The project team attended the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Street Fair on April 30th, 2022 to discuss the Specific Plan project with the public.
We heard a lot of great feedback from the community. Some key takeaways are listed below.
Overarching Themes
- The City should retain its “small town” atmosphere
- Affordable homeownership is a priority concern for residents, especially for first-time homebuyers
- The specific plans and the economic development strategy update should investigate ways to encourage local businesses (especially restaurants) to stay in the City
- Simi Valley’s natural topography is an asset; the plans should encourage access to the Arroyo Simi and views to the mountains should be preserved
Other Common Sentiments
- Residents want to be able to walk to shops and restaurants; many were concerned with the retail vacancies in and around the specific plan areas
- The specific plans should address pedestrian safety at dangerous intersections
- Potential traffic impacts caused by new dense development are a major concern
- The specific plans should establish that utilities (primarily water) can support whatever level of development the plans allow for
- Some residents desired more senior- or veteran-housing near medical offices/facilities or key neighborhood amenities
- Most residents were comfortable with buildings up to 4 stories in either the Los Angeles Avenue Corridor or Tapo Street Area
- Several residents expressed the need for recreation facilities for teenagers
- Outdoor plazas and pocket parks received overwhelming support
- Residents often have to travel outside the City to neighboring communities like Thousand Oaks to dine-out
- New developments should not be too close to the sidewalk or crowd the street
Note: this is a summary of feedback heard at this event; as additional outreach events are conducted, the project team will continue to revise the project goals and recommendations to reflect the needs of the community.
