City of Simi Valley
Staff Report
J
une 8, 2026
T
o: City Council
Fr
om: Department of Environmental Services
Stratis Perros, Environmental Services Director
S
ubject: A public hearing to consider a request from Sentry Property Group, LLC for a General Plan Amendment (GPA -2024-0001), Zone Change (Z -S-2024- 0003), Planned Development Permit (PD -S-2024-0005), Tentative Map (TT-2024-0004), and Affordable Housing Agreement (AHA -2024-0003) to change the General Plan Land Use designation from Moderate Density and Medium Density Residential to High Density Residential, change the Zoning designation from Residential Moderate Density (RMod) and Residential Medium Density (RM) to Residential High Density (RH), to construct a new 60-unit, multi -family residential condominium development with three affordable units on a 5.72- acre site located at 1761, 1801, and 1807 Oak Road; a determination that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; introduction of an ordinance, and adoption of resolutions
S
ubsequent to preparation of this staff report, the applicant provided additional documentation providing further information on the health and viability of Tree T -1, and how site planning constraints limit preservation of the largest oak trees on the site.
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repared by: Naren Gunasekera, Principal Planner
A
ttachments:
A
ttachment A – Arborist Oak Tree Report Addendum Letter II Attachment B – C&V Consulting Inc., letter on Tentative Tract Map No. 6129, oak tree removals
Supplemental
Agenda Item No.
5A
Oak Road South Owners, LLC
Sentty Property Group
c/o 530 Technology Drive, Suite 100
Irvine, California. 92618
Attn.: Sal Provenza, Curt Crandall
SUBJECT. SITE:
OAK TREE REPORT
ADDENDUM LETTER II
May 30, 2026
OAK ROAD SOUTH TREE T-1
PROPERTY AT 1807 OAK ROAD
IN THE CITY OF SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
GENERAL PURPOSE
On May 29, 2026, a Field Visitwas conducted to observe and determine the current and projected condition of Valley Oak Tree T-1 (Quercus lobata), as it is now and will be impacted by development construction on the City Ventures (Oak Road) and the proposed Sentry Property Group (Oak Road South) propert'res. The Field data will be used here'rn to study the effects of those impacts from proposed development construction activities.
FIELD AND CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATIONS
Oak Tree T-1 is located at the approximate east-west center of the northerly property of Oak Road South, about thirty feet (30') south of the northerly property boundary, which adjoins the southerly boundary of the Oak Road (City Ventures) property line. At present, the Oak Road property Project in underway and some grading and over-excavation has been conducted along their southerly property. Some of this grading includes a rectangular "pit", which is at Oak Tree T-1's northeasterly dr·IpHne and Protected Zone. The southwestern corner of th'rs "p'rt" 'rs about ·seven feet (±7') below the base of a common property line block wall and general grade of Oak Tree T-1's trunk base. The "pit" itself is about four feet (±4') deep, with about three feet (±3') of minor slope down from the bottom of the property line block wall to the top of the edge of the "pit" excavation. It appears that the bottom of the "pit" has been compacted in_ lifts with a "sheep's foot roller," so the total depth of the . . .
Attachment A
2 "pit", and its base elevation relative to the trunk base of Oak Tree T-1, is unknown. In any event, this "pit" and the anticipated grading along the property line, will affect the northerly root zone of Oak Tree T-1.
The proposed new Oak Road South Project will, also by necessity, create grading and over excavat"1ons which are requ"ired by Project Codes, "in the area of Oak Tree T-1. A proposed east-west street and five of six housing units, along the Oak Road South's northerly property, are within Tree T-1's dripline and Protected zone.
Because Oak Tree T-1 is in a below average health condition, due to its thinning canopy, prior dehiscing of many branches, its codominant trunks/scaffolds, crossing branches, excessive horizontal branch growth, deadwood, epicormic growth, now less than average shoot-growth, water trap and trunk exudation, all of which make this Oak Tree a "C-" or less in condition. See attached "Guide for Judging Condition of Landscape Trees" evaluation Form. The thinning canopy, prior branch drop, codominant trunk/branches with included bark, less than average shoot-growth alone indicate a overly mature declining Tree.
NOTE:
With a degree in Landscape Architecture, minoring in Arboriculture/Forestry/Civil Engineering, over fifty years of observing and reporting on the condition of Oak Trees, a contributor to the initial 1974 and updates of the City of Thousand Oaks Oak Tree Ordinance/Tree Preservation and Guidelines, over-the-years serving as a Contract Consulting Arborist with the Cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Camarillo, Moorpark and Thousand Oaks (30 years), makes me uniquely qualified to evaluate, report on and prepare opinions and recommendations for the condition and disposition of Oak Tree T-1. as well as any other native Oak Trees in Southern California.
DISPOSITION AND SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION
As I see it, there are three (3) scenarios for the disposition of Oak Tree T-1.
1. Oak Tree T-1 to remain in place
2. Oak Tree T-1 to be relocated on-site
3. Oak Tree T-1 to be relocated off-site
1. By an industry standards formula, Oak Tree T-1 'sage average is in the neighborhood of four hundred (400) years, which makes it an overly-mature specimen. Normally, any Tree in excess of three hundred and fifty (350) years and older is considered overly mature and subject to a HIGH risk designation. By its age and condition maladies, shown above, Oak Tree T-1 is at risk for damage to persons and/or property if remaining in place for the proposed Sentry Property Group Project.
2. Oak Tree T-1 is in a declining state and too large to relocate on-site without losing the Tree or losing significant Community and/or multiple Housing Units for the proposed Sentry Property Group Project. Transplant survival rate of Oak Tree T-1 is estimated to be in the ten to twenty percent (10-20 %) range.
3 3. Oak Tree T-1 is in a declining state and too large to relocate off-site, as roadways and vertical clearances are too limited.
Therefore , it is my opinion and recommendation that Oak Tree T-1 , at the Oak Road South property, be removed in order for the proposed Sentry Property Group Project to be approved.
Richard W. Campbell, ASLA , BSLA
P. 0 . Box 6192 Consulting Arborist
Thousand Oaks, California 91359
Telephone (805) 375-1010
Web site= www.rwcampbellasla.com
Email = rwcampbellasla@verizon
Cordially,
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,
\.-~~- ... ::, ,
Richard W. Campbell, AS.LA., 8 .L.A.
Landscape Architect/Consulting Arborist
California License# 1099, Nevada License #14
4 9830 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 9I6-3800
June 3, 2026
Oak Road South Owners, LLC
c/o Sentry Property Group, Inc.
530 Technology Dr., Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92618
RE: TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 6129
1761 OAK ROAD
EXISTING OAK TREE REMOVAL
Dear Oak Road South Owners, LLC
This letter is provided in response to the City’s concerns regarding the three large existing oak trees that need to be removed to support the project development.
The three existing oak trees lie within locations that directly conflict with project private streets “B” and “D”. These street locations and associated project circulation for the overall site plan are required by the Fire Department and have been approved by the Fire Department for project fire access. Additionally, within these streets are proposed underground utilities including sewer, water, storm drain, and dry utilities. These underground facilities will range in depths of 3 to 9 feet. The excavation and installation of these facilities will require trenching through the critical root zones of the trees, likely compromising their health and long term viability. Lastly, there will be earthwork and grading activities required where the trees are located. Soils will be removed and recompacted with heavy equipment at depths up to 5 feet to provide suitable soil stabilization for building foundations, and this activity will likely further disturb or damage the trees. As such, we support the recommended removal of the trees for the development to proceed.
If you should have any questions or need additional in
formation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
C & V CONSULTING, INC.
___________________
Ryan J. Bittner, PE
CEO
P:\W\WDLA-002\Admin\Letters\2026-06-03 Simi Valley, Tree Letter.doc Attachment B
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