(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — A 26-unit townhome project planned for a portion of church-owned property on Cochran Street will be one of the topics discussed at the Simi Valley City Council meeting today, March 31. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. Community members can attend in person or speak during the public hearing.
According to the staff report, the developer, City Ventures Homebuilding, LLC, is asking the city for approval to build the homes on the southern half of a 2.58-acre lot at 4868 Cochran Street. The northern half of the property is home to the Korean Baptist Church, which will remain in place.
The plan calls for four three-story buildings with 26 townhomes. These would be owner-occupied units, with layouts ranging from one to four bedrooms. Three of the homes would be set aside for moderate-income buyers. In exchange for including affordable housing, the developer is asking for six waivers under California’s State Density Bonus Law, which allows certain concessions in projects that include affordable units.
If approved, the affordable homes would be income-restricted for 45 years under an agreement between the city and the developer.
The city’s Planning Commission reviewed the project at a public hearing on February 5 and voted 5-0 to recommend that the City Council approve it. At that meeting, the commission also approved a change to the existing permit for the church to make way for the new development.
City staff noted that the project is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, since it falls into a category of developments not expected to have significant impacts.
The site is already zoned for high-density housing and fits within the city’s general plan, which encourages housing options in developed areas and supports the creation of more affordable units.
The City Council is expected to vote on two separate items related to the project: one to approve the overall development and parcel map, and another to approve the affordable housing agreement.
The public hearing is listed as item 5A on tonight’s agenda. Residents can speak during the hearing at City Hall or watch the meeting live on Spectrum Channel 10, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, the city’s website, or YouTube.
