S-6) S-4.5 Communication with the Community. Maintain a dialogue with the community to improve relationships and customer service, and continually explore innovative means to communicate with the public on police services, including with under-served communities with higher risk for exposure to crime. ([EJ]. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-3, S-4, S-5, S-6) S-4.6 Technology. Ensure changes and upgrades in equipment and policing activities keep pace with changing technologies. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-54)
S-4.7 Crime Prevention through Design. Support and encourage the use of defensible space concepts (site and building lightin g, visual observation of open spaces, secured areas, etc.) in the design of new development and rehabilitation projects. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-65S-5, S-7) S-4.8 Development Review. Review new development and rehabilitation projects for security matters measures as part of the development review process. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-655, S-7)
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training
and public outreach
Emergency crew working on an incident
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-12 Geologic and Seismic Hazards
Simi Valley is located in a seismically active area in proximityclose to several major regional fault systems, including the Simi -Santa Rosa fault that traverses the northern portion of the Ccity, as shown in Figure S-1 (Seismic and Geologic Hazards). The City has established a fault hazard zone that and prohibits structures on fault traces within in this zone. Hazards associated with seismic activity include the potential for liquefaction and landslides. Areas susceptible to liquefaction include those within river channels and flood plain deposits, such as the Arroyo Simi, and are generally located in the western and eastern portions of Simi Valley, as shown in Figure S-2.
Landslides are also associated with seismic activity , though there are other factors that may influence their occurrence, including. These factors include the slope, moisture content of the soil, and the composition of the soils and subsurface geology. Fortunately, most of the developed portions of the CitySimi Valley are relatively flat and not subject to landslides hazards. However, the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains to the north, and the Simi Hills and Santa Monica Mountains to the south, include landslide hazard zones. All development in these areas must have geotechnical investigations completed prior to construction and applicable building codes must be implemented to minimize potential loss of life and damage to property from primary and secondary seismic hazards . Essential structures and ser vices should be situated outside high -risk areas to enable faster response after an earthquake. Additional efforts to mitigate geologic and seismic hazards are included below.
GOAL S-5
Geologic and Seismic Hazards. Adverse effects to residents, public and private property, and essential services caused by seismic and geologic hazards are minimized.
P o l i c i e s
S-5.1 Review Safety Standards. Regularly review and enforce all seismic and geologic safety standards, including the Building Code, in site design and building construction methods. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-5, S-6S-7)
S-5.2 Building Codes. Adopt building codes that include design and construction features that provide protection for new and renovated structures in hazard areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-76) S-5.3 Geotechnical Investigations. Require geotechnical investigations for appli cable improvements to determine the potential for ground rupture, groundshaking, landslides, and liquefaction impacts due to seismic events, and to assess for expansive soils and subsidence problems. The report shall specify construction methods to protect existing and future residences and commercial properties from identified hazards. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-675)
S-5.4 Critical Facilities. Encourage the upgrade, retrofitting, and/or possible relocation of all existing critical facilities (e.g., schools, police stations, fire stations, and medical facilities) and other public facilities that do not meet current building code standards and ar e located within geologic hazard areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-765)
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-15 S-5.5 Tilt-Up Structures. Encourage the upgrade and retrofit of tilt-up structures that do not meet current building code standards and are located within geologic hazard areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-765) S-5.6 Damage Prevention and Control. Develop a comprehensive approach to reducing the possibility of damage and losses due to earthquakes. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-5, S-76) S-5.7 Data and Analysis. Develop and maintain an up -to-date database of critical City assets and periodically assess their vulnerability to geologic hazards (e.g., data on construction type, occupancy rating, seismic reinforcements, etc.). (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-7, S-17S-1921) S-5.8 Resilient Infrastructure . Require that new public utilities, communication infrastructure, and transportation facilities be located, designed, and constructed in a manner that minimizes risk and maximizes functionality during and after an earthquake and to minimize environmental and safety impacts on existing and future residents. ([EJ] Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-76, S-12S-131) S-5.98 Intergovernmental Coordination. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with federal, state, and local government agencies and special districts to promote information and resource sharing. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-432)
S-5.109 Public Education and Partnerships. Partner with other agencies and organizations to provide public education programs about potential geologic hazards in Simi Valley, and proper emergency preparation and response strategies before, during, and after geologic occurrences , , ensuring all materials are available in English andEnglish and Spanish and that public meetings accommodate persons with unique requirements (language, hearing, sited, mobilityaccess, etc.). ([EJ]. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-2, S-43, S-3, S-6)
S-5.110 Funding Programs. Pursue federal and state programs to provide training, education, and mitigation activities for protection against seismic activity. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-12) Fire Services
Fire is a natural occurrence and is influenced by a number of several factors including fuel sources, topography, and weather. While no part of Simi Valley is located within a Fire Hazard area, the potential for fire is a problem in the urban fringe and hillside areas that surround the valley floor, as shown in Figure S-2 (Fi re Hazard). Goals and policies in this section provide for coordinated fire prevention, protection, and emergency medical services that serve all areas of Simi Valley in support of residents and businesses for urban or wildland fires.
GOAL S-6
Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Coordinated fire protection and emergency medical services are provided that support the needs of to ensure residents and businesses are prepared for health, natural, and human -caused hazards and can respond quickly and effectively toand maintain a safe and healthy community.
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-16 P o l i c i e s
S-6.1 Ventura County Fire Protection District, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency, and Simi Valley Hospital Coordination. Continue to work with and support the Ventura County Fire Protection District, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency, and Simi Valley Hospital with regard toabout planning, communicating, and providing adequate personnel, equipment, facility, and infrastructure needs to maintain a
high level of fire and emergency
response services within the CitySimi
Valley. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-2, S-3,
S-87)S-6.2S-4, S-9)
S-6.2 Emergency Response. Periodically
evaluate emergency response to
Citywide disasters to determine if
service improvements are needed.
(Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-2, S-32)
S-6.3 Personnel Training . City shall
coordinate with regional and State
agencies to ensure adequate and
ongoing training on latest best
practices for emergency response. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-2, S-5, S-879, S-2) S-6.43 Adequate Infrastructure. Continue to assess the water pressure for fire suppression and evaluate and implement feasible solutions. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, IU-2, S-787) S-6.5 Water Supply. Continue to work with Ventura County Waterworks District 8 to update the Urban Water Management Plan for Simi Valley to assess and ensure long-term integrity of water supply to the city for fire suppression. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, IU-2, S-8) Urban and Wildland Fire Hazards
Fire is a natural occurrence and is influenced by fuel sources, topography, and weather. Wildfires that burn exclusively in uninhabited natural areas generally pose a low risk to life or property, although smoke from these fires can cause respiratory problems for people living nearby. Fires that occur along the wildland-urban interface are more hazardous for people and property as they can spread into urbanized areas. As recent wildfire occurrences attest, Ventura County and Simi Valley have a high risk for exposure to wildfire hazards.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), areas along SR-118 and the edges ofsurrounding Simi Valley in all directions are within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (CAL FIRE 2021). As illustrated in Figure S-23 (Fire Hazard), the greatest potential for fire occurs at the urban fringe and in the hillside areas that surround the valley floor . The area s along Simi Valley’s western boundary with Moorpark and its southern boundary with Thousand Oaks are also mapped as within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (Figure S-23, Fire Hazards). Development in these areas includes commercial and light industrial uses along the SR 118 corridor with residential development closer to the open space areas. This figure further depicts critical facilities like fire stations, police stations, and other structures, in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Controlled burn
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-17 Simi Valley is also considered a “Community at Risk” based on data from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and populated areas in the city have, on average, greater risk of being affected by wildfire than 64 percent of communities in California (USFS 2021). Furthermore, the risk is considered highest at the urban edges, wherewhich they abut natural open spaces (wildland/urban interface ). ), but) but deDeveloped areas along and near SR 118 and closer to the city boundaries with Moorpark and Thousand Oaks are at average to above average risk for wildfire. Recent wildfires near Simi Valley are listed in Table S -1, Historic Wildfires near Simi Valley, which also indicates their proximity to the city.
Table S-1 Historic Wildfires Near Simi Valley
Wildfire Date Distance from Simi Valley
Thomas Fire
A 281,983-acre fire that burned through northern Ventura County and Santa Barbara County, destroying 1.063 structures and resulting in mudslides the following winter. Considered one of the top 20 most destructive fires in the state.
December 2017 27.1 miles northeast to 33 miles
northwest
Guiberson Fire
A 17,500-acre wildfire that burned in Guiberson County in the western Santa Susana Mountains between Fillmore and Moorpark in Ventura County.
September 2009 18 miles northwest
Woolsey Fire
A 96,949-acre fire that destroyed 1,643 structures and prompted the evacuation of over 295,000 people. The fire ignited in an industrial complex in the Santa Susan Mountains above Simi Valley.
November 2018 11.8 miles southeast
Simi Fire
A 108,204-acre fire burned in the Simi Hills and southeastern Simi Valley, destroying 37 residences and 278 outbuildings. This fire began as a spot fire but quickly spread toward the city due to Santa Ana wind conditions, threatening and destroying structures in the eastern area of Simi Valley.
October 2003 Directly adjacent to
and wWithin the city
Painted Cave Fire
A 5,000-acre wildfire in the Santa Ynez Mountains that burned into the city of Santa Barbara. This arson fire was started at the intersection of San Marcos Pass Road and Painted Cave Road that destroyed 427 buildings and resulted in two deaths.
June 1990 69 miles northwest
Matilija Fire
A 220,000-acre fire that occurred in 1932 but did not burn any structures. This fire occurred in the part of Los Padres National Forest that occurs in Ventura County.
Autumn 1932 50 miles northwest
Source: CALFIRE 2021
UtilitiesUtilitycUtility ompaniescompanies in California have begun to address their contributions to wildfire risk by reducing vegetation near vulnerable powerlines, evaluating old infrastructure, and implementing Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). These shutoffsPSPSs are conducted by local energy providers such as Southern California Edison when dry, hot weather combineds with strong, erratic wind patterns, including Santa Ana wind conditions, leads to produce a high probability of downed power lines inducingthat can 429
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-18 induce devastating fires. The power shutoffsPSPSs are an attempt to minimize fires caused by downed power lines and equipment in communities across southern California.
Through AB 2140 (2006), the State encourages jurisdictions to coordinate with community fire protection planning and implementation efforts and through this offers access to additional fire hazard relief aid by means of grants. The Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council collaborates with nonprofits, government, academic and business partners toward prevention, recovery, and resilience efforts.
Goals and policies in this section provide for coordinated fire prevention, protection, and emergency medical services, including evacuation plans, that serve all areas of Simi Valley in support of residents and businesses for urban or wildland fires.
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-21 GOAL S-7
Fire Protection. People and property in Simi Valley are protected from urban and wild fireswildfires.
P o l i c i e s
S-7.1 Intergovernmental Coordination. Cooperate with the Ventura County Fire Protection District in adopting applicable aspects of its Strategic Fire Plan and periodically evaluating services and service criteria to ensure that Simi Valley continues to receive adequate fire protection, prevention services, and information-sharing protocols. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-32, S-87S-4, S-9) S-7.2 New Residential Development in Fire Hazard Areas. When feasible, avoid development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. When not avoidable, r equire new residential development, including additions to existing structures, in or adjacent to fire hazard areas to minimize hazards to life and property by using fire preventive site design and building materials, offering adequate access and egress, using fire-safe landscaping materials, and incorporating defensible space and other fire suppression techniques. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-12, S-65, S-87S-9) S-7.1 Intergovernmental Coordination. Cooperate with the Ventura County Fire Protection District in periodically evaluating services and service criteria to ensure that the City continues to receive adequate fire protection, prevention services, and information -sharing protocols. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU-18, S-2, S-7)
S-7.32 Fire Department Review. Continue review by the Ventura County Fire Protection District of all proposed new and redeveloped structures and developments and non-conforming uses within in the community to mitigate potential wildland fire loss and damage in alignment with current version of the Ventura County Fire Protection District Strategic Plan. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-2, S-765, S- 7, S-879)
S-7.4 New Public Facilities in Fire Hazard Areas . Situate new public facilities away from very high fire hazard zones and high fire risk areas, in alignment with the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (Imp S- 7, S-9).
S-7.54 Emergency Facilities. Require new development and subdivisions to include appropriate emergency facilities and infrastructure to assist and support wildfire suppression. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-2, S-5, S-6, S-7, S-8)S-3, S-7, S-8, S-11)
S-7.65 Emergency Evacuation Routes. RequireEnsure existing and new development throughout the city, including in wildland/urban interface areas , to have adequate access to existing and future evacuation routes, and provide maps of these routes to the public. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-12, S-65S- 7, S-9, S-1071)
S-7.76 Fire Hazard Preparedness. Minimize exposure to fire hazards through proactive code enforcement, public education programs in coordination with the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council , use of modern fire prevention measures, quick and safe access for emergency equipment and evacuation, and emergency management preparation. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-2, S-22, S-5, S-6, S-7, S-11-8), S-107)
S-7.873 Fire Inspection. Work with the Ventura County Fire Protection District to ensure an ongoing fire inspection program to reduce fire hazards associated with critical facilities, public assembly facilities, industrial buildings, and nonresidential buildings. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-2,S-7, S-987) 433
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-22 S-7.984 Fire Protection Systems. Encourage existing commercial and multiple-unit residential uses to install fire protection systems, as required by the Sstate, building, and fire codes for new development, and encourage the use installation and use of automatic sprinkler systems in existing structures. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-76)
S-7.1095 Fuel Modification. Ensure that existing and new development complies with fuel modification requirements of the Ventura County Fire Protection District, as applicab le, withand require fuel mitigation plans and education programs in coordination with the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council required for any development adjacent to open space or wildland areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-659, S-10)
S-7.11 Fuel Modification Maintenance. Develop a fuel modification program in alignment with the Ventura County Fire Protection Di strict Strategic Plan that includes maintenance of a fire break between open space areas within the city limits and sphere of influence and the developed areas of the city. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-10)
S-7.111206 Post-Fire Debris Flow. Develop and implement a comprehensive approach to mitigate damage and loss due to post-fire debris flow. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-98, S-10) S-7.121317 Public Education. Promote public education of residents regarding site design, landscaping, location of materials, and brush landscaping and/or clearance in wildland/urban interface areas to prevent and reduce fire hazards, ensuring educational materials and public meetings include English and Spanish language materials and sign language translators in coordination with the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council. ([EJ] Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-3, S-643) S-7.13142 Emergency Evacuation Information. Develop and disseminate broadly public information regarding evacuation routes, fire safety, and low risk fire safety areas and/or emergency shelters. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-2, S-45, S-871)
S-7.141538 Funding. Ensure that new developments pay a pro-rata share for increased fire protection as necessitated by their construction. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-14, LU-18, ED-8, S-15) Flood Hazards
The City of Simi Valley is located withinin the Calleguas Creek Watershed in southeastern Ventura County , which ultimately drains to the Pacific Ocean. This watershed includes the Arroyo Simi and its tributaries, which expose developed areas on the valley floor to flooding as shown in Figure S-34 (Flood Hazards). The control measures that have been put in place by the City to mitigate potential damage and destruction from flooding include the following.
GOAL S-8
Flood Hazard Protection. Residents, workers, and visitors are protected from flood hazards.
P o l i c i e s
S-8.1 Floodplain Requirements. Regulate new development and protect existing development within flood prone areas in accordance with City, Sstate, and federal building codes. Follow federal 434
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-23 requirements to reduce damage and loss due to flooding and to maintain the City’s eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-765, S-876, S-12S-1319) S-8.2 Flood Insurance. Request assistance from Sstate and federal governmentsagencies, as necessary, to enable the City to maintain compliance with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-432, S-12S-1319)
S-8.3 Flood Prevention Design. Require t hat new development incorporate sufficient measures to mitigate flood hazards, including the design of on-site drainage systems linking with Citywide storm drainage, gradation of the site so that runoff does not impact adjacent properties or structures on the site, and elevation of any structures above the localized flooding elevation. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-76, S-7, S-12S-13, S-14)
S-8.4 Critical Facilities. Prohibit the location of critical facilities in areas subject to significant inundation during any flood event unless the facility can be adequately protected from inundation and provide for updating of critical facilities in these areas when practical. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-87, S-12S-13, S-14)
S-8.5 Facility Use or Storage of Hazardous Materials. Require that all facilities storing, using, or otherwise involved with substantial quantities of on-site hazardous materials within flood zones comply with applicable standards of elevation, anchoring, and flood p roofing, and that hazardous materials be stored in watertight containers. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-76, S-8, S-12S-13) S-8.6 New Development. Ensure that new development is properly located and designed to avoid the effects of flooding and require upgrades and improvements of the existing storm drain system for on-site retention to handle the increased runoff generated from the development site. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-7S-8, S-12S-13)
S-8.7 Preservation of Flood Plains. Require preservation of flood plains as open space, when practical, as the preferred alternative to development or channelization in project environmental impact reports. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-8, LU-18, S-76, S-8,S-11 S-12S-13)
S-8.8 Dam Failure Warning Plan. Maintain the City’s Dam Failure Response Plan to alert affected residents, businesses, and government agencies in potential hazard areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-8, 2S-131)
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Figure S-3 Flood Hazards
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-26
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-28 Climate Change
According to modeled projections, provided by the State of California’s Cal -Adapt Tool, Simi Valley should anticipate an increase in heat -related hazard risks due to climate change. Average maximum and minimum temperatures are predicted to increase 3 degr ees Fahrenheit (°F) to 5°F by mid-century. The number of days in the which the temperature exceeds 97.2°F will increase on average from three days per year to 13 to 17 days per year by mid -century. Under this context, the air and land in Simi Valley will become drier, and the probability will increase for life-threatening extreme heat events to occur.
Average annual precipitation is not predicted to change substantially through the end of the century. There is significant uncertainty in the variability of precipitation, but according to Cal-Adapt, it is likely that precipitation will be delivered in more intense storms and within a shorter season. “Exceptional Droughts” (those classified as D4 by the National Drought Mitigation Center) have happened most recently in 2016 and 2021). An increase in the variability of precipitation will likely lead to a greater number of impactful drought events in the future which will have an impact on vegetation in the city in its built and natural environment.
Numerous wildfires have occurred in Ventura County over the past 50 years. Future projections using statistical models indicate that wildfire risk to Simi Valley will increase by mid-century compared to current risk. Wildfires in the region are influenced by many factors: a dry and warm Mediterranean climate with periodic episodes of Santa Ana winds and droughts, the type and spatial distribution of vegetation (along with dead/ dry vegetation caused by pests), varying topography, large urban -wildland interfaces, past fire suppression attempts, and human activities. Across southern California, the overall anticipated burned area is projected to increase over 60 percent for Santa Ana Wind-based fires and over 75 percent for non-Santa Ana Wind-based fires.
More information on the communi ty’s vulnerability to climate change is provided in Appendix BX [City to provide #].
GOAL S-9
Emergency Preparedness Methods. The City’s emergency management tools effectively prepare for anticipated climate change risks and include measures to assist the most climate vulnerable group s in the community, including renters, seniors, individuals with disabilities, youth, and outdoor workers.
P o l i c i e s
S-9.1 Identify Heat-Vulnerable Populations. Establish partnerships between emergency responders and Ventura County Department of Public Health to identify and establish protocols for reaching vulnerable populations in need of access to cooling centers or personal cooling resources. (Imp S-4, S-1314)
S-9.2 Heat Emergency Contingency Planning. C oordinate with Ventura County Department of Public Health to establish and map cooling centers in locations accessible to vulnerable populations and establish standardized temperature triggers for when they will be opened. (Imp S-1, S-4, S-7, S-13S- 14)
S-9.31 Air Quality Emergency Preparation. Partner with the Ventura County Health Department to develop and enhance disaster and emergency early warning systems to incorporate objective data and 440
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-29 information for potential health threats such as heat -illness, and illnesses complicated by low air quality. (Imp S-1, S-4, S-7, S-13S-14)
S-9.41 Evacuation Procedures for Mobility -limited Individual s. C oordinate with the Simi Valley Police Department and Ventura County Fire Department to establish clear evacuation procedures for individuals with limited mobility. (Imp S-1, S-3, S-4, S-5) GOAL S-10
Land Management Practices. The City implements land management practices to anticipate wildfire and extreme heat risks and to effectively maintain a healthy ecosystem in public open spaces, parks, rights-of-way, and public facilities to reduce wildfire risk and the effects of extreme heat, while maintaining Simi Valley’s natural aesthetic.
P o l i c i e s
S-10.1 Heat Mitigation in Recreational Areas . Incorporate shading and usability of resources on hot days when designing or improving trails, parks, and recreation areas.
S-10.2 Maintain Natural Spaces . Protect large, continuous greenspaces wherever possible for greater cooling magnitude and extent. Include a mix of drought tolerant vegetation in developed parks to provide the greatest cooling benefits.
S-10.3 Drought-Tolerant Green Infrastructure . Promote and expand the use of drought -tolerant green infrastructure, including street trees, and landscaped areas, as part of cooling strategies in public and private spaces. (Imp S-14)
S-10.4 Climate Factors in Conservation Planning . Incorporate climate change projections in future conservation plans and land use plans, including research and monitoring plans. (Imp S-7, S-13S-14, S-14)
GOAL S-11
Local Infrastructure, Facilities, and Structures . The built environment is adapted to a warmer and drier climate with increased fire risk, particularly in the wildland -urban interface , including public infrastructure, facilities, and structures and private development, to effectively prepare for anticipated climate risks.
P o l i c i e s
S-11.1 Structural Hardening . Encourage homeowners, vendors, and contractors to harden structures against wildfire risk, particularly in the wildland-urban interface, through the use of strategies for new construction, retrofitting existing structures, and maintenance (e.g., cleaning leaves, avoid storing flammable materials below decks). (Imp S-14)
S-11.2 Home Weatherization . Encourage w eatherized homes that employ a holistic "healthy homes” model to address severe weather protection, energy efficiency, indoor air improvements, and other housing improvements. (Imp S-14)
S-11.3 Backup Power at Emergency Centers. Establish backup power and water resources at emergency centers, resilience hubs, and cooling centers in case of power outages. (Imp S-14) 441
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-30 S-11.4 Energy Efficiency Improvements in Public Facilities . Implement weatherization upgrades to community facilities that include energy efficiency and indoor air standards. (Imp S-14) S-11.5 Heat Mitigation for Transit Facilities. Coordinate with regional transit providers to increase shading and heat-mitigating materials on pedestrian walkways and transit stops (Imp S-14) S-11.6 Hardening Above -Ground Power Lines . Work cooperatively with utilities to harden vulnerable overhead power lines against winds. (Imp S-14)
S-11.7 Climate Change Factors in Capital Planning . Incorporate consideration of climate change impacts as part of infrastructure planning and operation. Identify capital improvement programs that should consider climate adaptation
priorities. (Imp S-7, S-13S-14, S-154)
S-11.8 Climate Change Factors in
Transportation Corridors . Support
prioritization of shading, drinking
water, and permeable paving on
multi-use transportation corridors
based on urban heat island
mapping and analysis. (Imp S-7, S -
13, S-14)
Hazardou s Materials
The use, manufacture, production, transportation, storage, treatment, disposal, and clean-up of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes presents a potential threat to the health and safety of those who use the materials and those who could be affected by improper or accidental release or disposal. Hazardous materials include all toxic, flammable, combustible, corrosive, poisonous, and radioactive substances with the potential to cause harm to the public or the environment. Common sources include soil and groundwater contamination from industrial and commercial activities, chemical contamination from industrial processors (e.g., dry cleaners), and air emissions from industrial land uses.
GOAL S-129
Hazardous Materials. Residents, visitors, property, and the natural environment in Simi Valle y are protected to the maximum extent feasible byby the safe and regulated use, storage, and/or transport of hazardous materials.
P o l i c i e s
S-912.1 Interjurisdictional Coordination. Continue to carry out inspections, emergency response, and enforcement of hazardous materials and waste compliance procedures for Simi Valley. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-2, S-3, S-12015, S-16)
S-912.2 Educate Residents/Businesses. Educate residents and businesses regarding methods to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous materials, including the disposal of household hazardous materials, including medications, batteries, e -waste, biomedical waste, etc., and the use of safer nontoxic equivalents. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-64, S-123)
Hazardous materials transport
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-31 S-1299.3 Emergency Response. Maintain and enhance the City’s first responders’ ability to safely and effectively respond to hazardous materials incidents and releases respond to hazardous materials incidents and releases safely and effectively. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-1, S-5, S-127) S-912.4 Hazardous Materials Regulation. Work with relevant agencies regarding enforcement of applicable laws requiring all users, producers, disposers, and transporters of hazardous materials and wastes to clearly identify the materials that they store, use, produce, dispose, or transport, and to notify the appropriate City, Ccounty, Sstate, and federal agencies in the event of a violation. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-3, S-1252)
S-912.5 Known Areas of Contamination. Require proponents of projects in known areas of contamination from oil operations or other uses to perform comprehensive soil and groundwater contamination assessments, in accordance with applicable standards. If contamination exceeds regulatory action levels, require the proponent to undertake remediation procedures prior to grading and development through a cleanup program under the supervision of the Ventura County Environmental Health Division, Department of Toxic Substances Control, or Regional Water Quality Control Board (depending upon the nature of any identified contamination). (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-35, S-87, S-15S-1626)
S-912.6 Siting of Sensitive Uses. Develop and implement strict land use controls, performance standards, and structure design standards for uses that generate, use, or store hazardous materials, including development setbacks from sensitive uses such as residential homes, schools, hospitals, daycare and eldercare facilities, high density population facilities (such as movie theaters, auditoriums, museums), and other sensitive uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, , S-6, S-7, S-8, S-15S-1626) S-912.7 Phase I Site Assessment. Require Phase I site assessments for new development proposed on land that may be contaminated with hazardous materials or waste, including commercial sh opping centers where residential development is allowed. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-76, S-15S-162, S-1636) S-912.87 Hazardous Waste Collection. Conduct frequent and convenient household hazardous waste collection events. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, S-3, S-15S-1620) S-912.9 Water Supply and Air Protection. Work with public agencies and private organizations to prevent the introduction and spread of hazardous materials in the air and the water supply. ([EJ] Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18), S-2, S-35, S-7, S-12)
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-32 Implementation Program
Each General Plan policy is correlated with one or more implementation measure. The Safety Implementation Program, presented in Table S-21 (Safety Implementation Program), describes the measures or actions to be taken by the City to carry out the goals and policies defined in this section.
Table S-21 Safety Implementation Program
20112022
2012–
20152021-
20222022-
2023 20162022–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
S-1 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The City shall formally adopt and continue to participate in the update to the Ventura County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
Once adopted, the City shall implement the City/County Multi-Hazard Mitigation PlanHMP and maintain compliance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Incident Management System (NIMS) to prevent and address disasters. The City shall update the MHMP to incorporate by reference the Ventura County Fire Protection District Strategic Plan, community Wildfire Protection Plan, and other wildfire planning documents that communicate the overall regional collaborative effort to reduce the risk of wildfire, including identification of local stakeholders, evaluate assets at risk, and identify priority fuel treatment. This The City shall include maintaining consistency between the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and the City’s General Plan; providing disaster skills training annually to refresh key staff on processes and procedures for streamlined, coordinated implementation; tracking new development in hazard areas; coordinating evacuation planning; planning for post-disaster response; and pursuing funding.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
S-1.1~S-1.1208, S-6.2, S-7.32, S-7.75, S-7.10~S.7.13, S-7.1415, S-
8.8, S-9.2~ S-9.43, S-12.3S-7.4
S-2 Personnel Training. The City shall coordinate with County and State agencies to ensure new and existing staff receive training on the most up-to-date practices for fire prevention and suppression, including in extreme wildfire conditions. Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-8.1, S-8.2, S-8.8S-1.4, S-6.1~S-6.3, S-7.3, S-7.7 S-3 Emergency Access and Evacuation Routes. The City shall identify evacuation routes and their capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency scenarios to provide adequate access for emergency response vehicles and personnel, and residents and workers. Once assessed, the City shall create a plan to mitigate shortfalls that includes public outreach..
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
S-1.7, S-1.8, S-1.11 S-2.3, S-3.1, S-4.4, S-4.5, S-5.10, S-6.2, S-7.5, S-7.121, S-9.4, S-12.42
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-33 Table S-21 Safety Implementation Program
20112022
2012–
20152021-
20222022-
2023 20162022–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
S-432 Interagency Coordination and Partnership. The City shall coordinate with appropriate agencies, such as federal, state, and local governmental agencies; Ventura County and Los Angeles County; California Highway Patrol; Ventura County Sheriff’s Department; Ventura County Fire Protection District; Ventura County Environmental Health Division; Department of Toxic Substances Control; and the Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding issues addressing mutual aid agreements and, disaster mitigation actions. The City shall also partner with the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council on action, education, and resiliency planning for Simi Valley. This shall include preparing a list and updating annually to identify cooperative agencies and non-government partners, along with contact information and general responsibilities. Partnership shall , includinge information sharing, and emergency and disaster exercises; provision ofproviding emergency services and backup police assistance; designing and delivering public education programs about potential geologic and wildfire hazards in the community, proper emergency preparation, and response strategies; pursuing funding for training, education, and mitigation activities for protection against seismic and wildfire activities; maintaining a high level of fire and emergency services within the Cityin Simi Valley; provision ofproviding a fire inspection program to reduce fire hazards, including from wildfire; compliance complying with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements; conducting inspections, providing emergency response, and enforcement ofenforcing hazardous materials and waste compliance procedures; and enforcing enforcement of hazardous materials regulations.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
S-2.1~S-2.33, S-4.3, S-4.55.8~S-5.10, S-5.9, S-6.1, S-7.1 S-6.2, S-8.27.1~S-7.3, S-8.2, S-9.1~, S-9.4, S-7.10~S.7-13, S-9.5, S-9.8, S-9.9
S-5445 Police Services. The City shall continue to provide quality police services for the community including achieving and maintaining appropriate response times; maintaining appropriate staffing levels; providing community education regarding personal safety awareness; communicating with the community; evaluating emergency response to citywide disasters to determine if service improvements are needed; upgrading equipment with regard to changing technologies; and responding to hazardous materials incidents and releases.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-1.4, S-1.68, S-4.11~S-4.S-4.86, S-9.436 S-65 Public Education Programs. The City shall continue to provide public education programs to increase awareness of disaster preparedness protocols, procedures, and risk reduction strategies for the community; crime trends and personal safety awareness; potential geologic hazards, proper emergency preparation, and response strategies; fire hazard prevention and reduction strategies, including site design, landscaping, location of materials, and brush landscaping; wildfire and other hazardous event evacuation procedures; and methods to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous materials, including the disposal of hazardous materials.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
S-1.7, S-2.3, S-3.1, S-4.4, S-4.5, S-5.10, S-7.7, S-7.12, S-7.12131, S-129.2
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-34 Table S-21 Safety Implementation Program
20112022
2012–
20152021-
20222022-
2023 20162022–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
S-765 Development Review Process. The City shall continue to regulate development for compliance with General Plan goals, policies, land uses, and development standards through the Development Review Process to ensure the following:
support and encourage the use of defensible space concepts requirements as stipulated in the Ventura County Fire Protection District Strategic Plan in the design of new development and rehabilitation projects; include crime prevention review of new development and rehabilitation projects; review and enforce all seismic and geologic safety standards; adopt building codes that provide protection for new and renovated structures in hazard areas; require geotechnical investigations be submitted; encourage the upgrade, retrofitting, and/or relocation of critical facilities located in Very High Fire Hazard Protection Zones (See Figure S-2) and geologic hazard areas; encourage the upgrade and retrofit of tilt-up structures located in geologic hazard areas; reduce the possibility of damages and losses due to earthquakes; continue review of projects by Ventura County Fire Protection District to mitigate potential wildland fire losses and damages, including in new and redeveloped projects, where non-conforming uses are in place, and for roadways adjacent to and within new development; ensure that fuel modification requirements are addressed; and ensure that new developments pay a pro-rata share for increase fire protection. The City shall ensure that new public facilities undergo similar design review, including site selection that places any new public facilities outside of Very High Fire Hazard Protection Zones (See Figure S-2).
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
S-4.7, S-4.8, S-5.1, S-5.3~S-5.86, S-6.4, S-7.32, S-7.4, S-7.5, S-7.6, S-7.8~, S-7.9, S-8.1, S-8.3, S-8.56, S-8.7, S-9.2, S-9.3, S-10.4, S-
11.7, S-11.8, S-129.6, S-129.75
S-876 Simi Valley Municipal Code. The City shall review and update the Development Code to establish requirements for new development proposals, as follows: adopt building codes that provide protection for new and renovated structures in hazard areas, including Very High Fire Hazard Zones (See Figure S-2); require installation of fire protection systems in new commercial and multiple-unit residential development projects; require that new development incorporates sufficient measures to mitigate wildfire and flood hazards; amend SVMC Development Code (Section 9-30.030(c) and Section 9-72.020) to adopt the vegetation management hazard mitigation in the Ventura County Fire Protection District Strategic Plan as applicable to new, redeveloped, and non-conforming development; prohibit location of critical facilities within areas mapped as Very High Fire Hazard Zones or those subject to inundation during any flood event unless it the areas can be protected; provide for updating of critical facilities in flood hazard areas; require that facilities storing or using hazardous materials within flood zones comply with storage requirements; ensure that new development is located outside of flood hazard areas; require upgrades and improvements to storm drain systems for on-site retention; require preservation of flood plains as open space, when practical; require soil and groundwater contamination assessments in known areas of contamination; develop and implement land use controls and standards for uses that generate, use, or store hazardous materials. The City shall also update the Municipal Code to reflect current CAL FIRE wildfire hazard severity zone mapping.
Implements
Which Policy(ies)
LU-19.6, S-5.1, S-5.2, S-5.6, S-7.4, , S-7.5, S-8.1, S-8.43~S-8.865, S-8.7, S-129.5, S-129.6, S-9.9
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-35 Table S-21 Safety Implementation Program
20112022
2012–
20152021-
20222022-
2023 20162022–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
S-987 Fire Protection Services. The City shall continue to contract for quality fire protection services with the Ventura County Fire Protection District, including prevention services, information sharing, and fire inspection services; evaluate emergency response to Citywide disasters to determine if service improvements are needed; and assess the water pressure for fire suppression.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-6.1, S-6.3, S-7.1.1~, S-7.42, S-7.6, S-7.7,~ S-7.8. S-7.10129.3 S-1098 Post-Fire Debris Flow. The City shall develop and implement a comprehensive approach to mitigate damage and loss due to post-fire debris flow. Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-7.111206
S-110 Fire Hazard Protection. The City shall continue to ensure the community is protected from fire hazards through the following: develop and disseminate a comprehensive fire protection and evacuation plan for the public that includes emergency warning system enrollment outreach, information about evacuation routes, safe areas, and shelters, and other educational materials..
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-8.1, S-8.2, S-8.8S-7.5~, S-7.76
S-12 Fuel Modification. The City shall implement a fuel modification program that includes maintenance requirements, particularly of the fire break between open space and developed areas, plan submittal, and approval process and enforcement.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-7.5~ S-7.7
S-121319 Flood Hazard Protection. The City shall continue to ensure the community is protected from flood hazards through the following: regulate new development and protect existing development within flood prone areas; maintain the City’s eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); and maintain the City’s Dam Failure Response Plan to alert the community located in potential hazard areas.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-5.8, S-8.1, S-8.2, S-8.7,~ S-8.8
S-1432 Climate Change Protection. The City shall continue to ensure the community is protected from the effects of climate change by incorporating the climate change policies into its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, Emergency Operations Plan, and other relevant planning documents.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-9.1~S-9.3, S-10.4, S-11.7, S-11.8
S-1543 Building Code Amendment for Climate Stressors. The City shall amend the local building code to account for additional climate change-induced stressors on buildings, such as including flood proofing for intermittent inundation, building materials to reduce the impacts of high heat days, and fireproofing in preparation for increased wildfire risk.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-8.3, S-8.4, S-10.3, S-10.4, S-11.1~S-11.8 447
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-36 Table S-21 Safety Implementation Program
20112022
2012–
20152021-
20222022-
2023 20162022–
2035
Annual
Ongoing
S-121401516 Hazardous Materials. The City shallThe City shall continue to provide inspections, emergency response, and enforcement of hazardous materials and waste compliance procedures in the community. The City shall continue to work with relevant agencies regarding enforcement of hazardous materials regulations and continue to conduct household hazardous waste collection events.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-129.1, S-12.4~S-12.89.97
S-161713151 Phase I ESA for New Development. The City shall update the zoning code to require a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment on sites that have had commercial or industrial zoning and have been rezoned to include mixed-use development. The City shall update the development permitting process to include Phase I ESAs on sites where zoning designations have changed to include residential development as part of a mixed use..
Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-129.1, S-129.7
S-141611718 City Asset Database. The City shall develop and maintain a database of critical City assets and periodically assess their vulnerability to geologic hazards. Implements
Which Policy(ies) S-5.7
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-39 NOISE
The urban environment contains a variety of noise sources that can affect the way people live and work. Some types of noise are only short -term irritants, like the pounding of a jackhammer or the whirring rattle of a lawnmower. Generally, these noise sources can be controlled through City noise regulations, such as a noise ordinance. However, other noises, such as freeway noise, may be permanent fixtures in the community. The information provided herein identifies noise sources, noise sensitive land uses, a nd noise compatibility standards. The goals and policies in this section of the General Plan are designed to include noise control in the planning process in order toto maintain compatible land uses with acceptable environmental noise levels to protect Simi Valley residents from excessive noise.
Community Noise Contours
As with most urban and suburban environments, the primary noise sources in Simi Valley are mobile sources such as vehicle traffic, train pass -bys, and other transportation -related noises. A typical noise environment consists of a base of steady ambient noise that is the sum of many distant and indistinguishable noise sources.
Imposed on this background noise is the sound from individual local sources. These can vary from an occasional train passing to virtually continuous noise from traffic on a major highway.
Several quantitative indicators are commonly used to gauge the likelihood that environmental noise would have an adverse effect on a community. These indicators consider that the most di sruptive aspects of noise are strongly associated with the average acoustical energy content of the sound over the time it occurs and/or with the time of day when the sound occurs. The indicators used in this General Plan are defined as follows:
■ Leq, the equivalent energy noise level, is the average acoustic energy content of noise for a stated period of time. Thus, the Leq of a time-varying noise and that of a steady noise are the same if they deliver the same acoustic energy to the ear during exposure. Fo r evaluating community impacts, this indicator is not affected by whether the noise occurs during the day or the night. ■ CNEL, the Community Noise Equivalent Level, is a 24-hour average Leq with a 10 dBA “weight” added to noise during the hours of 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, and a 5 dBA “weight” added during the hours of 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM to account for increased noise sensitivity in the evening and nighttime.
Railway through Simi Valley SR-118 Freeway through Simi Valley 451
690
N O I S E ( N )
C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-40 In general, there are three distinct noise sources in the community: the Ronald Reagan Freeway (State Route
118), major and minor arterial roads, and the Union
Pacific Railroad lines that provide freight and passenger rail service, in addition to various stationary sources such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units.
Noise contours for the major noise sources in Simi Valley were developed for existing conditions and future
conditions. Existing noise contours were determined from 2006 traffic data and are expressed in terms of the CNEL as shown in Figure N-1 (Existing Noise Contours). Future noise conditions for roadways are presented for the 2030 time period derived from projected traffic levels f or that year to reflect anticipated buildout of the General Plan and are shown in Figure N-2 (Future Noise Contours).
Noise contours represent lines of equal noise exposure, just as the contour lines on a topographic map are lines of equal elevation. The contours shown on the maps are the 60, 65, and 70 dB CNEL noise levels.
The noise contours represent the maximum possible
traffic noise levels at locations within them (i.e., they do not account for building placement or traffic speeds, nor the attenuating effects of walls, structures, and terrain features that might intervene between the roads and any location of interest) and should be used as a guide for land use planning. The 60 dB CNEL contour is the noise level for which noise considerations should be included when
making land use policy decisions that affect existing and proposed noise -sensitive developments. The 65 dB CNEL contour describes the area for which new noise sensitive developments will be permitted only if appropriate mitigation measures are included such that the standards in this section are achieved.
Noise and Land Use Compatibility
Noise exposure criteria should be incorporated into land use planning to reduce future noise and land use incompatibilities. Simi Valley has a number of educational facilities, hospitals, convalescent homes, day care operations, and other facilities that are considered noise-sensitive. However, the primary noise-sensitive uses within the City are residential land uses. The noise exp osure of these sensitive uses varies from low in quiet residential areas, to high, in areas adjacent to the SR -118 Freeway. Considering noise sources as part of the planning process is achieved by specifying acceptable noise exposure ranges for various land uses throughout the City. Table N-1 (Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Sources) presents criteria used to assess the compatibility of proposed land uses with the noise environment.
Peaceful and quiet neighborhood
Railway next to residential development
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-41
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-42 Figure N-1 Existing Noise Contours
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-43
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-44 Figure N-2 Future Noise Contours
456
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C H A P T E R 8: S A F E T Y A N D N O I S E
G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-45
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Table N-1 Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Sources Land Use Category
Noise Exposure (dBA, CNEL)
55 60 65 70
75 80
Residential—Low-Density Single Family, Duplex, Mobile Homes
Residential—Multiple-Family
Transient Lodging—Motels, Hotels
Institutional—Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Nursing Homes
Performance Venues—Auditoriums, Concert Halls, Amphitheatres
Outdoor Sports Activities—Sports Arena, Outdoor Spectator Sports
Outdoor Recreation—Playgrounds, Neighborhood Parks
Outdoor Recreation/Activities—Golf Courses, Riding Stables, Water Recreation, Cemeteries
Office Buildings—Business Commercial and Professional
Industrial—Manufacturing, Utilities, Agriculture
SOURCE: 2002 General Plan Guidelines, State Office of Planning and Research Normally Acceptable: Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction without any special noise insulation requirements.
Conditionally Acceptable: New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features included in the design. Conventional construction, but closed windows and fresh air supply or air conditioning will normally suffice.
Normally Unacceptable: New construction or development should generally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.
Clearly Unacceptable: New construction or development should generally not be undertaken.
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G E N E R A L P L A N C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y 8-47 In addition to the Land Use
Compatibility Matrix, the City’s
interior and exterior noise standards
are identified in Table N-2 (Interior
and Exterior Noise Standards), which
represents specific noise standards
for interior and exterior noise areas
that are considered acceptable based
on noise levels generated by adjacent
mobile sources, such as automobiles,
trucks, and trains. The Simi Valley
Noise Ordinance governs noise from
non-transportation sources and does not specify maximum noise levels, but identifies various noise generators, such as construction equipment amplification and mechanical devices, and provides certain restrictions on these generators.
Table N-2 Interior and Exterior Noise Standards
Land Use Categories CNEL (LDN)
Categories Uses Interior a Exterior b
Residential Single Family, Duplex, Multiple Family
Mobile Home
45c
45d
63 63d
Commercial/Institutional Hotel, Motel, Transient Lodging Hospitals, School Classroom
Church, Library
45 45
45 —
SOURCE: Simi Valley General Plan, 1988
a. Includes bathrooms, toilets, closets, corridors
b. Limited to the following:
■ Private yard of single-family residence
■ Multi-family private patio or balcony that is served by a means of exit from inside the dwelling ■ Mobile home park
c. Noise level requirement with closed windows. Mechanical ventilating system or other means of natural ventilation shall be provided as of Chapter 12, Section 1205 of UBC. d. Exterior noise level should be such that interior noise level will not exceed 45 CNEL.
GOAL N-1
Land Use Compatibility. Land use conflicts between various noise sources and other human activities are minimized.
P o l i c i e s
N-1.1 Noise Standards. Require noise attenuation for all development where the projected exterior and interior noise levels exceed those shown in Table N-1 (Interior and Exterior Noise Standards), to the extent feasible. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-1)
N-1.2 Noise between Adjacent Uses. Require that mixed-use and multi-family residential developments demonstrate that the design of the structure will adequately isolate noise between adjacent uses
Residential adjacent to commercial
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N O I S E ( N )
C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-48 (orientation, window insulation, common wall separation, common floor/ceilings separation, etc.). (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-1, N-2)
N-1.3 Mixed-Use Development Standards. Require, whenever physically possible, new mixed -use developments to locate loading areas, parking lots, driveways, trash enclosures, mechanical equipment, and other noise sources away from the residential portion of the development, and apply physical construction standards (equipment, construction standards) to reduce noise between uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-1)
N-1.4 Noise Attenuation Measures. Ensure that all new development provides adequate sound insulation or other protection from existing and anticipated noise sources. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-2) N-1.5 Sensitive Receptors. Incorporate ambient noise level considerations into land use decisio ns involving schools, hospitals, and similar noise-sensitive uses. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-2) Mobile Noise Sources
GOAL N-2
Sensitive Receptors. Motor vehicle traffic and railroad noise impacts on sensitive noise receptors are minimized.
P o l i c i e s
N-2.1 State Motor Vehicle Noise Standards. Encourage the enforcement of state motor vehicle noise standards for cars, trucks, and motorcycles through coordination with the California Highway Patrol and Simi Valley Police Department. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-3) N-2.2 Roadway Noise Sensitivity Measures. Ensure the employment of noise attenuation measures in the design of roadway improvement projects consistent with funding capability. Support efforts by the California Department of Transportation and others to provide for acoustical protection of existing noise-sensitive land uses affected by these projects. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-3) N-2.3 Noise Attenuation along Major Arterials and Railroad Tracks. Require the use of walls and berms in the design of residential and other noise-sensitive land uses that are adjacent to the 118 Freeway, major arterials, and railroad tracks. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-1) N-2.4 Noise Studies for New Development. Require the preparation of noise studies, as deemed necessary by the Department of Environmental Services, for new development (especially residential projects) along the freeway corridor, major thoroughfares, and railroad tracks to ensure that adequate sound attenuation from these noise sources is provided. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-2) Stationary Noise Sources
GOAL N-3
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N-3.1 Protection from Stationary Noise
Sources. Continue to enforce
interior and exterior noise
standards to ensure that sensitive
noise receptors are not exposed to
excessive noise levels from
stationary noise sources, such as
machinery, equipment, fans, and
air conditioning equipment.
(Imp A-1, A-2, LU-12, LU-18)
N-3.2 Regulation of Sound -Amplifying
Equipment. Continue to regulate
the use of sound -amplifying
equipment. (Imp A-1, A -2, LU -18,
N-1)
N-3.3 Enforcement of Hours of
Construction Activity. Continue to enforce restrictions on hours of construction activity so as to minimize the impacts of noise and vibration from the use of trucks, heavy drilling equipment, and other heavy machinery to adjacent uses, particularly in residential areas. (Imp A-1, A-2, LU-18, N-1) Implementation Program
Each General Plan policy is correlated with one or more implementation measure. The Noise Implementation Program, presented in Table N-3 (Noise Implementation Program), describes the measures or actions to be taken by the City to carry out the goals and policies defined in this section.
Table N-3 Noise Implementation Program
2011
2012–2015
2016–2035
Annual
Ongoing
N-1 Simi Valley Municipal Code. The City shall review and update the Development Code to establish requirements for new development proposals, as follows: require noise attenuation for all development where the noise levels exceed established standards; require that mixed-use and multi-family residential developments mitigate noise impacts between adjacent uses; require development standards for new mixed-use developments to locate noise sources away from residential portions of the development; require the use of walls and berms for residential projects adjacent to the 118 Freeway and major arterials; enforce interior and exterior noise standards; regulate the use of sound amplifying equipment; and enforce restrictions on hours of construction activity.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) LU-19.6, N-1.1~N-1.3, N-2.3, N-3.2, N-3.3
Metrolink train station
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C I T Y OF S I M I V A L L E Y G E N E R A L P L A N 8-50 Table N-3 Noise Implementation Program
2011
2012–2015
2016–2035
Annual
Ongoing
N-2 Environmental Review. The City shall continue to ensure that all development proposals are reviewed per the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to ensure that all new development provides adequate sound insulation or other protection from existing and anticipated noise sources; incorporate ambient noise level considerations into land use decisions involving noise sensitive uses; and require the preparation of noise studies for new development.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) N-1.2, N-1.4, N-1.5, N-2.4
N-3 Interagency Coordination and Partnership. The City shall coordinate with appropriate agencies, such as California Highway Patrol and Caltrans, to enforce state vehicle noise standards and to coordinate roadway design and improvements.
Implements
Which Policy(ies) N-2.1, N-2.2
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General Plan Update
Appendix B: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
prepared by
City of Simi Valley
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, California 93063
Contact: Stratis Perros, Environmental Services Director prepared with the assistance of
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
180 North Ashwood Avenue
Ventura, California 93003
September 13, 2021
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Table of Contents
Appendix B: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment i
Table of Contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Setting ................................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Vulnerability Assessment Methodology ............................................................................. 4 2 Exposure ......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Historical Hazards ............................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Projected Climate Change Hazards ..................................................................................... 7 3 Sensitivity ......................................................................................................................................13
3.1 Populations .......................................................................................................................13
3.2 Community Structures and Infrastructure ........................................................................14
3.3 Parks and Open Space .......................................................................................................14
3.4 Services ............................................................................................................................14 4 Potential Impacts ..........................................................................................................................16 Tables
Table 1 Ten Largest Wildfires in Ventura County in the Last 50 Years (1970-2020) ....................... 6 Table 5 Potential Impacts ..............................................................................................................16
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1 Introduction
As a result of climate change, the City of Simi Valley (City) is expected to experience more frequent and damaging extreme weather events like gradual hotter days and warmer nights, variable precipitation, wildfire, and drought. The predicted amplification of hazard events will present an increase in the risk of adverse impacts on the City’s communities, infrastructure, natural resources, and services.
This report provides a climate change vulnerability assessment for the City to improve the community’s understanding of the risks it could face due to climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report defines vulnerability as “the propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected.” It adds that vulnerability “encompasses various concepts and elements including sensitivity or susceptibility to harm and lack of capacity to cope and adapt” (IPCC, 2013).
Climate change adaptation and resilience must be addressed in Simi Valley’s Safety Element in accordance with Senate Bill 379. This vulnerability assessment is intended to help develop an understanding of the primary impacts of climate change on the community of Simi Valley and provide the necessary background information to develop effective adaptation strategies. It was completed to evaluate the degree to which physical, socioeconomic, and natural factors are susceptible to, or unable to accommodate, the anticipated effects of climate change. Consistent with the 2020 Cal OES California Adaptation Planning Guide (Cal OES 2020) the assessment is comprised of the following four elements:
1. Exposure. The nature and degree to which the community experiences a stress or hazard
2. Sensitivity. The aspects of the community (i.e., populations, community structures and infrastructure, parks and open space, and services) most affected by the identified exposures
3. Potential Impacts. The nature and degree to which the community is affected by a given stressor, change, or disturbance
4. Adaptive Capacity. The ability to cope with extreme events, to make changes, or to transform to a greater extent, including the ability to moderate potential damages and to take advantage of opportunities
1.1 Setting
Simi Valley incorporated in 1969 and encompasses approximately 42 square miles1. The city is located on the southeast corner of Ventura County and borders the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. Highway 118 runs through Simi Valley and connects the city to Los Angeles. This 47- mile highway also connects to State Highways 23 and 101, Interstates 5, 405, and 210. The Santa Susana Mountains lie to the north, and the Simi Hills border to the east and south. Simi Valley is located southwest of the city of Thousand Oaks and west of the city of Moorpark. It is located 1 City of Simi Valley website: https://www.simivalley.org/about-simi-valley/at-a-glance 465
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within the Calleguas Creek Watershed, which ultimately drains to the Pacific Ocean2. This watershed includes the Arroyo Simi and its tributaries.
Single-family and multi-family residential development represents the predominant land use in the city, making up more than 71 percent of its total land area. Parks and other public and semi-public services such as schools, cemeteries, a regional landfill, and transportation rights-of-way make up just over 20 percent of the land uses. Industrial and commercial are the remaining land uses in the city, occupying approximately 5 percent and 3 percent, respectively. Residential neighborhoods are located along the valley floor and were typically constructed during the 1950s and 1980s.3 Newer residential neighborhoods include master-planned developments located to the north and south within hillside and canyon areas. These residences are often located on lots along curvilinear street patterns, typically with cul-de-sacs. Single-family development at Big Sky and Wood Ranch are examples of the newer types of development. There are also large-lot residential communities on the valley floor, such as parts of the Kadota Fig and Leeds Street neighborhoods.4 Most commercial development can be found on the City’s major corridors, Intersections of major roadways, or along with segments of major roadways. The most extensive amount of commercial development is located on Los Angeles Avenue. Much of the commercial services along this corridor are retail areas and mixed commercial districts with small retail shops, located on comparatively small lots (typically 10,000 to 18,000 square feet, with limited parking. Other commercial uses include commercial centers, with shops and businesses located to the rear of parcels with expanses of parking along the street frontage.5
There are a variety of public buildings and facilities, including City Hall, the East County Courthouse, Senior Citizens Center, Simi Valley Library, and police station in the civic center complex located north of Alamo Street, west of Tapo Canyon Road, the City’s Public Services Center (City Yard), fire stations, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and the Simi Valley Hospital. The city also has regional parks, public and private golf courses, and water bodies such as Arroyo Simi and Bard Reservoir along with transportation and utility rights-of-way and railroad corridors. Cemeteries in Simi Valley include Mount Sinai Memorial Park, Simi Valley Public, and Assumption.6 According to the Simi Valley 2015 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan7, critical service providers include:
• Sanitation: The City of Simi Valley Sanitation Services operates, maintains, and monitors the sewer system, which is comprised of approximately 40,000 lateral connections to the City's Water Quality Control Plant.
2 Simi Valley General Plan Update Technical Background Report - https://www.simivalley.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=171 3 Simi Valley General Plan EIR Volume 1 Chapter 4 – Land Use/Planning - https://www.simivalley.org/home/showpublisheddocument/6887/636306346286630000 4 Ibid
5 Ibid
6 Ibid
7 Simi Valley 2015 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
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• Police: Simi Valley Police Department responds to and suppresses criminal activities, enforces traffic laws, and provides emergency preparedness and response services to the City.
• Fire: the Ventura County Fire Department which provides fire suppression and prevention services within Simi Valley. Twenty members of the Ventura County Fire Department are assigned to Simi Valley for any one shift.
• Water Supply: Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 (WWD8) provides potable water to approximately 68 percent of the developed portion of Simi Valley. The remainder of Simi Valley not served by WWD8 is served by the Golden State Water Company (GSWC). 8 The potable water distribution system includes 43 storage facilities, 2,600 fire hydrants, 22 pump stations, 2 production wells, 15 pressure reducing stations, and 5 groundwater management wells that discharge to the Arroyo Simi. The main source of water for WWD8 service area is imported water supplied by Calleguas. In addition, WWD8 owns the Tapo Canyon Treatment Plant, which treats groundwater pumped from the Gillibrand Groundwater Subbasin for irrigation purposes. The City of Simi Valley’s Water Quality Control Plant produces recycled water, which WWD8 distributes to the Simi Valley Landfill and an industrial complex.
• Power: Electrical power is provided by the Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and Clean Power Alliance. There are two SCE distribution centers in Simi Valley. The western end of Simi Valley is serviced by the Royal Substation, located on the southwest corner of Cochran Road and First Street. The eastern portion of the community is served by the Santa Susana Substation located on the northeast corner of Cochran Road and Tapo Canyon Road.
1.2 Vulnerability Assessment Methodology
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change provides several GHG emissions scenarios to describe possible future warming. Two of these are commonly used to explore potential future climate conditions. The Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 represents a “mitigation” scenario in which global emissions peak around 2040 and decline at the end of the century. This scenario assumes global agreement and implementation of GHG reduction strategies. RCP 8.5 represents a “business as usual” scenario in which emissions continue to rise throughout the 21st century.
The State provides the Cal-Adapt tool to local jurisdictions for climate adaptation and resilience planning. Cal-Adapt is a web-based platform that includes climate change projections and climate impact research downscaled to the local level for different RCP scenarios. The projections are based on the extensive body of localized climate research cited in California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment. Climate change projections taken from Cal-Adapt for the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 projections is assessed under Temperature, Precipitation, Wildfire, and Drought relative to the health and safety of Simi Valley residents.
8 Ventura County Waterworks District No 8 – City of Simi Valley https://www.simivalley.org/home/showpublisheddocument?id=23836 467
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2 Exposure
Climate change is a global phenomenon that can impact local health, natural resources, infrastructure, emergency response, tourism, and many other facets of society. The downscaled climate change projections provided by Cal-Adapt indicate that climate changes are likely to result in increased temperatures and temperature extremes, changes in precipitation patterns, and increased potential and severity of wildfires. These conditions could lead to extended drought conditions, worsening air quality from regional wildfires, stream flooding, and urban flooding. The climate hazards of concern addressed in this analysis are:
• Temperature
• Precipitation and flooding
• Wildfire
• Drought
2.1 Historical Hazards
The climate hazards of concern in Simi Valley and the surrounding region have impacted the community in the past. Understanding historical hazards in the area provides context for assessing future climate changes and impacts.
Temperature
Observed temperatures in southern California have shown a significant increasing trend since the late 1800s (Hall et al. 2018). This includes observations over the past century, which indicate that temperature has increased across the Southern California region. Based on 1896-2015 temperature records for the California South Coast NOAA Climate Division, which encompasses the Los Angeles and Ventura region where significant trends were identified in annual average, maximum, and minimum temperatures averaging around 0.16°C per decade.9 Higher temperatures are associated with an increase air pollutant density, such as ground-level ozone, and pollution from power plant and motor vehicle emissions (CDPH 2020).
Precipitation and flooding
Ventura County has experienced several flood events from storms in the past 50 years, causing death and millions of dollars in property damage (Ventura County Flood Info n.d.). Flood events have occurred across Ventura County in 1862, 1867, 1884, 1914, 1938, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1969, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1992, 1995, 1998, and 2005 (Ventura County Flood Info n.d.). Simi Valley has experienced periodic flooding and is susceptible to flooding during heavy precipitation periods.
Simi Valley experienced the most flood damage from 1983 through 1998. Public infrastructure, such as roads and waterways, experienced the most flood damage. Most notably, during February of 1992 and March of 1995, and 1998, the City experienced significant flooding and disruption to transportation routes.10 Historically, 100-year storms have caused damages to residential 9 https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/Reg%20Report-%20SUM-CCCA4-2018-007%20LosAngeles_ADA.pdf 10 Simi Flooding Historical Floods https://www.simivalley.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=165 468
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structures.11 The 2015 Ventura County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies the locations in the City that remain vulnerable to a 100-year flood.
Wildfire
Wildfire is the most frequent hazard that occurs in Simi Valley. However, to date, historic wildfires have not significantly impacted safety of life, infrastructure, or economic losses. This is because of the successful deployment of mitigation measures that have been enacted since the 1970s.
However, wildfire risk is increasing because of climate change. Secondary impacts of fires occurring throughout the region are also playing an increasingly significant role in health. For example, wildfire smoke is beginning to threaten the health of communities thousands of miles beyond the areas in which the wildfire is burning. Wildfire smoke is comprised of air pollutants including particulate matter, known to be a public health risk (CDC 2013). Table 1 shows the ten largest wildfires in Ventura County in the last 50 years, the Thomas Fire being the fifth largest fire in the state’s history (LA Times 2020).
Table 1 Ten Largest Wildfires in Ventura County in the Last 50 Years (1970-2020) Fire Name Date Acres Burned
Thomas December 2017 281,893
Woolsey November 2018 96,949
Day September 2006 162,702
Simi Valley October 2003 108,204
Piru October 2003 63,991
Ranch October 2007 58,401
Ferndale October 1985 47,064
Green Meadow October 1993 38,477
Creek Road September 1979 32,000
Steckel October 1993 27,088
Source: Cal FIRE and 2015 Ventura County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Drought Conditions
Extended periods of drought have historically occurred in the region (Hall et al. 2018). The National Drought Mitigation Center classifies droughts into five categories: D0 is the least severe, with abnormally dry conditions; and D4 is the most severe, with exceptional drought conditions. In the past 5 years, Simi Valley (and all of Ventura County) has been classified as experiencing Exceptional (D4) Drought twice (during 2016 and 2021). During these conditions, water supplies become limited for households, agriculture, and the environment. California’s interconnected electrical grid can also have reduced capacity because hydropower generation becomes restricted. 11 Simi Valley Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2015.
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2.2 Projected Climate Change Hazards
Temperature
Warming is expected to increase across the Southern California region in the coming decades. The tables below shows annual average max temperature, annual average minimum temperature, and extreme heat days in Simi Valley.
Compared to 2005, average maximum temperatures in Simi Valley are expected to rise between
5.1° Fahrenheit (F) (RCP4.5) and 8.2°F (RCP8.5) by the end of the century. Average minimum temperatures in Simi Valley are expected to rise between 3.4°F (RCP4.5) and 7.7°F (RCP8.5) by the end of the century. Using a 30-year average, there has historically been approximately four extreme heat days per year. By the end of the century, extreme heat days are expected to increase by 15 days per year under RCP4.5 and approximately 33 days annually under RCP 8.5. The purple line shows high emissions scenario (RCP 8.5), the blue line shows the medium emissions scenario (RCP
4.5), the grey line illustrates the current trend (observed), and the gold line shows the modeled historical data. The shaded areas indicate the range for the emissions scenario. For example, the blue shaded area represents the range of data for the medium emissions scenario (RCP 4.5). 470
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Precipitation and Flooding
Total annual precipitation over the Southern California region is highly variable from year to year and dominated by a small number of significant storms. Typically, about five events produce up 50% of the annual precipitation total.12 Model projections are inconsistent regarding the projected changes in precipitation in Southern California. Generally, small changes are projected relative to the region’s historical variability.
Minimal average changes in precipitation are predicted through end of Century in the City.
Maximum 1-day precipitation models in Simi Valley have a current 30-year average of approximately 2 inches of maximum rain or snowfall in one day. By both mid and end of century, minor changes are predicted in maximum 1-day precipitation. The City’s modeled historical annual precipitation is a 30-year average of approximately 16.3 inches. By both mid and end of century, minor changes are also predicted in modeled annual precipitation. In the figures below, the purple line shows high emissions scenario (RCP 8.5), the blue line shows the medium emissions scenario (RCP 4.5), the grey line illustrates the current trend (observed), and the gold line shows the modeled historical data. The shaded areas indicate the range for the emissions scenario. For example, the blue shaded area represents the range of data for the medium emissions scenario (RCP 4.5). 12 https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/Reg%20Report-%20SUM-CCCA4-2018-007%20LosAngeles_ADA.pdf 472
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Wildfire
Wildfires in the Southern California region are influenced by a multitude of factors: a dry and warm Mediterranean climate with periodic episodes of Santa Ana winds and droughts, the type and spatial distribution of vegetation (along with dead/ dry vegetation caused by pests), varying topography, large urban-wildland interfaces, past fire suppression attempts, and human activities.13 Historically, nearly 80% of wildfires occur during the summer and fall, with a quarter of annual wildfires occurring during Santa Ana wind events. Future projections using statistical models indicate that Southern California may experience more wildfires and burned areas by the mid-21st century under RCP8.5. Overall anticipated burned area is projected to increase over 60% for Santa Ana-based fires and over 75% for non-Santa Ana fires.
Future change in wildfire risk is evaluated by modeling the association between key risk factors and the historic record of events. The Cal-Adapt tool provides modeled estimates for changes in wildfire risk at the decadal (10-year) scale through the end of century. Under both Medium (RCP 4.5) and High (RCP 8.5) Emission scenarios, the probability of wildfire in the City is predicted to increase by 50% by mid-century.14
13 https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/Reg%20Report-%20SUM-CCCA4-2018-007%20LosAngeles_ADA.pdf 14 https://cal-adapt.org/tools/wildfire/
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Drought
Climate change will increase the probability that low precipitation years will coincide with above- average temperature years. This increases the likelihood of drought due to decreased supply of moisture and increased atmospheric demand for moisture as evaporation from bare soils and evapotranspiration from plants increase. For example, the 2011-2015 drought was, in part, a result of climate change contributing to rising temperatures, dry soils, decreased precipitation, and low snowpack (Hall et al. 2018). Climate models project significantly drier soils in the region and a more than 80% chance of an extended drought15 occurring between 2050 and 2099 under RCP 8.5 (Hall et al. 2018).
High temperatures may also contribute to a reduced water supply. For instance, higher temperatures will melt the Sierra snowpack earlier and drive the snowline higher, in addition to the reduction in precipitation, which will result in less snowpack to supply water to California users (NIDIS n.d.). Increased temperatures could result in decreased potable water supply for the city, which relies on local groundwater and imported water (PHWA 2016). Extended drought scenarios are tools from Cal-Adapt that explore data for two 20-year droughts derived from LOCA downscaled meteorological and hydrological simulations.
This scenario represents a late-century dry spell from 2051–2070 identified from the HadGEM2-ES RCP 8.5 simulation. The extended drought scenario is based on the average annual precipitation over 20 years. This average value equates to 78% of historical median annual precipitation averaged 15 Multidecadal drought
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over the North Coast and Sierra California Climate Tracker regions. This shows that accumulated rainfall and snowfall will dip from an average of 16.3 inches to 12.2 inches of rain and snowfall. 475
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3 Sensitivity
Communities will be affected by climate change to varying degrees depending on how sensitive they are to impacts and the severity of the impacts. Virtually all people and assets in a community will be affected by climate change in some way. However, it is not usually feasible to assess the vulnerability of every population group or every asset in the community. The sensitivity of a community depends on the aspects of the community (i.e., specific populations and assets) most affected by anticipated climate impacts and how prevalent they are in the community. The points of sensitivity, or potentially affected community resources, identified for climate exposures are grouped as follows:
Populations
Community Structures
& Infrastructure
Parks & Open Space
Services
3.1 Populations
The following population groups may be disproportionally harmed by the impacts of climate change in Simi Valley. Population demographics are determined using the California Healthy Places Index (HPI) and United States Census Bureau unless otherwise noted. ▪ Renters. Renters make up approximately 28% of occupied housing units in the city. Renters have less control over home improvements than homeowners and may not be able to adequately protect themselves from climate hazards by retrofitting their homes. ▪ Seniors – About 15% of the Simi Valley population is 65 and older, which is above average compared to other California cities.16 Older residents can have mobility challenges or challenges living independently, which makes them more vulnerable to climate hazards. ▪ Individuals with Disabilities. Any kind of disability can present mobility challenges, hearing, or vision impairments, behavioral disabilities, and challenges living independently. Disabilities are also exacerbated by climate change. Approximately 11% of Simi Valley residents have a disability, which is higher than the state average.
▪ Young Children. About 6% of the Simi Valley population is under 5 years of age. Due to physiological and developmental factors, children are more vulnerable to the impacts of heatwaves, air pollution, infectious illnesses, and trauma resulting from climate change.
Children under 5 are rapidly growing; their lungs are developing, they breathe at a higher rate than adults, and they spend more time outdoors (California Department of Public Health, 2020). ▪ Outdoor Workers. Outdoor workers are vulnerable to climate change because working in extreme heat can pose serious health risks. Additionally, outdoor workers tend to have lower 16 ACS
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incomes and belong to communities of color, both of which are factors that increase vulnerability to climate change (CDPH 2020).
3.2 Community Structures and Infrastructure
A population’s vulnerability increases when the services it relies upon are exposed to hazards.
Climate change amplifies the vulnerability of structures and infrastructure that serve essential roles and functions in a community. This can be the case when climate conditions exceed the design parameters of a structure or asset or cause them to degrade more rapidly. Existing deferred maintenance can also increase the vulnerability of community structures and infrastructure to climate changes. Health risks may arise due to damaged infrastructure, which may further stem from the loss of access to electricity, impacts to sanitation, safe food, water supplies, health care, communication, and transportation. To help reduce adverse effects on vulnerable populations and increase adaptive capacity, strategies and policies must be identified regarding the most vulnerable infrastructure, ensuring a high standard of condition and performance on infrastructure systems and overall disaster preparedness.
Essential facilities such as hospitals and other medical facilities, police and fire stations, emergency operations centers, evacuation shelters, and schools are critical to the health and welfare of the population of Simi Valley and are especially important during and following climate-influenced hazard events. The following types of community structures provide the community with essential functions: Municipal Buildings, Medical Facilities, Education and Childcare Facilities, Police Stations, and Fire Department Stations. Road and rail infrastructure also provide the community with essential services. Road specifically are essential for evacuations and emergency responder access to hazard events.
3.3 Parks and Open Space
There is significant open space within the City’s boundary, particularly in the North and South areas of the City. These spaces serve the public with recreational opportunities, but must be managed, particularly with respect to wildfire risk. There are several parks, including Rancho Madera, Coyote Hills, Lincoln, Citrus Grove, Berylwood, Sycamore, and Callahan Field. Open spaces and parks can mitigate heat by providing vegetation and unpaved surfaces. They can reduce stormwater runoff, which alleviates the potential for urban flooding. However, increased vegetation can also provide fuel for fires, which must be mitigated. Vegetation and open spaces must be actively managed to reduce wildfire risk and maximize the services they provide in terms of reducing the ‘heat island effect’ that occur in City environments as well as stormwater management.
3.4 Services
The main source of water for the District is through Calleguas Municipal Water District. The District also owns two groundwater wells in the Tapo Canyon area, which supply water to the Tapo Canyon Water Treatment Plant.17. The Sanitation Services Division of the Public Works Department provides conveyance and treatment of sewage, an essential service to the residents and businesses in Simi Valley.18
17 https://www.simivalley.org/departments/public-works/waterworks-vcwwd-no-8 18 https://www.simivalley.org/departments/public-works/sanitation-services 477
716
Sensitivit
Appendix B: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment 15
Energy services in Simi Valley include electricity and natural gas delivered through above and below ground utility lines from Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). Power and water are essential services and can be damaged or disrupted by hazard events such as flooding and wildfire.
478
717
Potential
Appendix B: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment 16
4 Potential Impacts
Climate change impacts are expected to increase stress on vulnerable populations and assets. In Simi Valley, the most likely primary impacts of climate change relate to increasing temperatures, an increase in the number and severity of extreme heat days, wildfire risk, and air quality hazards related to wildfire events. The potential impacts of these climate hazards to populations, community structures and infrastructure, parks and open space, and services are highlighted below.
Table 1 Potential Impacts
Sensitivity
Type Sensitivity Impact Description
Renters Renters have less control over home improvements than homeowners and may not be able to adequately protect themselves by installing air conditioning or improving insulation. Renters may also be less likely to implement wildfire reduction and water demand management measures on their properties.
Seniors Seniors are more likely to have health conditions that can be exacerbated by climate risks, including extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Seniors are more likely to have reduced mobility, which can become more limited because of extreme weather and extreme heat. Many seniors are on fixed incomes and may have less resources to invest in adaptation measures.
What’s the impact?
Individuals with
Disabilities
Some disabilities are associated with decreased mobility. It may be more challenging for individual with disabilities to evacuate effectively in the event of a large-scale event such as a wildfire or flood.
Young Children Due to their less-developed physiology and immune system, children are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. Children may not be able to efficiently thermoregulate during extreme heat events. Infants have a greater risk for mortality and heat- related illness. Children can also be impacted psychologically which could result in a loss of self-confidence, nervousness, and insomnia (CDPH 2020). This additional stress on children’s systems could affect them into adulthood and result in lifelong ailments. Changes in temperature may also indirectly impact children through impacts to biological species and natural habitat, such as increases in the incidence of vector borne disease (WHO 2018). Climate change may result in pathogens developing and spreading more quickly; susceptibility to disease may increase.
Outdoor Workers Strenuous work conditions in extreme heat can lead to hazardous conditions for outdoor workers (CDPH 2020). Changes in temperature may also indirectly impact outdoor workers through impacts to biological species and natural habitat, such as increases in the incidence of vector borne disease (WHO 2018). Climate change may result in pathogens developing and spreading more quickly; susceptibility to disease may increase. Outdoor workers are more exposed to extreme weather events and may be at greater risk traveling between locations.
Municipal Buildings Increased temperatures are likely to result in minimal direct impact to community structures and infrastructure. Indirect impacts include a decrease in use of community facilities that do not have air conditioning or conversely, increase cooling costs to operate buildings with air conditioning. It may become more difficult for people with mobility challenges to access critical facilities in a future with more extreme heat days and extreme weather. Facilities may become more expensive to operate as temperatures increase and weather becomes more variable. Structures will become more vulnerable to wildfire as the probability of Medical Facilities
Educational and
Childcare Facilities
Public Safety
Infrastructure and
Response
479
718
Potential
Appendix B: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment 17
Sensitivity
Type Sensitivity Impact Description
Roadways and
Transportation
Facilities
an event increases towards mid-century. Facilities located in flood-prone locations be become at greater risk as weather becomes more variable. Roadways will degrade more quickly as temperatures increase.
Parks and Open
Space
Increased temperatures and increased variability in precipitation are likely to result in impacts to vegetation related to heat stress such as plant die-offs and increased susceptibility to disease. Indirect impacts could include increased watering and related costs.
Natural Habitat Increased temperatures may stress natural habitats in the City. Extreme heat can have subtle effects that can compound over time on the bodies of animals causing shifts in physiology and potentially mortality. Increasing temperatures may also cause wildlife to move to more habitable areas. Wildfire events may also cause long-term changes to local habitats, which may in-turn influence wildfire risk.
Water and
Wastewater
Services
High temperatures would contribute to a reduced water supply through increased evaporation and water use, could result in increased water demand and decreased potable water supply for the city. Wildfire can also damage water infrastructure, which is essential for fire suppression.
Energy Delivery Long periods of intense heat may result in increased use of electricity for home cooling purposes that could tax the overall electrical system and result in electricity restrictions or blackouts. Electrical outages would have wide-ranging impacts to all community structures, particularly to those without redundant power systems (e.g., generators). An increase in extreme weather (wind, rain, and fire) could increase the number of power outages and damaged infrastructure. 480
719
EXHIBIT 5
PLANNING COM
MISSION PACKET
SEPTEMBER
29, 2021
INDEX
Planning Commission Resolution
Planning Commission Draft Minutes
Planning Commission Staff Report (excluding draft Resolution and Attachments)
Supplemental Staff Reports (3)
Late Correspondence
481
720
RESOLUTION NO. SVPC 11.2021
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY RECOMMENDING TO THE
CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF GPA-2021-OOO1 AND Z-S-
2021-OOO5 TO UPDATE THE GENERAL PLAN HOUSING
ELEMENT FOR THE 2021-2029 PLANNING PERIOD;
INTERNAL CONSISTENCY UPDATES TO THE GENERAL
PLAN (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SAFETY &
NOISE CHAPTERS), LAND USE MAP AND ZONING MAP
AMENDMENTS FOR SELECTED SITES, ADOPTION OF
THE MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
MITIGATION MONITORING PLAN, AND TO SUBMIT THE
DRAFT 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT TO THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Simi Valley has initiated an amendment to the General Plan (GPA-2021-0001) to update the Housing Element for the 2021-2029 Planning Period, including several General Plan Land Use Map Amendments and Zoning Map Amendments (2-S-2021-0005) for real properties identified in Exhibits A and B attached hereto, and to Land Use and Zoning Map designations identified in Exhibit A and B attached hereto; and internal consistency updates to the General Plan (Community Development and Safety and Noise Chapters) and to authorize submittal of the 2021- 2029 Draft Housing Element to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD); and
WHEREAS, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared for the project and advertised for public review from August 26, 2021 to September 24,2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The findings for the Mitigated Negative Declaration, contained in the Planning Commission staff report dated September 29,2021, and incorporated herein by reference, are recommended to the City Council for adoption.
SECTION 2. The project's Mitigated Negative Declaration contained in the Planning Commission staff report dated September 29,2021 prepared for GPA-2021- 0001 and 2-3-2021-0005, and Mitigation Monitoring Plan attached hereto as Exhibit C, are recommended to the City Councilfor adoption.
SECTION 3. The findi ngs, for approval, for GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021- 0005, contained in the Planning Commission staff report dated September 29,2021, and incorporated herein by reference, are hereby recommended to the City Council for approval.
GPA2021 0001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
482
721
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
SECTION 4. General Plan Amendment No. 2021-0001, to update the General Plan Housing Chapter (Housing Element), Community Development Chapter and Safety & Noise Chapter, contained in the September 29,2021 Planning Commission Staff Report, incorporated herein by reference, or as amended by this Commission, is hereby recommended to the City Council for adoption and authorization to submit to the Department of Housing and Community Development;
SECTION 5. General Plan Amendment No. 2021-0001, to change the General Plan Land Use Map Land Use Designations to higher residential densities on properties and locations identified in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, is hereby recommended to the City Council for approval.
SECTIoN6 Zone Change Number 2-3-2021-0005, to change the Zoning Map Designations to higher residential densities on properties and locations identified in Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, is hereby recommended to the City Councilfor approval.
SECTION 7. The time within which judicial review must be sought for administrative decisions is governed by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 29th day of September 2021
.42m. C4a.t-z-re
ie Yates Allan C. Mann, Chairperson
Planning CommissionRecording Secretary
Approved as to Form:
C-
App as to Content:
c
C
O'Connell
Assistant City Attorney
n Gibson
Deputy Environmental Services
Director/City Planner
2 GPA20210001 ].520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
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722
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Simi Valley, Catifornia, at a regular meeting held on September 29,2021 by the following vote:
AYES Commissioners Hodge and Rice;
Vice Chairperson Tolson and Chairperson Mann
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN None
ABSENT Commissioner Gray
ATTEST
p Yates
Recording Secreta
3 GPA20210001 ,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
484
723
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
General Plan Am nt No. GPA-2021-0001
The Simi Valley Official General Plan Land Use Map is hereby amended as follows:
A. General Plan Land Use Change from Residential High Density (10.1 - 20 du/ac) to Residential Very High Density (20.1- 35 du/ac).
B. General Plan Land Use Change from Residential Very Low Density (0 - 2 du/ac) to Residential Very High Density (20.1 - 35 du/ac).
C. General Plan Land Use Change from Residential Moderate Density (5.1 - 10 du/ac) to Residential High Density (10.1 - 20 du/ac).
D. General Plan Land Use Change from Residential Very Low Density (0 - 2 du/ac) to Residential High Density (10.1 - 20 du/ac).
E. General Plan Land Use Ghange from Residential Very Low Density (0 - 2 du/ac) to Residential Moderate Density (5.1 - 10 du/ac) 4 APN Symbol on Map Existing Land Use New Land Use
625-0-220-24 A High Density Very High Density
625-0-081-05 A High Density Very High Density
625-0-081-06 A High Density Very High Density
625-0-081-19 A High Density Very High Density
625-0-081-18 A High Density Very High Density
625-0-081-11 B Very Low Density Very High Density
618-0-080-69 c Moderate Density High Density
618-0-080-66 c Moderate Density High Density
618-0-080-72 c Moderate Density High Density
618-0-080-73 c Moderate Density High Density
618-0-080-65 c Moderate Density High Density
618-0-070-17 c Moderate Density High Density
625-0-075-06 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-062-08 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-062-09 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-062-10 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-062-11 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-062-12 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-062-14 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-062-15 D Very Low Density High Density
GPA2021 0001,2S2021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
485
724
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
CONTINUED
625-O-062-07 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-075-05 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-075-03 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-075-04 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-19 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-20 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-081-12 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-081-13 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-081-14 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-01 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-05 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-11 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-16 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-17 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-14 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-06 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-07 D Very Low Density High Density
625-0-091-21 D Very Low Density High Density
644-0-080-19 E Very Low Density Moderate Density
644-0-080-17 E Very Low Density Moderate Density
644-0-080-18 E Very Low Density Moderate Density
644-0-080-16 E Very Low Density Moderate Density
644-0-080-85 D Very Low Density High Density
644-0-080-42 D Very Low Density High Density
644-0-080-84 D Very Low Density High Density
644-0-080-46 D Very Low Density High Density
644-0-080-50 D Very Low Density High Density
5 GPA2021 0001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
486
725
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
(coNTINUED)
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GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
487
726
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
(coNTtNUED)
General Plan Amendment No. GPA-2021-0001
The Simi Valley Official General Plan Land Use Map is hereby amended as follows:
F. General Plan Land Use Change from Residential Low Density (2.1 - 3.5 du/ac) to Residential Medium Density (3.6 - 5 du/ac).
G. General Plan Land Use Ghange from Open Space (1 uniU4O ac) to Residential Medium Density (3.6 - 5 du/ac).
egen
f R""rr"tion Commercial (.10 FAR)Reridontial
Open Space (1 uniU4O acres)
'y'Ky'/, aeaiaental Estat€ (0-1 du/ac)
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Low Density (2.1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Medium Denslty (3.6 - 5.0 du/ac)
tlffi uodrrate Density (5.1 - 10 du/ac)
! nish Density (10.1 - 20 du/ao)
I U"O High Density (20.1 - 35 du/ac)
//ffi uotit Home (o -8 du/ac)
Commcrciel
Commercial Resort
Neighborhood Commercial (.2 FAR)
! cen"r"l commercial (.30 FAR)
I Omce Commercial (.50 FAR)
lndultrlal
! tnoustrial (.32 FAR)
! eusinessPark(.sFAR)
Itixod- Uss
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'% Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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(American Jewish Universiry)
N undfil
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V\hler Body
Cemetery
Regional Park
Community Park
Neighborhood Park
Golf Course
on p g
Use
New Land Use
Low S tum
Medium NS
GPA20210001 ,2.520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
488
727
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
(coNTTNUED)
General Plan Amendment No. GPA-2021-0001
The Simi Valley Official General Plan Land Use Map is hereby amended as follows:
H. General Plan Land Use Change from Residential Medium Density (3.6 - 5 du/ac) to Residential Moderate Density (5.1 - 10 du/ac).
Legend
! Recreation Commercial (.10 FAR)Reridenthl
Open Space (1 uniU,f0 acres)
;{ffi;J aeslFlenfial Estate (0-1 du/ac)
Very Low D€nsity (0-2 du/ac)
Low Den8ity (2,1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Medium Oensity (3,6 - 5.0 du/ac)
f,ffi uoOerale Density (5.1 - 10 du/ac)
! nigh Density (10.1 - 20 du/ac)
I U"O High Deneity (20.1 -35 du/ac)
dfi/a uoait Home (o - 8 du/ac)
Neighborhood Commercial (.2 FAR)
! ceneral Commercial (.30 FAR)
! Omce commercial (.50 FAR)
lndustrial
I tnoustrial (.32 FAR)
I ausinessPark(.SFAR)
tixed- Use
I ulxeo-Use (Upto 1.5 FAR)
Public/Somi-Public
f civlccenter
iliiiiii pultic Services Center
8 ffiIII
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Regionel Facility or lnstitution
'/%, Aonaa Reagan Presidential Library
WVZ uu (American Jewish Universiiy)
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Water Body
Cemetery
Regional Park
Community Park
Neighborhood Patk
Golf Course
Gommerciel
Commercial Resort
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GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
489
728
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
(coNTTNUED)
General Plan Amendm ent No. GPA-2021-0001
The Simi Valley Official General Plan Land Use Map is hereby amended as follows:
l. General Plan Land Use Ghange from Residential High Density (10.1 - 20 du/ac) to Residential Very High Density (20.1 - 35 du/ac).
Legend
Regldontlrl
Jii'l'.r,, Open Space (1 uniU40 acr6)
/%, Residential Estate (0-1 du/ac)
Very Low D.ensity (0-2 du/ec)
Low Denslty (2,1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Medium Density (3.6 - 5.0 du/ac)
! nroCerate Denglty (5.1 - 10 du/ac)
! ffigh Density (10.1 -20du/ac)
I U"O High Deneity (20.1 - 35 du/ac)
'%. uooiL Home (o - 8 du/ac)
Gommcrcial
ffiffi commeroial Resort
I necreation commercial (.10 FAR)
ffi N"igtruorhood commercial (.2 FAR)
! eenerat commerdd (.30 FAR)
! omce commercial (.50 FAR)
lndu.trirl
I moustrial(.32 FAR)
f ausineesPaft(,SFAR)
lf,lxed- Ure
! uxea-use(upto 1.5FAR)
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Othcr
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ffi tnat"teody
Cemetery
Regional Park
Community Pafi
Neighborftood Park
Golf Course
APN Symbol on Map Existing Land
Use
New Land Use
631-0-140-10 A High Density Verv Hiqh Densitv
rI
o{
lr
GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
o
490
729
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
(coNTTNUED)
General Plan Amendment No. GPA-2021-0001
The Simi Valley Official General Plan Land Use Map is hereby amended as follows:
J. General Plan Land Use Ghange from Residential Medium Density (3.6 - 5.0 du/ac) to Residential Very High Density (20.1- 35 du/ac).
IOS A}{GE[,.ES lStE.
AVE.
PACIFIC
Legend
Reridenfel
ffi
'/m,
Open Space (1 uniU4O acres)
Reeidential Estate (0-1 du/ac)
Very Low D€miV (0-2 du/ac)
Low Density (2.1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Medium Denelty (3.6 - 5.0 du/ac)
Moderate Density (5,1 - 10 du/ac)
High Deneity (10.1 - 20 du/ac)
Very High Denaity (20.1 - 35 du/ac)
Mobile Home (0 - 8 du/ac)
! Recreation Commercial (.10 FAR)
ffi@ N"ignUorhood Commercial (.2 FAR)
I ceneral commercial (.30 FAR)
I Omce Comm€rcial (.50 FAR)
lndultlld
! lnoustrial (.32 FAR)
! ausinessPark(.SFAR)
tixod- U.o
! ux"a-Uae(Upto 1.5 FAR)
Publicrsomi-Public
! ctvtccenter
flffi Ruarc Services Center
10 IIII
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'%, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
% ^u(Arnerican
Jewish universfi)
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ff uaueoay
C€met€ry
Regional Park
Community Park
Neighborhood Park
Golf Course
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f corr"rcialResort
APN Symbol on Map Existing Land
Use
New Land Use
631-0-114-03 A Medium Densitv Verv Hiqh Densitv
631-0-114-02 A Medium Densitv Verv Hiqh Densitv
631-0-114-09 A Medium Densitv Verv Hiqh Densitv
GPA20210001 /5.20210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
491
730
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
(coNTtNUED)
General n Amendment No. GP 1-0001
The Simi Valley Official General Plan Land Use Map is hereby amended as follows:
K. General Plan Land Use Change from Residential High Density (10.,1 - 20 du/ac) to Residential Very High Density (20.1 - 35 du/ac).
APN Symbol on Map Existing Land
Use
New Land Use
632-0-351-70 A High Density Very High Densitv
632-0-351-71 A High Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-351-72 A Hish Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-020-23 A Hiqh Densitv Verv Hiqh Densitv
632-0-020-22 A Hiqh Densitv Very High Density
632-0-020-19 A Hiqh Densitv Very High Density
632-0-020-17 A Hiqh Densitv Very High Density
632-0-080-14 A Hish Densitv Very Hish Densitv
632-0-020-13 A Hish Densitv Very Hiqh Densitv
632-0-020-12 A Hish Densitv Verv Hiqh Densitv
632-0-020-21 A Hish Densitv Very Hish Densitv
632-0-020-20 A High Densitv Very Hish Densitv
632-0-080-18 A High Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-020-14 A High Density Very High Density
632-0-020-18 A High Density Very High Densitv
632-0-020-25 A High Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-030-48 A High Density Very High Densitv
632-0-030-24 A High Density Very High Densitv
632-0-030-51 A High Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-020-11 A Hish Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-030-67 A High Density Very High Densitv
632-0-030-66 A High Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-030-47 A Hish Densitv Very Hish Densitv
632-0-030-28 A High Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-030-27 A High Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-030-55 A High Density Very High Densitv
632-0-060-01 A High Density Very High Density
632-0-060-26 A High Density Very High Density
632-0-060-25 A High Density Very High Density
632-0-060-23 A Hiqh Densitv Verv Hish Densitv
632-0-060-29 A Hiqh Densitv Verv Hiqh Densitv
632-0-060-04 A Hish Densitv Very Hish Densitv
632-0-060-05 A Hiqh Densitv Very Hiqh Densitv
632-0-050-39 A High Density Verv Hiqh Densitv
GPA20210001,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
11 492
731
Legend
Residential
Op€n Space (1 uniU4O acree)
.'t,i:, . Residential Estate (0-1 du/ac)
Very Low Densi$ (0-2 du/ac)
Low Denslty (2.1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Medium Density (3,6 - 5.0 du/ac)
,,irri.il: Moderate Density (5.1 - 10 du/ac)
! nign Density (10.1 -20 dulac)
I V"w High Density (20.1 -35 du/ac)
j"::.t .. t"toUite Home (0 - I du/ac)
Commercial
Commercial Resort
! Recreation Commercial (.10 FAR)
Neighborhood Commercial (.2 FAR)
RES. NO. SVPC 11.2021
EXHIBIT A
UED )
'ffi
IffiI
f!!r
{{{i
Regional Facility or lnstitution
V/ffi Aonaa Reagan Presidentiat Library
W% UU (American Jewish University)
oo=-.N Landfill
Other
Transportation
Iirilater Body
Cemetery
Regional Park
Community Park
Neighborhood Park
Golf Course
! eenerat commerciat (.30 FAR)
I Omce Commercial (.50 FAR)
lndustrial
I lnAustrial (.32 FAR)
! ausinessPark(.5FAR)
tixed- Ure
! uixeo-Use (Upto 1.5 FAR)
Public/Serni-Public
! civiccenter
! iiili ii Public Services Center
632-0-060-22 A Hiqh Densitv Very High Densitv
632-0-080-01 A High Densitv Very High Densitv
GPA20210001 ,Z.520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
12 493
732
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
(coNTTNUED)
General Plan Amend No. GPA-2021-0001
The Simi Valley Official General Plan Land Use Map is hereby amended as follows:
General Plan Land Use Ghange from Residential Medium Density (3.6 - 5 du/ac) to Residential High Density (10.1 - 20 du/ac).
General Plan Land Use Change from Office Commercial (.5 FAR) to Mixed Use (Up to 1.5 FAR).
Legend
L-1.
Reridential
Open Space (1 uniU4O acres)
Residential Estate (0-1 du/ac)
Very Low Density (0-2 du/ac)
Low Density (2.1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Medium Denslty (3.6 - 5,0 du/ac)
ii1rtl! Moderate Density (5.1 - 10 du/ac)
! nign Density (10.1 - 20 du/ac)
I V"w High Density (20.1 -35 du/ac)
':::,.::.,. Mobile Home (0 - 8 du/ac)
Commercial
Commercial Resort
I necreation Commercial (.10 FAR)
Neighborhood Commercial (.2 FAR)
'tffi cemetel
I Regional Park
ffiffi community Park
! Neignoorhood Park
Siil eor cor.."
Rogional Facility or lnstitution
'%, aonaa Reagan Presidential Library
% ^,
(American Jewish university)
N uanofitt
Clther
Transportatlon
t/Vater Body
L-2
f eeneral commercial (.30 FAR)
! om""commercial (.50 FAR)
lndustrial
! tnoustrial(,32 FAR)
! eusiness Park (.5 FAR)
tixod- U3o
! UixeO-UEe (Up to 1.5 FAR)
Publicr$emi-Public
f civiccenter
iiiii! !i Puotic Services Cenier
APN Svmbol on Map Existing Land Use New Land Use
638-0-030-34 A Medium Density Hiqh Densitv
638-0-310-05 B Office Commercial Mixed Use
W
I
-III
I
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lllt I
lt tlltlllr
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I
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-IIIII
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-
II
II
r
I
I
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I
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!I
-I
<:'
I
lttlltll IIr
II
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-III
I
-
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E
GPA2021 0001,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
13 494
733
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT A
(coNTTNUED)
General Plan Amendment No. GPA-2021-0001
The Simi Valley Official General Plan Land Use Map is hereby amended as follows:
M. General Plan Land Use Change from Residential Low Density (2.1 - 3.5 du/ac to Residential Medium .6 - 5 du/ac
Legend
! Recreation commercial (.10 FAR)Residenfal
Open Space (1 uniu4o acres)
,:i.:i::;:; R$idential Estate (0-'l du/ac)
Very Low Density (0-2 du/ac)
Low Denslty (2.1 - 3.5 du/ac)
Medium Density (3.6 - 5.0 du/ac)
jj:g'i rrroOerate Density (5.1 - 10 du/ac)
I xigt' Density (10.1 -20 du/ac)
I u.o High Densily (20.1 -35 du/ac)
.li.{i. uoviLHome (o - 8 du/ac)
Gommerciel
Commercial Resort
Neighborhood Commercial (.2 FAR)
I ceneral commercial (.30 FAR)
! omce commerciat (.50 FAR)
lnductrial
! tnorstriat (.32 FAR)
f eusiness Park(.s FAR)
tixed- Uee
! uixea-use (upto 1.5 FAR)
Publicrseml-Public
! civiccenter
i:;::il; pubtic Services Center
,ffi
InI
{3{i
Rogional Facility or lnctitution
t%, aonaa Reagan Presidential Library
%VZ XU (Arnerican Jewish University)
N Landfiil
Other
Transportation
V\tater Body
Cemetery
Regional Park
Communiv Park
Neighborhood Park
Golf Course
Symbol on Map Existing Land
Use New Land UseAPN
Low Densitv Medium Densitv611-0-370-07 A
614-0-010-26 A Low Density Medium Density
614-0-010-22 A Low Density Medium Density
614-0-010-21 A Low Density Medium Density
Low Densitv61'4-0-010-24 A Medium Density
614-0-010-25 A Low Density Medium Densitv
J
l-
GPA20210001 ,25202'10005 PC Staff Report(wl)
14 495
734
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
Zone Chanqe No. Z-S-2021-0005
The SimiValley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows:
A. Zone Change from Residential High Density in the Freeway Gombining Overlay District tRH(FC)l to Residential Very High Density in the Freeway Combining Overlay District [RVH(FC)l
B. Zone Change from Residential Moderate Density in the Freeway Combining Overlay District [RMod(FG)] to Residential High Density in the Freeway Combining Overlay District tRH(FC)l
C. Zone Change from Residential Medium Density in the Freeway Combining Overlay District [RM(FC)] to Residential High Density in the Freeway Combining Overlay District [RH(FC)]
D. Zone Ghange from Residential Very Low Density in the Freeway Gombining and Animal Overlay Districts [RVL(AXFC)] to Residential High Density in the Freeway Gombining Overlay District [RH(FC)]
E. Zone Change from Residential Very Low Density in the Animal Overlay Districts [RVL(A)] to Residential Moderate Density (RMod) F. Zone Change from ResidentialVery Low Density in the Southeast Kadota Fig Specific Plan [RVL(SP)I to Residential Moderate Density (RMod) G. Zone Ghange on a split-zoned parcel from Residential High Density with Gonditional Zoning in the Southeast Kadota Fig Specific Plan IRH(CZXSP)I and Residential Very Low Density in the Southeast Kadota Fig Specific Plan IRVL(SP)I to Residential High Density (RH)
H. Residential Very Low Density in the Southeast Kadota Fig Specific Plan IRVL(SP)I to Residential High Density (RH)
APN Symbol on
Map
Existing Zoning New Zoning
625-0-220-24 A RH(FC) RVH(FC)
625-0-081-05 A RH(FC) RVH(FC)
625-0-081-06 A RH(FC) RVH(FC)
625-0-081-19 A RH(FC) RVH(FC)
625-0-081-18 A RH(FC) RVH(FC)
625-0-081-17 A RH(FC) RVH(Fc)
625-0-081-11 A RH(Fc) RVH(Fc)
618-0-080-69 B RMod(FC) RH(Fc)
GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
15 496
735
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
UED)
RMod(FC) RH(FC)618-0-080-66 B
RMod(FC) RH(FC)618-0-080-72 B
B RMod(FC) RH(FC)618-0-080-73
618-0-080-65 B RMod(FC) RH(FC)
RM(FC) RH(FC)618-0-070-17 c
D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-075-06
625-0-062-08 D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)
RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-062-09 D
D RVL(A)(FC) RH(FC)625-0-062-10
RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-062-11 D
D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-062-12
RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-062-14 D
D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-062-15
RH(FC)625-0-062-07 D RVL(AXFC)
D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-075-05
D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-075-03
625-0-075-04 D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)
RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-091-19 D
D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-091-20
625-0-081-12 D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)
RVL(A)(FC) RH(FC)625-0-081-13 D
D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-081-14
RH(FC)625-0-091-01 D RVL(AXFC)
D RVL(A)(FC) RH(FC)625-0-091-05
RVL(AXFc) RH(Fc)625-0-091-11 D
D RVL(AXFC) RH(Fc)625-0-091-16
RH(FC)625-0-091-17 D RVL(AXFC)
D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-091-14
625-0-091-06 D RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)
RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-091-07 D
RVL(AXFC) RH(FC)625-0-091-21 D
E RVL(A) RMod644-0-080-19
RMod644-0-080-17 E RVL(A)
RVL(A) RMod644-0-080-18 E
F RVL(SP) RMod644-0-080-16
RH(CZ(SP)/RVL(SP) RH644-0-080-85 G
H RVL(SP) RH644-0-080-42
RVL(SP) RH644-0-080-84 H
H RVL(SP) RH644-0-080-46
RVL(SP) RH644-0-080-50 H
GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
16 497
736
RES, NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTINUED)
EElJnuodrFcl
__-l
!
tI A
F
tt =HF-'
'
tH.I
cFu
(sT.ESy. rr8) Ff,'YXONAID fEAfrAN
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nHm)
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GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
17 498
737
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTTNUED)
Zone Chanqe No. Z-S-2021-0005
The SimiValley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows:
A. Zone Ghange from Residential Low Density with Conditional Zoning [RL (CZ)l to Residential Medium Density (RM).
APN Symbol on Map Existing Zoning New Zoning
639-0-010-75 A RL(CZ) RM
639-0-010-76 A RL(CZ) RM
I'
I
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-1
iAi:i:i
ffi! I t I i .
irrlar..rlr. 06
RE
nEp4
RT
GPA202'l 0001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
18 499
738
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTTNUED)
Zone Chanqe N .z-s-2021-0005
The Simi Valley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows A. Zone Ghange from Residential Medium Density (RM) to Residential Moderate Density (RMod).
APN Svmbol on Map Existing Zoning New Zoninq
637-0-140-15 A RM RMod
637-0-140-32 A RM RMod
H
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GPA20210001 ,25202'10005 PC Staff Report(wl)
19 500
739
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTTNUED)
Zone Ghanqe No. Z-S-2021-0005
The Simi Valley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows:
A. Zone Ghange from Residential High Density (RH) to Residential Very High Density (RVH).
APN Svmbol on Map Existing Zoning New Zoning
631-0-140-10 A RH RVH
T-rrI
ii:i:i
IIII
IIrr
II:frI
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II
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llll
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I
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lIl
ill
III
I
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I
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II
I
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I
IIII
GPA2021 0001,25202 1 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
20 501
740
A. Zone
Aven
Deve
lcPD
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTTNUED)
Zone Ghanqe No. Z-S-2021-0005
The SimiValley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows Change from Commercial Planned Development in the Los Angeles ue Plhnning Overlay ICPD (LAAPO)I to Commercial Planned lopment in the Los Angeles Avenue Planning and Mixed Use Overlays (LAAPO) (MU)l
B. Zone Change from Residential Medium Density (RM) to Commercial Planned Developmeht in the Los Angeles Avenue Planning and Mixed Use Overlays lcPD (LAAPO) (MU)I
C. Zone Ghange from Residential Medium Density (RM) to ResidentialVery High Density (RVH)
lonM Existin Zonin New ZoninAPN
UCPD LAAPOA CPD LAAPO631-0-101-08
UCPD LAAPOA CPD LAAPO631-0-1 01-04
UCPD LAAPOA CPD LAAPO631-0-1 01-12
UCPD LAAPOB RM631-0-101-14
RM RVH631-0-114-03 c
RM RVH631-0-114-02 c
RM RVH631-0-114-09 c
CPD
E. LOS
o)
CPD
TLFII
(LAAPO
RM
r+irJl
Fi
PACIFIC
II
II
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GPA20210001 ,ZS2021O0OS PC Staff Report(wl)
21 502
741
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTTNUED)
Zone Ghanqe z-s-2021-0005
The SimiValley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows:
A. Zone Change from Residential High Density with indicated parcels conditionally zoned [RH(CZ)] to Residential Very High Density (RVH) B. Zone Change from Residential High Density conditionally zoned in the Arroyo Simi Greenway Specific Plan [RH(SP)] to Residential Very High Density in the Arroyo Simi Greenway Specific Plan [RVH(SP)I APN Svmbol on Map Existing Zoning New Zoninq
632-0-351-70 A RH RVH
632-0-351-71 A RH RVH
632-0-351-72 A RH RVH
632-0-020-23 A RH RVH
632-0-020-22 A RH RVH
632-0-020-19 A RH RVH
632-0-020-17 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-080-14 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-020-13 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-020-12 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-60 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-68 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-56 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-020-21 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-020-20 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-080-18 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-020-14 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-70 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-18 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-17 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-020-18 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-020-25 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-48 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-24 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-51 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-020-11 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-67 A RH RVH
632-0-030-66 A RH(CZ) RVH
632-0-030-47 A RH RVH
632-0-030-28 A RH RVH
632-0-030-27 A RH(CZ) RVH
GPA2021 0001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
22 503
742
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
TINUE
RH(CZ) RVH632-0-030-55 A
RH RVH632-0-060-01 A
RH RVH632-0-060-26 A
RH(CZ) RVH632-0-060-25 A
RH RVH632-0-060-23 A
RH RVH632-0-060-29 A
RH(CZ) RVH632-0-060-04 A
RH(CZ) RVH632-0-060-58 A
RH(CZ) RVH632-0-060-05 A
RH RVH632-0-060-22 A
B RH(CZXSP) RVH(SP)632-0-080-01
E |rT.} IT
F/H
GPA2021 0001,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
23 504
743
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTTNUED)
Zone Ghanqe N .z-s-2021-0005
The SimiValley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows A. Zone Ghange from Residential High Density (RH) to Residential Very High Density (RVH)
B. Zone Ghange from Commercial Office (CO) to Gommercial Office in the Mixed Use Overlay [CO(MU)]
APN Symbol on Map Existinq Zoninq New Zoning
632-0-050-39 A RH RVH
638-0-310-05 B co co(MU)
rt tt I
,RTIH
I rt
I I
rlr
I AI
ft:
f
I
I
t{
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rlll
tr
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GPA2021 0001,2S2021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
24 505
744
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTTNUED)
Zone Chanqe No. Z-S-2021-0005
The Simi Valley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows A. Zone Ghange from Residential Medium Density (RM) to Residential High Density (RH).
APN Svmbol on Map Existing Zoning New Zoninq
638-0-030-34 A RM RH
GPA20210001 Z.520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
25 506
745
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT B
(coNTTNUED)
Zone Chanse No. Z-S-2021-0005
The Simi Valley Official Zoning Map is hereby amended as follows A. Zone Change from Residential Low Density (RL) to Residential Medium Density (RM).
B. Zone Change from Residential Low Density with Conditional Zoning [RL (CZll to Residential Medium Density (RM).
APN Svmbol on Map Existing Zoning New Zoning
611-0-370-07 A RL RM
614-0-010-26 B RL(CZ) RM
614-0-010-22 B RL(CZ) RM
614-0-010-21 B RL(CZ) RM
614-0-010-24 B RL(CZ) RM
614--0-010-25 B RL(CZ) RM
B
FL
::B
rl
I / I
,ll- L
GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
26 507
746
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
EXHIBIT C
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
FOR 2021 -2029 HOUST NG ELEMENT UPDATE (GPA-202 1 -0001 tZ-S-20201 -0005) Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Compliance Verification
Initial Date Comments
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
1. BIO-1- Pre-construction
Suruey
Biological
Projects proposed on undeveloped lots shall be
subject to a pre-construction biological survey.
Within 48 hours of ground disturbance and
vegetation removal, a qualified biologist shall
conduct a pre-construction survey for potential
rare, listed, or other special-status wildlife
species. The survey shall include all proposed
work areas, access routes, and staging areas
plus a S0-foot buffer where accessible. lf
special-status species are observed during the
survey, they shall be relocated by the qualified
biologist to nearby suitable habitat, but far
enough where they will not re-enter the project
site. lf a threatened or endangered species is
observed, consultation with the appropriate
regulatory agency shall be conducted prior to
removing the species and work will not
commence until approved by the regulatory
aqencv.
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA2021 0001,25202'l 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
27 508
747
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
2. BIO-2 Nesting Bird Protection
lf construction requires any vegetation trimming
or tree removal during the nesting bird season
(February 1 to August 31), pre-construction
surveys shall be conducted by a qualified
biologist not more than one week before
construction to determine the presence or
absence of nesting birds on the project site. The
survey shall be repeated if a lapse occurs in
construction activity of two weeks or more. lf
active nests are found, the qualified biologist
shall establish an appropriate buffer, accounting
for species sensitivity and the physical location
of the nest (line of sight to the work area) to
comply with California Fish and Game Code
Sections 3503 and 3503.5. ln no case shall the
buffer be smaller than 50 feet for passerine
species and 200 feet for raptor species. To
prevent encroachment, the established buffe(s)
shall be clearly marked using high-visibility
material, Encroachment into the buffer shall be
prohibited unless approved by the qualified
biologist with adequate restrictions, protections,
and/or monitoring to ensure that impacts to the
nest are avoided. The established buffer(s) shall
remain in effect until the young have fledged or
the nest is abandoned.
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA20210001 /520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
28 509
748
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Com pl iance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
3. BIO-3 lndirect lmpacts to Vegetation
Communities
The following best management practices
(BMP) shall be implemented to minimize
indirect impacts to special-status vegetation
communities for projects proposed in the
Walnut Hills and Heyneman Lane
Opportunity Areas:
1. Landscapinq Plan. Landscape plans shall
be consistent with the City of Simi Valley's
General Plan and Municipal Codes, the City
of Simi Valley Citywide Design Guidelines,
and the goals of the City of Simi Valley
VISION 2020 report. Landscape plans shall
be reviewed by a qualified botanist to
recommend appropriate provisions to
minimize the spread of invasive plant
species as defined by the County of Ventura,
and listed by the California lnvasive Plant
Council (wvvw.calipc.org) and California
Native Plant Society (www.cnps.org) within
the project area. Provisions may include:
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA20210001 ,z.520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
29 510
749
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
a. Installation of container plants and/or
hydro-seeding areas adjacent to existing,
undisturbed native vegetation areas with
native plant species common within
temporary impact areas
b. Review and screening of proposed
plants to identify and avoid potential
invasive species and weed removal during
the initial planting of landscaped areas.
Recommended perennial plants and quick
germinating erosion control plant species
native to the coastal scrub vegetation
within the project area include coastal
sagebrush (Artemisia californica), Eastern
Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum
fasciculatum var. fasciculatum), golden
yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum),
California poppy (Eschscholzia
californica), deenveed (Acmispon glaber),
white sage (Salvia apiana), and black sage
(Salvia mellifera).
2. Fire. Maintain a minimum of 100 feet
between built structures and coastal scrub
habitat based on CAL FIRE requirements for
defensible space.
GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
30 511
750
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorins
Gompliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
3. Minimize Construction lmpacts: To
prevent inadvertent disturbance to areas
outside the limits of work, the construction
limits shall be clearly demarcated (e.9.,
installation of flagging or temporary high
visibility construction fence) prior to ground
disturbance activities and all construction
activities, including equipment staging and
maintenance shall be conducted within the
marked disturbance limits.
4. lnvasive Weeds. The spread of invasive
weeds shall be minimized through
revegetation of temporarily disturbed areas.
Temporarily disturbed areas shall be
revegetated with a native seed mix and/or
container plants. A qualified
biologisVrestoration ecologist shall review
the revegetation plan prior to
implementation. Revegetated areas shall be
monitored and maintained for three years or
until native vegetation has been established.
Maintenance shall include removal of non-
native weed species and remedial measures
as determined during routine monitoring.
GPA2021 0001,2S2021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
31 512
751
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Com pl iance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
4. BIO-4 Direct lmpacb fo Specral-Sfafus
Plants
For projects proposed in the Walnut Hills and
Heyneman Lane OpportunityAreas, rare plant
surveys for rare plant species likely to occur
on project sites where there is no existing
development shall be conducted within
suitable habitat (e.9., coastal scrub and
grassland habitats) for these species no more
than one year prior to commencement of
construction activities. Surveys shall occur at
the appropriate time to capture the
characteristics necessary to identify the taxon.
Surveys shall be conducted consistent with
CNPS protocols and by a qualified botanist
knowledgeable of the local flora. Since yearly
variation in weather may result in fewer
specimens being observed, the locations of
plants considered will be cumulative (i.e., all
known plant locations over the course of the
various surveys, will be noted). For direct
impacts to special-status plant species, one or
a combination of the following strategies shall
be implemented:
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA20210001 ,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
32 513
752
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitlgation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
a. Aqencv Consultation. lf special-status plant
species are present and would directly or
indirectly be impacted by the proposed project
activities, the applicant shall consult with the
CDFW to determine the recommended course
of action.
b. Avoidance and Minimization. lmpacts to
special-status plant populations should be
avoided to the greatest extent possible and
minimized where avoidance is not feasible.
Where project impacts cannot be avoided,
mitigation is required and is discussed further
below.
GPA2021 0001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
33 514
753
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
c. Salvase. lf impacts to special-status plants
cannot be avoided, and it is feasible to
effectively salvage, a qualified ecologist shall
develop a restoration and mitigation plan
based on the life history of the species
impacted, and in coordination with CDFW to
mitigate project impacts. The plan shall
include at minimum: (a) collection/salvage
measures for plants or seed banks, to retain
intact soil conditions and maximize success
likelihood; (b) details regarding storage of
plants or seed banks; (c) location of the
proposed recipient site, and detailed site
preparation and plant introduction techniques
details for top soil storage, as applicable; (d)
time of year that the salvage and replanting or
seeding will occur and the methodology of the
replanting; (e) a description of the irrigation, if
used; (f) success criteria; and (g) a detailed
monitoring program, commensurate with the
plan's goals.
GPA2021 0001 ,2S20210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
34 515
754
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Gompliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
5. BIO-5 lndirect lmpacts to Special-Sfafus
Planrs.
ln addition to Mitigation Measure BIO-3, the
following BMPs shall be implemented for
projects proposed in the Walnut Hills and
Heyneman Lane Opportunity Areas to
minimize indirect impacts to special-status
plant species:
a. Minimize lmpacts. To the extent feasible
impacts to known special-status plant
populations identified in the project area
(e.9., two slender mariposa lily individuals
and one Catalina mariposa lily individual)
should be minimized. The full extent of the
occurrence of a special status plant species
within the survey area shall be recorded and
mapped with the number of individuals for
each occurrence documented. The outer
extent of each occurrence of special status
plants, including a 5O-foot buffer (to minimize
potential indirect effects due to fugitive dust
and accidental intrusion into the area) should
be flagged and avoided during project
related activities.
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA20210001 ,25202 1 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
35 516
755
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Com pl iance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
b. Standard Dust Control Measures.
Standard dust control measures as per the
Ventura County Air Pollution Control District
shall be implemented to reduce impacts on
nearby plants wildlife. Measures include
controlling speed to 15 mph or less on
unpaved roads, replacing ground cover in
disturbed areas as quickly as possible,
frequently watering active work sites,
installation of shaker plates, and suspending
excavation and grading operations during
periods of high winds.
c. Minimize Spills of Hazardous Materials. All
vehicles and equipment shall be maintained
in proper condition to minimize the potential
for fugitive emissions of motor oil, antifreeze,
hydraulic fluid, grease, or other hazardous
materials. Hazardous spills shall be
immediately cleaned up and the
contaminated soil shall be immediately
cleaned up and the contaminated soil shall
be properly handled or disposed of at a
licensed facility. Servicing of construction
equipment shall take place only at a
designated staging area.
GPA2021 0001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
36 517
756
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
6. 8,10-6 Direct lmpacts fo Specra/-Sfafus
Amphibian and Reptile Specfes
For projects proposed in the Walnut Hills and
Heyneman Lane Opportunity Areas, a
qualified biologist shall be present during
ground-disturbing activities immediately
adjacent to or within any grassland and
coastal scrub habitat that could support
populations of special-status amphibian and
reptile species to monitor vegetation removal
and topsoil salvaging and stockpiling. The
qualified biologist shall possess an
appropriate California scientific collecting
permit to handle special-status species likely
to occur in the project area. lf special-status
species (e.9., California glossy snake, coast
horned lizard, silvery legless lizard, coastal
whiptail, coast patch-nosed snake, and
western spadefoot) are detected in the work
area during the surveys, the authorized
biologist shall capture and relocate
individuals to nearby undisturbed areas with
suitable habitat outside of the construction
area, but as close to their origin as possible.
All wildlife moved during project activities
shall be documented by the biologist on site
and a report shall be provided to the City of
Simi Valley Planning Division.
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA20210001 ,ZS2O21O0O5 PC Staff Report(wl)
37 518
757
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
7. BIO-7 Burrowing Owl
For projects proposed in the Walnut Hills and
Heyneman Lane Opportunity Areas,
preconstruction surveys for burrowing owl
shall be conducted in accordance with
CDFW guidelines. Preconstruction surveys
shall include the project footprint and
appropriate buffer as required in the most
recent guidelines. Focused surveys only
need to be conducted where suitable burrow
resources are present. The surveys shall be
conducted no more than 30 days prior to
initiation of ground disturbance or site
mobilization activities within 500 feet from
suitable burrowing owl habitat (e.9.,
grassland and/or disturbed land) where legal
access to conduct the surveys exists. lf
burrowing owls are not detected during the
clearance survey, no additional mitigation is
required. lf an active (as determined by
positive focused surveys) burrowing owl
burrow is located within 500 feet from any
project work area or disturbance area, a
Burrowing Owl Relocation and Mitigation
Plan shall be prepared and implemented
following approvalfrom the CDFW. The plan
shall include the following:
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA2021 0001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
38 519
758
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Gom pliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
1. Avoidance and minimization measures,
including at a minimum:
a. Non-Disturbance Buffer. Fencrng or
flagging shall be installed at a 250-foot
radius from the occupied burrow to create a
buffer area where no work activities may be
conducted. The non-disturbance buffer and
fence line may be reduced to 160 feet if all
Project-related activities that might disturb
burrowing owls would be conducted during
the nonbreeding season (i.e., conducted
September 1 through January 31).
Environmental Checklist Biological
Resources Draft lnitial Study - Mitigated
Negative Declaration 53
b. Monitorinq. lf construction activities occur
within 500 feet of the occupied burrow during
the nesting season (February 1-August 31),
a qualified biologist shall monitor to
determine if these activities have potential to
adversely affect nesting efforts and shall
implement measures to minimize or avoid
such disturbance.
GPA20210001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
39 520
759
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Gom pl iance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
c. Relocation Plan. Relocation plan if
construction activities occur during the non-
breeding season (occupied burrows may not
be disturbed during the nesting season
(February 1 to August 31) to avoid take
under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and
California Fish and Game Code) describing
the following:
1. Detailed methods and guidance for
passive relocation of burrowing owls.
2. Monitoring and management of the
replacement burrow site(s), and
provide a reporting plan; the objective
shall be to manage the sites for the
benefit of burrowing owls, with the
specific goals of maintaining the
functionality of the burrows for a
minimum of two years and minimizing
weed cover.
3. Ensure that a minimum of two suitable,
unoccupied burrows are available off
site for every burrowing owl or pair of
burrowing owls to be passively
relocated.
GPA20210001 ,z.520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
40 521
760
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Gompliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
8. BIO-8 Coastal California Gnatcatcher
For projects proposed in the Walnut Hills and
Heyneman Lane Opportunity Areas, during
the year prior to initiation of construction
activities for each construction phase, a
focused coastal California gnatcatcher
survey shall be conducted in accordance
with USFWS protocol (USFWS 1997). lf
focused surveys are negative, no additional
mitigation is required. lf focused surveys are
positive, consultation with USFWS shall
occur and/or an incidental take permit (lTP)
shall be obtained from the USFWS.
Occupied habitat shall be mitigated at a
minimum 1:1 ratio fortemporary impacts, 2:1
ratio for permanent impacts, or as specified
by the resources agencies (e.9., within an
ITP). Avoidance and minimization measures
shall be implemented in accordance with
provisions of the ITP and shall include, at a
minimum:
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA20210001 ,ZS2O21OOO5 PC Staff Report(wl)
41 522
761
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
a. Environmental awareness training for all
construction personnel to educate personnel
about coastal California gnatcatcher,
protective status avoidance measures to be
implemented by all personnel, including the
avoidance of nesting bird season to the
greatest extent feasible and minimization of
vegetation impacts within suitable coastal
scrub habitat
b. Removal of suitable coastal scrub
vegetation outside of the coastal California
gnatcatcher breeding season (February 15
through August 31)
c. Establishment of environmentally
sensitive areas around coastal California
gnatcatcher nest locations (500-foot
avoidance buffer or as approved by USFWS
and CDFG) by a qualified biologist prior to
the start of any ground or vegetation-
disturbing activities, which shall be
maintained and avoided during construction
activities and until the nest is determined to
no longer be active by a biologist
GPA2021 0001,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
42 523
762
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Gompliance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
d. Presence of a qualified biological monitor
during initial grading activities, adjacent to
environmentally sensitive areas, and as
needed to document compliance with the
conditions of the lTP, the biological monitor
will have the authority to stop work as
needed to avoid direct impacts to coastal
Californ ia g natcatcher
e. Should an active gnatcatcher nest be
observed during construction activities,
activities shall cease until the nest is
determined to no lonqer be active.
9. BIO-9 lndirect lmpacts fo Specia/-Sfafus
Wildlife Specres
For projects proposed in the Walnut Hills and
Heyneman Lane Opportunity Areas, in
addition to those listed above, the following
BMPs shall be implemented to minimize
indirect impacts to special-status wildlife
species. BMPs shall be implemented to
minimize indirect impacts to special status
species.
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the biologist
must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA20210001 ,2.5.20210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
43 524
763
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Gompliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
a. Workers Environmental Awareness
Prosram (WEAP) Traininq. Before
commencement of construction, a qualified
Biologist shall provide environmental
training to educate all on-site personnel,
including construction personnel,
contractors, and monitors, on special-status
biological resources that may be
encountered on the project site. Personnel
shall be reminded that harassment,
handling, or removal of wildlife and/or other
special-status resources from the project site
is prohibited by law without appropriate
notifications and permitting. Personnel shall
be instructed on actions to take should a
special-status species be identified within an
immediate work area (e.9., work will cease
until the project biologist is notified and
provides fu rther instructions).
b. Mark/Flas Special-Status Bioloqical
Resources. The qualified Biologist shall
review and/or designate the vegetation
removal area in the field with the contractor
in accordance with the final plan. Any
construction activity areas immediately
adjacent to special-status biological
resources may be flagged or temporarily
fenced bv the monitor, at their discretion.
GPA2021 0001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
44 525
764
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
c. Bioloqical Monitorins. The qualified
Biologist shall be present during vegetation
clearing, grubbing, and grading. Biological
monitors shall visit the site periodically
during construction to ensure that biological
measures are being implemented and may
also be required when work is conducted
close to an established avoidance buffer.
d. Flush Special-Status Species. The
qualified Biologist shall flush special-status
species (i.e., non-nesting avian or other
mobile species) from occupied habitat areas
immediately prior to vegetation removal
activities.
e. Avoid Wild Entraoment:
1. Backfill Trenches. At the end of each
workday, check that all potential wildlife
pitfalls (trenches, bores, and other
excavations) have been backfilled,
covered, or sloped to allow wildlife egress.
Should wildlife become trapped, a qualified
biologist shall remove and relocate it.
GPA2021 0001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
45 526
765
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Gom pliance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
2. Avoid entrapment of nesting or
migratory birds. All pipes or other
construction materials or supplies shall be
covered or capped in storage or laydown
areas atthe end of each workday. No pipes
or tubing of sizes or inside diameters
ranging from 1 to 10 inches shall be left
open either temporarily or permanently.
f. Monitorins Reports. Biologist shall record
any inadvertent impacts to special status
biological resources outside the designated
construction zone in periodic monitoring
reports.
g. Trash. All food-related trash items (such
as wrappers, cans, bottles, and food scraps)
shall be disposed of in closed containers and
removed daily from the project site. Special
attention should also be given to leaving no
microtrash (screws, nuts, bolts, washers,
etc.) at the job site.
h. Liqhtinq. Lighting along the perimeter of
natural areas shall be shielded and oriented
to limit light shine into the natural areas.
GPA2021 0001,2S20210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
46 527
766
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
Pets. No pets shall be allowed within the
project site, to prevent harassment and
mortality to potential special-status
species during construction.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
1. CUL-I Worker Environmental Awareness
Program
Prior to the start of construction on sites that
are currently undeveloped or where
excavation would be to deeper levels than
previous excavation levels as determined
during plan review, the project archaeologist
or their designee shall conduct training for
construction personnel regarding the
appearance of fossils and the procedures for
notifying paleontological staff should fossils
be discovered by construction staff. The
Worker Environmental Awareness Program (
WEAP) shall be fulfilled at the time of a
preconstruction meeting, which a qualified
archaeologist shall attend. This training will
include a printed handout that provides
examples of potential cultural resources. The
WEAP training will be repeated when
construction personnel change and
periodically renewed if the project has a long
duration (more than three months.)
GPA20210001 ,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
47 528
767
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Com pl iance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
2. CUL-? Archeological
Con stru ctio n Mo n ito ri n g
Resource
Prior to the issuance of a grading permit on
sites that are currently undeveloped or where
excavation would be to deeper levels than
previous excavation levels as determined
during plan review, the property
owner/developer shall retain a qualified
archaeologist meeting the Secretary of the
Interior's Professional Qualification
Standards for archaeology (National Park
Service 1983) to be present during all initial
subsurface ground-disturbing construction
activities. At the commencement of
construction activities, an orientation meeting
shall be conducted by the qualified
archaeologist, construction manager, general
contractor, subcontractor, and construction
workers associated with ground-disturbing
activities, The orientation meeting shall
describe the potential of exposing
archaeological resources, the types of
resources that may be encountered, and
directions on the steps that shall be taken if
such a find is encountered.
GPA2021 0001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
48 529
768
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Gom pl iance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
3. CUL-3 Unanticipated Discovery of Human
Remains and Assocrafed Funerary
Ohjects
The term "human remains" encompasses
more than human bones. ln ancient as well
as historic times, Tribal Traditions included,
but were not limited to, the burial of
associated cultural resources (Funerary
objects) with the deceased, and the
ceremonial burning of human remains. These
remains are to be treated in the same manner
as bone fragments that remain intact.
Associated funerary objects are objects that,
as part of the death rite or ceremony of a
culture, are reasonably believed to have been
placed with individual human remains either
at the time of death or later; other items made
exclusively for burial purposes or to contain
human remains can also be considered as
associated funerary objects. The Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act guidance specifically states that the
federal agencies will consult with
organizations on whose aboriginal lands the
remains and cultural items might be
discovered, who are reasonably known to
have a cultural relationship to the human
remains and other cultural items.
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the Native
American
monitor must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA2021 0001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
49 530
769
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Gompl iance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
Therefore, it is appropriate to consult with
local Native American groups as
recommended by the California Native
American Heritage Commission.
Any discoveries of human skeletal material
shall be immediately reported to the County
Coroner. The monitor shall immediately divert
work at a minimum of 50 feet and place an
exclusion zone around the burial. The
monitor shall then notify the Qualified
Archaeologist and the construction manager
who shall call the Coroner. Work shall
continue to be diverted while the Coroner
determines whether the remains are Native
American. The discovery shall be kept
confidential and secure to prevent any further
disturbance. lf the remains are Native
American, the Coroner will notify the
California NAHC as mandated by state law
who will then appoint a Most Likely
Descendent (MLD). The MLD shall provide
recommendations as to the treatment and
disposition of the human remains within 48
hours MLD designation. ln the case where
discovered human remains cannot be fully
documented and recovered on the same day,
the remains shallbe covered with a protective
casinq to prevent further damage or looting.
GPA2021 0001,2520210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
50 531
770
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
TRI BAL CULTURAL RESOU RCES
1. TCR-I Retain a Native American Monitor
lf tribal cultural resources are identified during
future tribal consultation efforts for future
specific development projects or during
construction of such projects, the project
applicant for that project shall obtain the
services of a qualified Native American
Monitor(s) during construction-related ground
disturbance activities. Ground disturbance is
defined as activities that include, but are not
limited to, pavement removal, potholing or
auguring, grubbing, weed abatement, boring,
grading, excavation, drilling, and trenching,
within the project area. The monitor(s) shall be
present on-site during the construction phases
that involve any ground disturbing activities. The
Native American Monitor(s) shall complete
monitoring logs daily to provide descriptions of
the daily activities, including construction
activities, locations, soil, and any cultural
materials identified. The on-site monitoring shall
end when the construction-related ground
disturbance activities are completed, or when
the monitor has indicated that the site has a low
potential for archeoloqical resources.
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the Native
American
monitor must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
GPA2021 0001,25202'l 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
51 532
771
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitorinq
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Comments
2. TCR-2 Unanticipated Discovery of Tribal
Cultural Resources
lf tribal cultural resources are identified during
future tribal consultation efforts for future specific
development projects or during construction of
such projects, a qualified archaeologist and
Native American Monitor shall be present during
construction-related ground disturbance
activities to identify any unanticipated discovery
of tribal cultural resources. The qualified
archaeologist and Native American monitor may
be different individuals or the same individual if
the City determines that individual qualifies as
both a qualified archaeologist and Native
American monitor. All archaeological resources
unearthed by construction activities shall be
evaluated by the qualified archaeologist and
Native American Monitor. lf the resources are
determined to be human remains (see also
Mitigation Measure CUL-3) the Coroner shall be
notified, and if the human remains are Native
American in origin, the Coroner shall notify the
NAHC as mandated by state law, who will then
appoint an MLD, who shall then coordinate with
the landowner regarding treatment and curation
of these resources. Typically, the MLD will
request reburial or preservation for educational
purposes.
Prior to
issuance of a
grading permit
the contract with
the Native
American
monitor must be
provided to the
Director of
Environmental
Services for
approval
Environmental
Services
cPA202'l 0001,252021 0005 PC Staff Report(wl)
52 533
772
RES. NO. SVPC 11-2021
Mitigation Measure When
Monitoring to
Occur
Department
Responsible
for Monitoring
Compliance Verification
lnitial Date Gomments
lf a resource is determined by the qualified
archaeologist to constitute a "historical resource"
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15064.5(a) or a "unique archaeological
resource" pursuant to PRC Section 21083.2(9),
the qualified archaeologist shall coordinate with
the applicant and the City to develop a formal
treatment plan that would serve to reduce
impacts to the resources. The treatment plan
established for the resources shall be in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section
15064.5(f) for historical resources and PRC
Sections 21083.2(b) for unique archaeological
resources. Preservation in place (i.e.,
avoidance) is the preferred manner of treatment.
lf preservation in place is not feasible, treatment
may include implementation of archaeological
data recovery excavations to remove the
resource along with subsequent laboratory
processing and analysis. Any historic
archaeological material that is not Native
American in origin shall be curated at a public,
non-profit institution with a research interest in
the materials, such as the Natural History
Museum of Los Angeles County or the Fowler
Museum, if such an institution agrees to accept
the material. lf no institution accepts the
archaeological material, they shall be donated to
a local school or historical society in the area for
educational purposes.
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MINUTES O
F THE MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
MOBILE HOME RENT MEDIATION BOARD
TREE ADVISORY BOARD
City Council Chamber September 29, 2021
2929 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
1. CALL TO ORDE
R
The regular mee
ting of the Planning Commission of the City of Simi Valley was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALL
EGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Present: Comm
issioners Hodge, and Rice; Vice Chairperson Tolson; and Chairperson Mann
Absent: Commi
ssioner Gray
4. APPROVAL OF
AGENDA
It was the c
onsensus of the Commission to approve the agenda as submitted.
5. APPROVAL OF
MINUTES – September 8, 2021
It was the conse
nsus of the Commission to approve the minutes as submitted.
6. DECLARATION
OF CONFLICT – None
7. PUBLIC STATEMENTS – None
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8. CORRESPONDENCE – None
Deputy Environm
ental Services Director/City Planner Sean Gibson referred to email correspondence regarding item 11.A.1 received from: Michael Greenhut dated 7/27/2021, Joe Scavo dated 9/22/2021, Bill Bellafontaine dated 9/25/2021, Veronica Solis dated 9/28/2021, Cindy Pain dated 9/29/2021, Cassandra Douglas dated 9/29/2021, Bill and Joy Lomenick dated 9/29/2021, Roshawn Helamndi dated 9/29/2021, Aubri Lancaster dated 9/29/2021, Leeds Street Residents dated 9/29/2021, Vernon Gilvear dated 9/29/2021, Elizabeth Whitlock dated 9/29/2021, Max Ghenis dated 9/29/2021, Jennifer Coile dated 9/29/2021, and Douglas Baker dated 9/29/2021, which were include in the supplemental staff report. Lastly, subsequent to the preparation of the supplemental staff report, email correspondence was received from Reese Holland dated 9/29/2021. The supplemental staff report and emails were forwarded to the Commission and placed on the dais.
9. CONSENT CALE
NDAR – None
10. CONTINUED BUSI
NESS – None
11. NEW BUSINESS
A. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. GPA-2021-0001, Z -S-2021-0005; City of Simi Valley : A Public Hearing to consider an update of the Simi Valley General Plan Housing Element for the 2021- 2029 planning period (GPA -2021- 0001) and internal consistency updates to the General Plan, including Land Use Map and Zoning Map Amendments (Z -S-2021- 0005) at selected sites, Community Development and Safety & Noise Chapter updates, and a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the subject requests.
Location: Citywid e
Staff Contac t: Eric Chen
(805) 583-6773
There were no ex parte communications to report.
Environmental
Services Director Stratis Perros gave a brief overview of the Housing Element U pdate and internal consistency updates to the General Plan, including Land Use Map and Zoning Map Amendments; Community Development and Safety & Noise Chapter updates; and a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the request. He discussed the statutory requirements made by California for local governments to meet housing needs and demands.
Mr. Perros
introduced the consultant team of Rincon Consultants and Veronica Tam & Associates.
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Tree Advisory Board Minutes - Page 3 September 29, 2021 Associate Planner Eric Chen gave
a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the
Housing Element update process.
Veronica Tam
gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Comments , Housing Element Revisions, and consequences of non-compliance to the State law.
Lily Rudolph wi
th Rincon Consultants gave a PowerPoint Presentation regarding the General Plan Elements Update and Environmental Review.
Mr. Gibson gave a pr
esentation regarding Land Use and Zoning Map
Amendments. During the presentation he referred to a map showing the areas that would qualify to be rezoned to a higher density. Mr. Perros concluded the presentation with the next steps to be taken for the Housing Element Update.
Commission
questions/comments:
Commissione
r Rice, for clarification, asked if no changes were made to the zoning in one area, would there have to be a zoning increase somewhere else.
Mr. Perros co
nfirmed and stated, in order to retract a zoning increase in one parcel, there would have to be enough land, with the proper zoning , to account for the housing growth. He stated that out of the 2,793 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) parcels, about 1,000- 1,200 parcels that meet the rezoning criteria are needed.
Commissioner
Tolson asked what assurance will there be that the changes being made to the Housing Element will be acceptable to the State.
Mr. Perros respond
ed that the State has already reviewed the City’s documents and provided comments, the housing consultant team was working with other jurisdictions, and believe the changes made will be acceptable.
Commissioner
Hodge referred to an email received from the public regarding the maximum number of units for the Walnut Hills site and asked for clarification on the number of units stated in the staff report, to be built on that site. He also asked for clarity on the zoning increase for the two parcels on Leeds Street.
Mr. Perros
responded that the Walnut Hills site is approximately 12 acres and with the proposed zoning, a maximum of 5 units per acre could be built for a total of about 60 units. Regarding the rezoning of the Leeds Street, Mr. Perros referred to the Leeds Street map on the PowerPoint presentation and stated that the purpose for the zoning increase to this site is due to the close proximity of the Metrolink station. Mr. Gibson followed up by stating that it is proposed to be rezoned from residential very low density to residential moderate density at a maximum of 10 units per acre.
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Tree Advisory Board Minutes - Page 4 September 29, 2021 Commissioner
Hodge asked what the prospective percentage would be for the traffic from the Leeds Street parcels to take arterial streets as opposed to non- arterial streets . He also asked if the parcels to the west of the Leeds Street properties are three separate parcels and if staff will mitigate some of the issues to minimize impact to the residents to the west.
Mr. Perros
responded by referring to a previous project and , based on those studies and formulas, the studies showed that most people take the arterial streets.
He stated if a project were to be done on that location then it would be subject to a traffic study and analysis. In regards to the impact to the residents to the west of the Leeds Street propert ies, Mr. Perros responded that there w ould be a buffer between the west parcel and Leeds Street parcels.
Chairperson Mann
opened the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Speakers via
Zoom:
• Rebecca Albar
ran
• Myleen Eriksen
• Tom Minor
• Tom Sidell
• Jackson Piper
• Dorraine Wolf
• Debbie Fadenholz
• Cassandra Douglas
• Jonathan Duran
• Marina Gatti Porche
• Leonard Porche
• Robert Fallon
• Roshawn Helmandi
• Anthony Ventura
• Alex Perez
• Roop Maan
• Adrian Ford
• Becky Savell
• Dylan White
• Reese Holland
• Pedro Toscano
• Douglas Baker
• Judy Maclean
The majorit
y of the speakers were in support of the Housing Element. A few speakers expressed concerns regarding re-zoning of the Leeds Street and Apricot Road areas.
Chairperson Mann
closed the public testimony portion of the hearing.
The Planning
Commission meeting was recessed at 8:22 p.m., and reconvened at 8:29 p.m., with all Commissioners present except for Commissioner Gray who was absent.
Mr. Perros
addressed some of the questions/comments posed by the speakers regarding affordable housing, Leeds Street, Apricot Road, and addressed the comment regarding the Kadota Fig Farm area.
Chairperson Mann
closed the public testimony portion of the hearing.
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comments:
Commissioner
Hodge asked Mr. Perros to address the logic behind the analysis of the Apricot parcels and the increase density from very low to very high. He also suggested that rezoning the area near Fig Street may provide some relief for the residents on Apricot Road.
Mr. Perros
responded that the areas near Apricot Road has a combination of different zoning and its proximity to arterial streets, transportation, shopping and other city efforts to improve the area, was the reasoning behind the increased density.
COMMISSIONER RICE MOVED THAT THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SIMI
VALLEY ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SIMI
VALLEY RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL
APPROVAL OF GPA-2021-0001 AND Z-S-2021-0005
TO UPDATE THE GEN ERAL PLAN HOUSING
ELEMENT FOR THE 2021-2029 PLANNING PERIOD;
INTERNAL CONSISTENCY UPDATES TO THE
GENERAL PLAN (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
AND SAFETY & NOISE CHAPTERS), LAND USE
MAP AND ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS FOR
SELECTED SITES, ADOPTION OF THE MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION
MONITORING PLAN, AND TO SUBMIT THE DRAFT
2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT TO THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Commissioner
Hodge seconded the motion.
AYES: Commissioner
s Hodge, and Rice; Vice
Chairperson Tolson; and Chairperson
Mann
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Commiss
ioner Gray
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period for the GPA-2021-0001 and
Z-S-2021-0005.
B. OTHER – None
12. ORAL COMMUNICA
TIONS AND REPORTS
A. STAFF
Deputy Environm
ental Services Director/City Planner Sean Gibson advised the Commission of the upcoming agenda for the Planning Commission meeting on October 6, 2021.
B. PLANNING COMM
ISSION – None
C. MOBILE HOME REN
T MEDIATION BOARD – None
D. TREE ADVISORY
BOARD – None
13. ADJOURNMENT
The special meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Simi Valley was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is on October 6, 2021.
Minutes prepar
ed by:
Stephanie Yates
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CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
September 29, 2021
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Sean Gibson, Deputy Environmental Servic
es Director/City Planner
SUBJECT: A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN UPDATE OF THE SIMI VALLEY GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT FOR THE 2021-2029 PLANNING PERIOD (GPA-2021-0001) AND INTERNAL CONSISTENCY UPDATES
TO THE GENERAL PLAN, INCLUDING LAND USE MAP AND ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS (Z-S-2021- 0005) AT SELECTED SITES,
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SAFETY & NOISE CHAPTER
UPDATES, AND A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
MITIGATION MONITORING PLAN FOR THE SUBJECT REQUESTS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning Com
mission adopt a resolution recommending to
the City Council approval of GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021-0005 to: update the General Plan Housing Element for the 2021-2029 planning period; make in ternal consistency updates to the General Plan Elements (including Community Development and Safety & Noise Chapters), Land Use Map and Zoning Map amendments for sel ected sites; adopt a Mitigated Negative Declarati on and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the project, and submit the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element to the California De partment of Housing and Community Development.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The City of Simi Valley is
mandated by California Government Co de Section 65580, et seq., to update its General Plan Housing Element for State certification within a specified timeframe. State Housing Element law requires that the City identify and analyze existing and projected housing needs withi n City limits, and prepare goa ls, policies, programs, and quantified objectives to further the development, improveme nt, and preservation of housing. To comply with State law, the City’s Housing Element must be updated to ensure that the City’s policies and programs can accommodate th e estimated housing growth allocation identified by the State’s determined Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). While the City is not responsible for constructing hou sing units, it must adopt land use policies that allow feas ible opportunities to build ho using units to meet the identified needs.
AGENDA ITEM
NO.
11.A.1
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The City has contracted with Rincon Consultants, Inc. and Veron ica Tam & Associates (the Housing Team) to prepare the 2021-2029 Draft Housing Element (Exhibit 1). The 2021-2029 Draft Housing Element Update, which has been prepared in compliance with California Government Code Sections 65350-65362 and 65580-65589 .8, provides an analysis of the existing and projected housing needs of the Cit y, and incorporates goals and policies designed to preserve, improve, and develop housing to meet the needs of its residents.
The Housing Element Update process includes a robust community participation plan to encourage community input throughout the duration of the project. On February 3, 2021 and March 17, 2021, the Planning Commission and participating residents received the Housing Team’s presentations for public participation process f or the Housing Element Update Program, evaluated strat egies to meet the City’s housing needs, and provided and received public testimony at its public hearings conducted via Zoom. On April 19, 2021, the City Council received a progress presentation on the Housing Element Update, which marked the midpoint of the process.
On April 21, 2021, the Planning C ommission began their review of the areas and sites that could potentially qualify to be counted toward the Housing Element site inventory to help satisfy the RHNA.
On June 1, 2021, the City released the Draft Housing Element fo r public review through the City website ( www.simivalley.org/CEQA), and hard copies were made available at City Hall and the Public Library. The Planning Commission and participating residents reviewed the Draft Housing Element on June 9, 2021. In preparation to forward the Draft Housing Element (Exhibit 1) to HCD for preliminary review, the Housing Team concurrently initiated updates to applicable General Plan Elements (including Community Development (Exhibit 2), and Safety & Noise chapters (Exhibit 3)), the General Plan Land Use Map (Exhibit A of the atta ched Resolution), and the Zoning Map (Exhibit B to the attached Resolution) to ensure that the General Plan, applicabl e elements and parts thereof are integrated and internally consistent as required by State law.
The City submitted its Draft Housing Element to HCD for a 60-day preliminary review for compliance with the State housing law on June 15, 2021 followed by the newly mandated Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) analysis, which wa s submitted to HCD on July 21, 2021. On August 13, 2021, the City received HCD’s Wri tten Findings letter (Exhibit 6). The findings letter indicates that the Draft Housing Element addresses many statutory requirements. However, revisions were necessary to comply with all aspects of the State housing law. The HCD’s Written Findings letter (Exhi bit 6) and the Housing Team revisions to the final Draft Housing Element (Exhibit 1) are incorporated herein.
The next step is the adoption hearings. The Planning Commission will first take action at a public hearing recommending that the City Council approve and authorize submittal of the Housing Element Update and associated environmental documents to HCD. Then, a subsequent public hearing, after which the City Council is requested to take action, will be held at a later date in Octob er or November of 2021. By law , the Housing Element and associated environmental doc ument(s) must be updated, certified by HCD, and adopted by the City Council within 120 days from the due date of October 15, 2021. 542
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FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
Most of the information provided
in the current Housing Element – which was adopted on
February 3, 2013 is still relevant. Updates, including respons es to HCD’s Written Findings and utilization of the most recent data available, have been incorporated in the revised Housing Element to m eet changes in State law. The Hous ing Element Update maintains the same format and organization as the current Housi ng Element and it addresses the need to identify undeveloped and underdeveloped s ites that could be amended to accommodate higher densities in order to assist in meeting the City’s RHNA housing numbers, as well as modi fying the General Plan and Deve lopment Code for consistency
The following summary highlights some of the proposed changes i ncluded in the 2021- 2029 Draft Housing Element Update:
1. The Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) analysis (Exhibi t A, p. 4-100) has been updated utilizing the latest housing allocations developed by the California Department of Housing and Communi ty Development (HCD) and the S outhern California Association of Governments (SCAG). For the 2021-202 9 Housing Element Cycle, the City of Simi Valley has been assigned a RHNA of 2,793 units, divided into the following income categories [based on Area Median Income (AMI)]:
Extremely Low (up to 30 percent AMI) ........................................... 374 units Very Low-income (up to 50 percent AMI) ....................................... 375 units Low-income (51–80 percent AMI) .................................................. 493 units Moderate Income (81–120 percent AMI) ....................................... 518 units Above Moderate Income (>120 percent AMI) ............................. 1,033 units In meeting RHNA, the Availability of Land Suitable for Resident ial Development section (Exhibit 1, page 4-82) has identified selected areas/si tes that the City proposes to rezone to remain com patible with lower-density hous ing while providing opportunities for the “Missing Middle” (range of multi-family or clustered housing types, such as duplexes and triplexes, that are compatible in scale with single-family, walkable neighb orhoods). Generally, these lower -density areas/sites will be rezoned up to the next higher density level and provide opportunities for moderate- and above-moderate income households.
While the Housing Element Update i dentifies all available sites for re-zoning, not all sites need to be re-zoned at this time. Only a selection o f areas/sites were included in the Sites Inventory because the RHNA needs for inco me levels Extremely Low, Very Low, Moderate, etc.; are already satisfied by credits the City has accounted for pending and approved residential projects, pr ojects under construction, and projected ADU development, while ensuring no-net-loss through monitoring. However, all availa ble sites have been identified in case they are required to meet future needs due to net loss.
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The City has limited vacant land zoned for new development, thu s creating a challenge to provide adequate housin g development potential. T herefore, staff looked for opportunities to rezone underutilized lots to provid e development opportunities within the City. T he area as listed below offer the potential for providing additional development within the City and will requi re that the City concurrently amend its Land Use and Zoning Maps. The proposed Land Use Map Changes (Exhibit A to the attached Resolution) and Zoning Map Changes – (Exhibit B to the attached resolution), cover approximately 107 selected sites within the following opportunity areas:
Old Town Area ................................................................. Rezone 8 Parcels Patricia Avenue/Heywood Street ................................... Rezone 40 Parcels Churches on Royal Avenue ............................................. Rezone 2 Parcels Heyneman Lane .............................................................. Rezone 2 Parcels Walnut Hills ...................................................................... Rezone 6 Parcels Apricot Road Area ......................................................... Rezone 38 Parcels Oak Road ......................................................................... Rezone 2 Parcels Los Angeles Avenue TOD – Metrolink vicinity ................. Rezone 9 Parcels Mountain Gate Plaza Area ......................................................... No Rezone Tapo Street Corridor .................................................................. No Rezone
2. Housing Needs Assessment, Persons with Special Housing Needs Section (Exhibit 1, pages 4-19 to 4-21), subsections titled “Farmworkers” and “Extremely Low Income Households” have included more details at the local level, including current data, projections and assessments, and available resources as requested by the State as well as updated policies.
3. Housing Constraints, Emergency Shelter Section (Exhibit 1, p age 4-50) includes more details at the local level, requiring the City to demonstr ate that sufficient capacity exists to accommodate the identified housing need for emergency shelters. Additionally, Employee Housing Section (Exhibit 1, p age 4-52) addresses accommodations and provision of agricultural worker h ousing through Zoning Ordinance Amendments as a response to Health and Safety Code requirements.
4. Housing Resources, Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Acces sory Dwelling Units Section (Exhibit 1, page 4-77) identified that the revise d ADU law has improved its effectiveness at reducing barriers, improving stre amline approval processes, and expanding development capacity of compact housin g to accommodate independent living for small households, and deemed it an essential component in addressing California’s housing needs.
5. Housing Plan, (Exhibit 1, page 4-106) Program 6 titled “Affo rdable Housing Development” specified that the City utilizes a variety of funding sources to assist in the development of affordabl e housing. Therefore, the City will explore the preparation of an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to further add ress affordable housing needs.
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6. The Managed Growth Plan (Exhibit 1, page 4-61), which covers the period January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022, and expires on January 1, 2023, has been updated to address new statutory mandates. Current State law SB 330 an d recently adopted SB 8, the Housing Crisis Act, prohibit the adoption or implementation of growth management programs that set a cap on the number of housing units that can be permitted until January 1, 2030. It should be noted that the City has not been implementing the Managed-Growth Plan since 2019 due to the existing and pending housing laws and the large surplus of units accrued under the current system.
7. The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) (Exhibit 1, page 4-113) is an obligation mandated by HCD to be included in the Housing Progra m. The State Legislature passed AB 686 in 2018 to expand upon the fair housing requirements and protections outlined in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The law requires all state and local public agencies to facilitate deliberate action to explicitly address, combat, and relieve disparities resulting from past patterns of segregation to foster more inclusive communities. Additionally, it created new requirements that apply to all housing elements and were due for revision on or after January 1, 2021.
Public agencies must now examine existing and future policies, plans, programs, rules, practices, and related activities and make proactive cha nges to promote more inclusive communities.
Community Development and Safety and Noise Element Updates
Government Code Section 65300.5 calls for the “General Plan and elements and parts thereof comprise an integrated, internally consistent and compatible statement of policies for the adopting agency”. To comply with this policy triggered by the Housing Element Update, some General Plan Elements (chapters include Community Development/Land Use, Safety & Noise) and the Zoning Map are being revised to ma intain internal consistency. Examples of some major additions and changes inc lude Environmental Justice (the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all p eople regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the developm ent, implementation, and enforcement of environm ental laws, regulations, and policies), and Emergency Preparedness (intergovernmental coordinated evacuation plan, fire protection, urban and wildland fire hazards, public u tilities, land management, etc.). Refer to Exhibits 2 and 3 for the redlined changes to the Community Development and Safety & Noise Elements.
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General Plan and Zoning Amendment Findings
The General Plan and Zoning Amendments are consistent with the following findings:
1. [General Plan Amendment Fi nding (General Plan, Chapter 1, pa ge 1-17)] The General Plan Amendment is in the public interest, is not detrim ental to the public health, safety, and welfare, is otherwise consistent with the General Plan, and that the appropriate environmental rev iew has been completed, before acting on any request. The purpose of the H ousing Element Update and Land Us e Map amendments is to provide for a higher density residential envir onment. Map amendments to Residentia l Moderate Density, Residential High De nsity, and Residential Very High Density for properties identified in Exhibit A of the attached Resolution and in the Draft Housing Element, are intended to be a limited use designation in the (a) the Valley Floor, (b) on arterial streets, and (c) near shopping, transit and other public facilities. Except for a couple of properties that lay outside of the valley floor, the majority of the identified properties are within the valley floor, thus providing the benefits of being close to commercial center s, infrastructure, transportation, etc. These amendments are intended to accommo date infill developments located within ex isting built environments, they a re generally close to commercial services, utilizing existing infrastructure which limits the demand for fiscal resources required to fund additional public services, and minimize environmental impacts as the areas were previously disturbed. The Safety Element Update, Policy S-7.2 New Residential Development in Fire Hazard Areas states that “When feasible, avoid development in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.” To further ensure public health and safety, Policy S-11.7 Climate Change Factors in Capital Planning calls for the City to “Incorporate consideration of cli mate change impacts as part of infrastructure planning and operation. Identify capital improvement programs that should consider climate adaption priorities.” The Initial Study & Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared and released for public comment and is attached (Exhibit 5). These factors, therefore, indicate compliance with the General Plan Amendment Finding.
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2. [Zone Change Finding (SVMC Se ction 9-73.07.A)] The Zoning Ma p change is consistent with the purpose, int ent, goals, policies, programs, and land use designation of the General Plan and any applicable specific pla n. The proposed zoning map changes, increasing residential densities at several sites identified in Exhibit B of the resolution will help ensure that there are ade quate residential development sites for the City in meeting its RHNA requirements . An important component of the project is to prepare an updated General Plan Housing Element in accordance with state law and to ensure that consistency is established throughout the General Plan and Z oning Map. Goal LU-32, Genera l Plan and Zoning Consistency, Policy LU-32.1 Consistency Guidelines in the Community Development Chapter of the General Plan “Require that new development proposals be consist ent with General Plan policies, land us e designations , and zoning.”
The changes to the densities allowed in the residential land us e categories and corresponding zones will ensure consistency between the updated General Plan (including the Housing Element) and the Zoning Map. Additional ly, the proposed Land Use Map and Zoning Map revisions to increase residential d ensities to the subject sites will ensure consis tency of the maps, and will als o provide more opportunities for the City to meet its RHNA requirements for the provision of housing opportunities for extremely low, very low, low, and mod erate-income families as discussed in the proposed Housing Element by provid ing additional opportunities to develop more housing where they are not currently permitted. The public interest is benefitted by the addition of a variety of unit types for a variety of ages and socioeconomic income levels as the Citywide multi-family rental housing vacancy rates is low. To comply with this policy triggered by the Housing Element Update, some General Plan Element s (including Community Develop ment, and Safety & Noise chapters) and the Zoning Map are being revised t o maintain consistency. The list of Zone c hanges is identified in Exhibit B. These factors, therefore, indicate compliance with the Zoning Amendment Finding.
3. [Zone Change Findin g (SVMC Section 9-73. 07.B)] The City has considered the effect of its action upon the housing needs of the region and h as balanced these needs against the public service needs of its residents and against available fiscal and environmental resources, in that the proposed zoning map ch anges, increasing residential densities at several sites identified in Exhibit B of the resolution will help ensure that there are adequate residential development sites to meet the City’s RHNA requirements. The updated Housing Element and General Plan include analysis of the fi scal impacts of the project upon the City, its public service needs, and fiscal and environmental resources. Policy LU-2.1 in the Community Development Chapter of the General Plan calls for the City to “Provide opportunities for a full range of housing type s, locations, and densities to address the community’s fair share of regional housing needs and to provide m arket support to economically sustain commercial land uses in Simi Valley.”
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To ensure the public services needs were met and would not adve rsely impact fiscal and environmental resource s, policies and implementation measures were established throughout the General P lan. Policy LU-1.6 in the C ommunity Development Chapter states: “Fair Share Costs of De velopment. Require new development to contribute its share of th e cost of providin g necessary public services and facilitie s through equitable fees and exactions.” Community Development Policy ED-4.4 states: “Monitor Program and Economic Indicat ors.
Based on the General Plan economic and fiscal studies, evaluate the City’s overall fiscal performance on a regular basis through a monitoring program that tracks key economic and fiscal indicators of perform ance, such as sales, hotel and property tax revenues.” Policy IU-1.2 in the Infrastructure and Mobility Chapter stat es:
“Service for New Development. Requi re new developm ent to provide adequate facilities or pay its fair share of the cost for facilities required to support growth.” Similarly, Policy S-7.8 in the Safety and Noise Chapter calls for: “Funding. Ensure that new developm ents pay a pro-rata share for increased fire protection as necessitated by their construction.” Therefore, the implementation of these, and similar policies contained within the General Plan, will be abl e to balance the regional housing needs against the public services needs of its r e s i d e n t s a n d against available fiscal and environmental resources. These factors, therefore, indicate compliance with the Zone Change Finding.
4. [Zone Change Finding (SVMC Sect ion 9-73.07.C)] The amendment by its terms does not limit the number of housing units which may be constructed on an annual basis. The purpose of the amendments is to provide for a higher density residential environment and to help address the City’s fair share of region al housing needs.
Therefore, these factors indicate compliance with the Zone Change Finding.
Environmental Review and CEQA Requirements
An Initial Study was prepared fo r the project in accordance wit h Section 15063 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines. Based on the results of the Initial Study, it has been determined that the project could ha ve a potentially significant impact on Biological, Cultural, and Tribal Cultural Resources. Refer to Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (Exhibit 5). However, thes e potentially significant impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level through compliance with existing regulations and incorporation of various mitigation measures, included in the Initial Study.
These mitigation measures are listed in the Mitigation Monitoring Plan attached hereto as Exhibit C of the resolution.
Based on compliance with existing regulations, all other enviro nmental effects of the proposal will not be significant. Therefore, in accordance with Sections 15070 and 15072 of the CEQA Guidelines, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was pr epared and advertised for a 30-day public review period from August 26, 2021 through September 24, 2021, and a Notice of Release for Public Review was posted on August 26, 2021. Concurrently, the Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Notification of Intent to Adopt were submitted to the State Clearinghouse to be published to receive comments via CEQAnet.
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Comments on the Mitigated Negative Declaration were received from two agencies during the public review period (Exhibit 7):
1) Letter from the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, dated September 1, 2021, encouraging consideration of jurisdictional channels and drainage facilities during future development; and
2) Letter from the California Department of Transportation, dat ed September 15, 2021, encouraging consideration of transportation management systems in future development.
Staff has reviewed the correspondence and noted the agencies’ respective comments. It has been determined that no modifications to the project or environmental document are necessary as a result of these comments. Any comments received after release of the project’s staff report and City responses thereto will be included as a supplemental report for the public hearing.
Based on the whole record, including the Initial Study prepared for GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021-0005, it is hereby found t hat there is no substantial evidence that the project would have a significant effect on the environment. In that the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration were prepared in coordination with the Cit y, it is hereby found that the documents reflect the independent judgment and analysis of the City.
The following alternatives are available to the Planning Commission:
1. Recommend the Planning Commission adopt a resolution recomme nding to the City Council approval of GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021-0005 to: update the General Plan Housing Element f or the 2021-2029 planning period; make internal consistency updates to the General Plan Elements (including Com munity Development and Safety & Noise Chapters), Land Use Map and Zoning Map amendments for selected sites; adopt a Mitigated Negative Decla ration and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the project, and submit the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element to the California Depar tment of Housing and Community D evelopment.; or
2. Provide further direction to staff.
Staff recommends Alternative No. 1.
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10 GPA20210001,ZS20210005 PC Staff Report(wl)
SUMMARY
The current Housing Element was adopted
by the City Council in October 2013.
According to State law, all jurisdictions within the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) region are required to prepare an update to the Housing Element for the upcoming planning per iod (2021-2029). The City has cont racted with Rincon Consultants, Inc. and Veronica Tam and Associates to prepare th e 2021-2029 Draft Housing Element. By law, the Housing Element and associated environmental document(s) must be certified by HCD and adopted by the City Council within 120 days from the due date of October 15, 2021. The amendments to the Housing Element necessitate several General Pla n Land Use Map and Zoning Map am endments to increase residential zoning density and accommodate additional housing units in the City.
Concurrent with the Housing El ement Update and for internal consistency, the Community Development and Safety & Noise Chapters of the General Plan are also being amended to reflect changes in State Law and to provide consiste ncy between the elements. It is recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a r e s o l u t i o n recommending that the City Council approve of GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021-0005 to update the General Plan Housin g Element for the 2021-2029 plann ing period; internal consistency updates to the General Plan (Community Development and Safety & Noise Chapters), Land Use Map and Zoning Map amendments for selected sites, adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the project, and submit the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element to the California Departmen t of Housing and Community Development.
________________________________
Sean Gibson
Deputy Environmental Services Director/
City Planner
Prepared by: Eric Chen, Associate Planner
INDEX Page
Resolution Recommending Approval of GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021-0005 ............. 13 Exhibit A – Proposed Land Use Map Amendments
Exhibit B – Proposed Zoning Map Amendments
Exhibit C – Mitigation Monitoring Plan
Exhibit 1 – Draft Housing Element
Exhibit 2 – Draft Community Development Chapter (Land Use Element) Exhibit 3 – Draft Safety & Noise Chapters (Safety Element) Exhibit 4 – Climate Ch
ange Vulnerability Assessment
Exhibit 5 – Initial Study & Mitigated Negative Declaration Exhibit 6 – HCD Written Findings – Letter dated August 13, 2021 Exhibit 7 – Comments Received on Initial Study & Mitigated Negative Declaration and City responses
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PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE
HEARING DATE: September 29, 2021
GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021-0005
1. CHAIRMAN: a) This is the time and place set for a public hearing on the consideration of GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021-0005;
to update the General Plan Housing Element for the 2021- 2029 planning period, internal consistency updates to the General Plan (Community Development and Safety &
Noise Chapters), Land Use Map and Zoning Map
amendments for selected sites, a Mitigated Negative
Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the
project, and to submit the Draft 2021-2029 Housing
Element to the California Department of Housing and
Community Development.
b) Are there any ex part e communications to report?
c) May we have an oral report on this matter by staff.
2. STAFF: (Report)
3. ANY
COMMISSIONER: (Questions of staff)
4. CHAIRMAN: We will open the public testimony portion of the hearing.
5. CHAIRMAN: Would staff like to present the project?
6. CHAIRMAN: Are there any questions for staff?
7. CHAIRMAN: Did we receive any requests for members of the public to make a public statement on Zoom for this item and if so, please use the hand raise f unction on your computer or *9 if on your phone, staff will un-mute you when it is your turn.
8. AUDIENCE: (Comments)
9. CHAIRMAN: a) Are there any comments from staff regarding statements made during the public hearing? (Check with Deputy Director/City Planner, A ssistant City Attorney, and staff members in the audience.)
b) If there are no further questions, we will close the public testimony portion of the hearing.
c) Are there any comments or questions from members
of the Planning Commission?
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10. ANY
COMMISSIONER: (Comments)
11. CHAIRMAN: The Chair will now entertain a motion.
12. ANY
COMMISSIONER: I move to adopt a resolution recommending to the City Council approval of GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S-2021-0005;
to update the General Plan Housing Element for the 2021- 2029 planning period, internal consistency updates to the General Plan (Community Development and Safety &
Noise Chapters), Land Use Map and Zoning Map
amendments for selected sites, adopt the Mitigated
Negative Declaration and Miti gation Monitoring Plan for the project, and submit the Draft 2021-2029 Housing
Element to the California Department of Housing and
Community Development.
13. CHAIRMAN : A motion was made by Commissioner ___________. May I please have a reading of the Resolution.
14. RECORDING
SECRETARY: (Reads Number and Title of Resolution)
15. CHAIRMAN : May I have a Second.
16. ANY
COMMISSIONER: I second the motion.
17. CHAIRMAN: Call for the vote.
18. CHAIRMAN: The motion (passes or fails).
19. CHAIRMAN: There is no Appeal period for GPA-2021-0001 and Z-S- 2021-0005, and the item(s) will proceed to the City
Council with the Planning Commission’s
recommendation.
o r
20. ANY
COMMISSIONER: I move continuation of the matter until the meeting of ___.
o r
21. ANY
COMMISSIONER: I move continuation of the matter to a date uncertain.
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The Final MND will be corrected to remove this term as follows (with strikethrough text showing language that will be removed):
Simi Valley is in southeastern Ventur a County, which is part of the South Central Coast Air Bas in (the Bas in), in the inland portion of the Oxnard Plain Airshed, approximately 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
Comment/Response 3
Referring to a statement from page 42 of the MND that “Projects that are proposed under the 2021-2029 Housing Element would be held to different thresholds under the VCAPCD and would thus be required to under go project-specific evaluation to determine specific impacts to air quality, which would occur during the permitting process for that project,” the commenter states that “residential projects are not under t he permitting authority of APCD, as permits are only issued to stationary sources such as commercial or industrial projects. As such, projects would only go through a project-specific evaluation if they are required to comply with CEQA with the City of Simi Valley.” The following changes will be made in the Final MND to clarify which projects would be subject to VCAPCD review (added language is shown in underlined text and deleted language is shown in strikethrough text):
Projects that are proposed under the 2021-2029 Hous ing Element would be held to different thresholds depending on the characteristics of each project.
For exam ple, residential project s are not under the per mitting authority of VCAPCD, as permits are only issued to stationary sources such as commercial or industrial projects. However, even if a project were not subject to VCAPCD review or thresholds, it would sti ll under the VCAPCD and would thus be required to undergo project-specific evaluation by the City to determine if it wer e subject to VCAPCD r eview and/or CEQA. If any project is determined to be subject to VCAPCD review, the City will work with the applicant and VCAPCD to facilitate that review. specific im pacts to air quality, which This evaluatio n would occur during the development re view and permitting process for that each project.
Comment/Response 4
The commenter states that they would like to inform the City of several APCD- administered programs that may aid the City’s 2030 General Plan’s policies (NR-9.3), and that these programs can be recommended as standard conditions of approval for future individual development projects as they undergo permitting revi ew. They then refer the City to APCD incentive programs to reduce air pollutants that are harmful to human health and the environment.
The City appreciates receiving this information, and will consi der using this information and sharing it with project applic ants when reviewing future projects, on a case-by-case basis.
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Comment/Response 5
The commenter states that 2030 General Plan Policies NR-9.4, -9 .5, and -9.6 are enforceable only by recommending standard conditions of approva l that are consistent with APCD Rules 50, Opacity, Rule 51, Nuisance, and Rule 55, Fugitive Dust. They then provide a copy of the standard template for this condition and recommend that it be used for all development projects carried out under the proposed pro ject that will have construction operations and related air emissions.
It is not clear why these polic ies from the 2030 General Plan w ould only be enforceable by recommending the commenter’s standard conditions of approval . Policy NR-9.6 requires the City to evaluate development project applications using the procedures and thresholds established in the most recent version of the Ventur a County Air Quality Assessment Guidelines as published by the VCAPCD and ensure tha t projects incorporate all applicable construction and operation mitigatio n measures contained therein. Committing the City to applying a standard condition o f approval to future development carried out under the proposed project at this time is neither necessary nor appropriate, given that the details of future development at sp ecific sites, its potential impacts, and necessary mitigation measures and other conditions of approval, are more appropriately determined at the time of development review when potential impacts may be more accurately determined. As stated in impact discussion 3 a.b. in Section 3, Air Quality of the MND, all projects would be required to conform to local, State, and federal regulations governing air quality. These regulations may change over time. The City will evaluate how to best condition future project to comply with VCAPCD regulations when reviewing these future projects, on a case-by-case basis.
Comment/Response 6
The commenter states that the statement on page 84 of the MND t hat “GHG emissions are air pollutants subject to local control by the APCD” is incorrect, then goes on to say that “APCD does not have regulator y authority over GHGs, this i s regulated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).”
Since this statement is apparently inaccurate and not necessary for the analysis contained in this part of the MND, the City will address this comment by removing this statement and the sentence following it from the Final MND, as shown below:
GHG emissions are air pollutant s subject to local control by the VCA PCD. As such, the City looks to the VCAPCD fo r guidanc e in the evaluat ion of GHG impacts. In September 2011, VCAPCD staff prepared a report entitled Greenhouse Gas Thresholds of Significance Options for Land Use Development Projects in Ventura County to establish the options for GHG significance thresholds.
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Comment/Response 7
The commenter states that the VCAPCD
strongly advises considera tion of proximity of
proposed housing to high traffic roads, and that the CARB has r ecommended a buffer distance of 500 feet between sensitive land uses and sources of Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs) such as high quality transit corridors. They also point out that the MND states that the 2021-2029 Housing Element would facilitate housing in the city limits and particularly along transportation corridors, including SR 118 and arterial roads such as Los Angeles Avenue.
Impact discussion c in Section 3, Air Quality of the MND evaluates the proposed project’s potential to expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutan t concentrations. It found that individual projects would undergo project-specific City review to determine if nearby uses would expose residential uses to source pollutants in exce ssive amounts, and adherence to City regulations and General Plan goals and policies would reduce impacts to a less than significant level. The details of future development at specific sites, its potential impacts, and necessary mit igation measures and other conditions of approval, are more appropriately determined at the time of development re view when potential impacts may be more accurately determined. The City appreciates the commenter’s input on this topic and will evaluate future projects for their poten tial to expose sensitive receptors to localized pollutant concentrations when reviewing future projects, on a case- by-case basis, through the development review process and, if applicable, under CEQA.
2. Comment letter from CDFW (“Commenter”)
The California Depart ment of
Transportation District 7 (Caltrans), dated September 23, 2021 (attached).
The following is a summary of CDFW comments and staff’s responses thereto:
Comment/Response 1
After an introductory paragraph thanking the City for the opportunity to comment on the proposed project, CDFW explains its authority and role relative to the proposed project (including the fact that it is a trustee agency for fish and wildlife resources and is also submitting its comments as a responsible agency under CEQA) and then summarizes the project. CDFW notes in this introductory section that “This is not to say that each comment below is relevant to each of the Projects discussed in the General Plan, but that the comments listed below should be considered when a specified project may impact any of the biological resources discussed below.”
The commenter states that they are concerned that “Projects” (that is, future development carried out under the proposed project) may support streams subject to notification under Fish & Game code section 1600 et seq, and that these Projects may result in the loss of streams and associated watershed function and biological divers ity, with grading and construction activities likely altering the topography and hydrology of streams. They then explain that this may occur th rough direct physical alteration of streams or through downstream effects from Proje ct-related ground disturbance acti vities and recommend mitigation measures and make other recommendations to address this potential impact. 556
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As explained in impact discussion 10c.(iii) and 10c.(iv) of Sec tion 10, Hydrology and Water Quality of the MND, m
ost areas where l and use changes or new developmen t
could occur under the proposed proj ect would generally result in infill development or redevelopment. As such, implementation of the proposed project would not result in new development that would substantially alter drainage patterns be cause these areas are already developed with existing uses and impervious surfaces. However, development of land that may currently be vac ant and covered with permeable su rfaces, such as bare soil or vegetation, may occur, i ncluding in the Walnut Hills Op portunity Area and the Heyneman Lane Opportunity Area, and natural drainage courses may be altered or affected in these areas. This impact discussion then cites vari ous 2030 General Plan policies applicable to future development requiring preparation of a SUSMP, implementation of BMPs, incorpor ation of stormwater detention f acilities, design of drainage facilities to minimize adverse effects on water quality, and minimization of increases in impervious areas; and explains that these policies would reduce the volume of runoff generated from development sites. It then states that , if development proposes changes to drainages, this would occur in compliance with CDFW Streambed Alteration regulations in order to maintain drainage patterns. The determination of whether or not future development would change dr ainages and be subject to app licable CDFW regulations would be made during the City’s development review process and, when applicable, compliance with app licable City and CDFW policies, standards, and regulations would also be ensured through the City’s developmen t review process and CDFW involvement if required. This would in turn ensure complia nce with the CDFW standards and regulations described in their comment letter. Including mitigation measures in this MND for this impact that would apply to future development carried out under the proposed project is therefore neither necessary nor appropriate, given that the details of future development at specific sites, and its potential impacts, are more appropriately determined at the time of development review when potential impacts may be more accurately determined.
Comment/Response 2
The commenter states that, colle ctively, future development car ried out under the proposed project may result in a significant cumulative impact to special status plants and habitat communities, and increased habitat fragmentation and lo ss of native habitats, from activities such as grading, vegetation clearing for constr uction, and road maintenance. They then recommend a variety of potentially feasible mitigation measures to address this potential impact.
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As explained in impact analysis a of Section 4, Biological Resources of the MN D, there are many goals and policies in the 2030 General Plan that are designed to avoid impacts to the unique sensitive biological resources in the planning ar ea. These include Policy NR-2.6, which requires assessment by a qualified professional for development applications that may adversely affect sensitive biological or wetland resources, including occurrences of special-status species, occurrences of sensitive natural communities, and important wildlife areas and movement corridors. Furthermore, the Opportunity Areas proposed in the 2021-2029 Housing Element consist mostly of infill development in areas already developed with urban uses, and they are generally locat ed away from riparian and other sensitive habitats. This impact analysis then finds that Adherence with the 2030 General Plan goals and policies would minimize impacts from pot ential direct effects to special status species, as they would ensure development in the Opportunity Areas would avoid or mitigate impacts to environmentally sensitive areas, t hus protecting sensitive species, except on undeveloped parcels or parcels with mature t rees and nesting bird habitat, where Mitigation Measure BIO-1, Pre-Construction Biologic al Survey a n d Mitigation Measure BIO-2, Nesting Bird Protection are required; and in the Walnut Hills and Heyneman Lane Opportunity Areas, where mitigation measures BIO-3 through BIO- 9 are required to protect biological resources found to be like ly to occur and be affected in those areas. The conclusion of the MND that compliance with the policies, regulations, and mitigation measures cited and incorporated into the MND wou ld reduce potential impacts to biological resources to a less than significant level remains valid. The City will consider applying CDFW's recommended mitigation measures and ot her recommendations to future development projects on a case-by-case basis depending on their environmental setting and pot ential to impact special status species or sensitive habitats.
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Comment/Response 3
The commenter states that futur e development carried out under the proposed project may impact special status species. They then recommend that fut ure development be required to follow appropriate sur vey protocols for a given spe cies, and mitigation measures for special status reptiles and bats.
As explained in Response 4.2, p otential impacts to special stat us species have already been adequately analyzed, at the appr opriate level of detail for the proposed project, in the MND. The 2030 General Plan includes goals and policies designed to avoid impacts to the unique sensitive biological resources in the planning area, including Policy NR-2.6, which requires assessment by a qualified professional for development applications that may adversely affect sensitive biological or wetland resources, including occurrences of special-status species, occurrenc es of sensitive natural commun ities, and important wildlife areas and movement corridors. The MND also includes mi tigation measures to assess the potential for impacts to special status species and avoid these impacts. For example, Mitigation Measure BIO- 1 requires pre-construction bio logical surveys for projects proposed on undeveloped lo ts; Mitigation Measure BIO-2 requires nesting bird surveys if construction requires any vegetation trimming or tree removal during the nesting bird season, and protection measures if nests are found; and mitigation measures BIO-3 through BIO-9 include various requirements to protect bio logical resources found likely to occur and be affected in the Walnut Hills and Heyneman Lane Opportunity Areas.
The City will consider applying CDFW's recommended mitigation m easures and other recommendations to future development projects on a case-by-case basis depending on the environmental setting of thes e projects and their potential to impact special status species or sensitive habitats.
Comment/Response 4
The commenter states that futur e development carried out under the proposed project has the potential to impact overwi ntering monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), which is an Endangered Species Act candidate listed species and has been documented to occur throughout the region. They then recommend mitigation mea sures for monarch butterflies to be applied to future development.
As explained in responses 4.2 and 4.3, 2030 General Plan goals and policies, as well as mitigation measures already included in the MND, would apply to future development and ensure that potential impacts to special status species such as monarch butterflies would be properly assessed and addressed at the time future developme nt is proposed, when potential impacts of future projects can be most accurately det ermined. The City will consider applying CDFW's reco mmended potentially feasible mitigation measures for monarch butterflies to future development projects on a case-by -case basis depending on the environmental setting of t hese projects and their potential to impact monarch butterflies.
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Comment/Response 5
The commenter expresses concern that future development carried out under the proposed project may directly impact wildlife potentially moving through or seeking temporary refuge on individual project sites. They then recommend mitigation measures and additional recommendations to address this potential impact.
As explained in responses 4.2 through 4.4, 2030 General Plan goals and policies, as well as mitigation measures already included in the MND, would apply to future development and ensure that potential impacts t o special status species wou ld be properly assessed and addressed at the time future development is proposed, when potential impacts of future projects can be most accurately determined. The City wil l consider applying CDFW's recommended mitigation meas ures and other recommendation s to future development projects on a case-by-case basis depending on the e nvironmental setting of these projects and their potential impacts.
Comment/Response 6
The commenter recommends that the City consider an alternative to the proposed project that would fully avoid or minimize impacts to streams, sensitive plants, and wildlife. They also refer the City to a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Pl an (MMRP) included with the comment letter.
As explained in responses 4.1, pot ential impacts to streams are already adequately analyzed in the MND. Furthermore , under CEQA, Initial Studies a re not required to perform alternative analyses as would be required for an Enviro nmental Impact Report (EIR). The City appreciates CDFW providing their MMRP table as a reference for potential future City use. The City will consider applying CDFW's recommended mitigation measures and other recommendations to future development projects on a case-by-case basis depending on the environmental setting of these projects and their potential impacts.
Comment/Response 7
The commenter states that futur e development carried out under the proposed project will be subject to assessment of CDFW filing fees upon filing of Notices of Determination (NODs) for future projects.
The City acknowledges that future projects requiring NODs may be subject to CDFW filing fees.
Attachments: MND Comment letter from the VAPCD, dated September 22, 2021 MND Comment letter from CDFW, dated September 23, 2021
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VENTURA COUNTY
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT
Memorandum
TO: Monica Dionne, City of Simi Valley
DATE: September 22, 2021
FROM: Nicole Collazo, Air Quality Specialist, Planning Division
SUBJECT: NOI to adopt a MND for the City of Simi Valley 2021-2029 Housing Element Update (GPA 2021-0001)
Air Pollution Control District (APCD) staff have reviewed the subject Notice of Intent (NOI) and draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the project referenced above (project). The Lead Agency for the project is the City of Simi Valley . APCD as a Commenting Agency has the following comments about the draft MND as it pertains to air quality and greenhouse gas environmental impact sections.
GENERAL COMMENTS
Air Quality Section