Simi Valley · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Simi Valley public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City Council Election
Ten people are running for Simi Valley City Council, and the winners will make calls on housing and traffic that affect daily life. If you live, drive, or rent or buy here, this election is worth a look.
Mayoral Election Candidates
Simi Valley is electing a mayor, and the candidates are now introduced. Your vote will shape city decisions for years, so it's worth a quick look at who's running.
East Cochrane Street cluster development concerns
Colton Lee Communities won approval for 58 single-family homes on a vacant 19.53-acre hillside at the east end of Cochran Street, with dog parks, pocket parks, and a private trail system but no sidewalks. Adjacent homeowners raised privacy, trail liability, traffic, sewer, and tree-removal concerns.
New Transit Center at Civic Center site
Simi Valley is replacing its interim transit stop on Tapo Canyon Road with a permanent transit center at Tapo Canyon and Avenida Simi, featuring eight bus bays, a solar canopy and electric bus chargers. It moves buses out of the bike lane and should improve safety, but neighbors worry about traffic near the library and tree losses.
Mandatory annexation of seven county islands
State law and LAFCo policy mean annexing the 40-plus-acre North Canyon site forces the city to also annex seven of nine county islands — over 400 lots and roughly 300 acres. Island residents strongly object, saying they want to stay unincorporated; the commission asked the Council to delay annexation as long as legally possible.
North Canyon Ranch 207-unit development and annexation
A 160-acre vacant hillside site north of First Street would become 207 homes — 157 single-family and 50 townhomes (possibly senior housing) — with about 68% open space, two parks, and the First Street-to-Falcon Road connection. The Planning Commission recommended approval, but the City Council makes the final call.
58-home hillside development on East Cochran Street
Colton Lee Communities won approval for 58 single-family homes on a vacant 19.53-acre hillside at the east end of Cochran Street, with dog parks, pocket parks, and a private trail system but no sidewalks. Adjacent homeowners raised privacy, trail liability, traffic, sewer, and tree-removal concerns.
Lost Canyons Development Modification & Open Space Expansion
The developer of the 1,770-acre Lost Canyons project wants to remove the closed golf course and shift 178 approved homes from the south side of Lost Canyons Drive to the north side. While this increases open space from 43% to 89% and spares sensitive canyons from grading, neighbors raised heavy concerns about building more luxury homes in a high fire-risk area.
Oak tree removal for Oak Road development
The 60-unit Oak Road project requires removing 52 of 53 mature trees, including five valley oaks — one possibly 300 years old. Commissioners and residents clashed over whether the city's tree ordinance has any teeth. The commission forwarded the project with a request that staff try to preserve the trees.
Attainable homeownership and housing affordability
The Oak Road project includes three very low-income units priced around $130,000, aimed at buyers shut out of the market. Supporters called it a rare affordable ownership product; the city is far behind its state housing goals in this category.
Short Term Rental concerns
A resident told the commission that all four Simi Valley neighborhood councils voted to reject the city's proposed short-term rental rules, backing a 435-signature petition for an outright ban instead. The rules will eventually come before the Planning Commission.
Density Bonus and Incentives update
The commission recommended raising the density bonus cap from 35% to 50%, allowing stacked two-tier bonuses under AB 1287, and offering incentives including further parking reductions. Commissioners worried it won't help affordability and parking is already too low.
Popeyes drive-through at 2401 Tapo Street with mobile home park improvements
After months of debate, the Popeyes project got the green light with new protections for the Garden Grove mobile home park next door: a taller wall, limited hours, and better parking. The park's owners say the restaurant revenue is what lets them keep rents affordable for long-time tenants.
Residential Parking Permits
Tired of fighting for parking on your own street? Simi Valley is considering residential parking permits. This could mean designated spots for residents, but you'll want to stay tuned for the specifics.
Mayoral Appointment
Simi Valley has a new mayor, and it's Councilmember Dee Dee Cavanaugh! She's stepping into the top spot, and residents are curious about what her leadership will mean for the city.
Water Restrictions
Simi Valley is cranking up the water restrictions, meaning you can only water your lawn for a measly 10 minutes a week. Get ready to let your grass go a little wild to save precious water.
City Manager Appointment
Simi Valley's City Council has a new City Manager! This person will be in charge of the city's daily operations, so it's a pretty important hire for how things get done around here.
Zoning Dispute
Simi Valley lost a court battle over a senior housing project it tried to block. A judge ruled against the city's zoning decision, paving the way for the project to move forward.
Debt Refinancing
Simi Valley dodged a bullet! The city council wisely decided NOT to take on risky new debt to pay off their massive CalPERS pension bill. This move could save taxpayers a bundle.
Election System Change
Simi Valley's City Council just voted to switch from at-large elections to a district-based system. This means future council members will be elected by voters in specific geographic areas, potentially changing who runs and who wins.
Electoral System Change
Simi Valley's city council is considering a big change to how you vote for them. They might ditch the current 'at-large' system for one where you vote for council members representing specific neighborhoods. This could totally change local politics and how your vote matters.
Open Meeting Law Violation
Looks like some Simi Valley council members might have been breaking the law by holding secret meetings. The DA's office says they violated open-meeting rules, which is a big deal for how transparent City Hall is.
Sanctuary State Discussion
Simi Valley is talking about the sanctuary state issue again. Expect a lively debate at the June 25th city council meeting.
Sanctuary Laws
Simi Valley is taking a stand against California's sanctuary laws, becoming the first city in the county to do so. This decision could change how the city works with state immigration policies.
Waste Management Contract
Simi Valley is handing over its trash collection to a single company, Waste Management. This means one company will likely handle all your garbage and recycling pickup going forward.