CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
June 23, 2025
TO: City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR DIRECTION ON THE ISSUANCE OF A LETTER OF
SUPPORT FOR A PRIVATE ACCESS EASEMENT TO ALLOW THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENSŌ VERDE RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is requested that the City Council provide direction on the issuance of a support letter to encourage the dedication of a private access easement to Ensō Verde to move the residential care facility project forward.
BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
Kendal is a leading, not -for-profit organization of communities, programs , and services that advocate for and empower older adults to achieve their full potential. Kendal strives to create a safe and non-judgmental space for all individuals to be their authentic selves.
In alignment with Quaker roots and values, Kendal aims to cultivate an environment of compassion and acceptance, psychological safety, trust, and belonging.
As a collaboration of the San Francisco Zen Center, a landmark of American Zen practice, and Kendal, the Ensō Verde project in Simi Valley will offer a radical departure from the conventions of senior living. The proposed 297-unit project will include both independent living options and higher levels of healthcare for those whose needs may change over time. The community will enjoy all -inclusive access to on -campus amenities, as well as additional services, including housekeeping and enrichment programs.
Each Kendal community is considered an “Affiliate” of the larger Kendal System. This means that each affiliate is locally owned and managed by an independent board of directors.
On September 21, 2020, the City Council approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP -S- 822), a General Plan Amendment (GPA-105), a Specific Plan Amendment (SP-S-9) and a Tentative Parcel Map (TP -S-695) to construct and operate a 357 -unit residential care facility on an approximately 20.7-acre site at the southwest corner of Tapo Canyon Road and Guardian Street. As a Condition of Approval, the Ventura County Fire Protection District required that the Applicant must provide two means of ingress/egress to the development in accordance with Fire District access standards , among other access
AGENDA ITEM NO.
9B
2 road-related conditions. To secure a secondary access to the project site, the applicant would need to obtain an easement from one of the adjacent property owners shown on the Site Map below (Parcel A and Parcel B). The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) gave the applicant, Peppertree Ranch, LLC, until September 21, 2023, to inaugurate the project.
Site Map
On February 23, 2023, The Kendal Corporation acquired the property from Peppertree Ranch to develop the Ens ō Verde project. Earlier that month, staff met with the Ens ō Verde Project Team (EVPT) and shared the necessary information to process a time extension application for the Parcel Map and CUP, which was set to expire in September.
A time extension was not filed. Staff also discussed and reconfirmed the need for a secondary access road to the project site and provided some options for EVPT to consider pursuing.
On August 28, 2023, the EVPT submitted an application to modify the original project that included reducing the number of housing units from 357 to 297, design and site changes, and eliminating the need for a Parcel Map . On September 27, 2023 , the City issued an Incompleteness Letter that included a list of items that needed to be addressed, including the need for a secondary access road. Although some conversations have taken place between staff and the EVPT, a new submittal has not been provided to date.
3 FINDINGS AND ALTERNATIVES
On May 7, 2025, Council Member Litster met with Tony Teague, Dennis Russel, and Michael Novak of the EVPT to discuss the project. During that meeting , the EVPT indicated that they have been unable to secure a n access easement from neighboring property owners to satisfy the Ventura County Fire Protection District’s condition of approval. According to the EVPT , they have reached out to the neighboring property owners shown on Map A below (Parcel A and Parcel B) on several occasions to secure an access easeme nt. Unfortunately, they have not been able to reach an agreement.
Alternative access routes have also been explored, and discussions have taken place, but no firm plans have been established to date.
During the May 7 meeting, a request was made to Council Member Litster for a letter of support on behalf of the City of Simi Valley to encourage one of the neighboring property owners to grant an easement. Staff also reached out to the adjacent property owners to gather additional information regarding previous discussions and negotiations and to gauge their interest in working with EVPT. The representative from Parcel A indicated their concern about having residential properties adjacent to their industrial building. The representative from Parcel B did not share any information , but the lack of a formal response after several attempts made it apparent that they are not motivated to work with the EVPT.
It's unlikely that any project can move forward on this site without a secondary access given the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones designation. EVPT believes that a support letter from the City may be able to persuade the adjacent property owners to work with EVPT to grant an easement.
The following alternatives are available to the City Council:
1. Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support expressing the City of Simi Valley’s support for the issuance of a private easement to allow the development of the Ensō Verde residential care facility;
2. Do not authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support expressing the City of Simi Valley’s support for the issuance of a private easement to allow the development of the Ensō Verde residential care facility;
3. Provide staff with further direction.
Staff has no recommendation.
4 SUGGESTED CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MOTION
No suggested motion.
SUMMARY
Ensō Verde is a proposed 297-unit residential care facility that will offer both independent living options and higher levels of healthcare for individuals whose needs may evolve .
For the project to move forward, a secondary access road would need to be established to the site. Given the site restraints, the applicant would need to obtain an easement from one of the adjacent property owners. The applicant has thus far been unsuccess ful in obtaining the easement, so they are requesting a letter of support on behalf of the City to encourage one of the adjacent property owners to grant an easement. Given the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone de signation, it's unlikely that any project can move forward on this site without a secondary access.
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Luis Garibay
Assistant City Manager
Prepared by: Luis Garibay, Assistant City Manager