58-home project advanced, tree removal debated

Commission Greenlights Cochran Street Development

The Simi Valley Planning Commission has unanimously approved a proposal to build a 58-home gated neighborhood on Cochran Street. The 5-0 vote, cast during the commission's July 22 meeting, advances a nearly 20-acre residential project that has been the subject of local debate regarding tree preservation, traffic, and privacy.

According to the Simi Valley Acorn, the developer, Colton Lee Communities, proposed the project for 6024 Cochran Street. The plans include 58 detached single-family homes, a neighborhood park, a dog park, and a privately maintained trail system. The vote represents a significant step forward for residential development in the area, balancing the city's ongoing need for housing with local demands for environmental preservation.

Balancing Housing Density and Open Space

A major factor in the commission’s approval was the project's relatively low density. The property’s current zoning allows for a maximum of 114 homes. By proposing only 58 homes, the developer is leaving roughly 75% of the 20-acre property as landscaped or open space.

Planning Chair Lee Kennedy praised the applicant for taking a "cluster development" approach, noting that the builder did not request density bonuses or other concessions frequently sought in similar residential projects. Commissioner Ivana Christmann echoed this sentiment, stating that the development reflects Simi Valley’s identity as a community rooted in single-family neighborhoods. Furthermore, the site's new life as a residential subdivision is widely viewed as a more favorable alternative to a previously proposed multi-story medical office building that had been considered for the location.

Debate Over Protected Oak Trees

The most contentious aspect of the approval centered on the proposed removal of five protected trees slated to be taken out during the grading phase. The trees include three native valley oaks, one coast live oak, and one Aleppo pine.

Loren Klick, a Simi Valley resident and board-certified arborist, urged the planning commissioners to preserve at least two of the native valley oaks situated closest to Cochran Street. Speaking at the meeting, Klick emphasized that mature trees grown naturally within the community provide ecological and aesthetic value that cannot be immediately replicated by nursery stock.

Gary Gorian, president and managing partner at Colton Lee Communities, acknowledged the desire to keep the trees but stated they were ultimately deemed unsalvageable. Gorian explained that the company investigated relocating the oaks but deferred to their arborist's assessment, which found that all the oaks on the property were in poor condition and were not suitable candidates for a move.

To mitigate the loss, the developer plans to plant 136 new trees across the site, 17 of which will be oaks. Commissioner Ken Rice noted that there was "a lot to like" about the proposal but expressed reservations about the removal of the mature trees. He urged the developer to work closely with the city landscaper to ensure the incorporation of native trees and plants in the final designs.

Residents Voice Concerns Over Privacy and Traffic

While the commission was largely unified in its support, several Simi Valley residents living near the proposed site raised practical concerns about how the new neighborhood will integrate with the existing community.

Objections included the potential for traffic congestion on Cochran Street, drainage issues, and a lack of traditional sidewalks within the proposed neighborhood's private streets. The development's trail system also drew scrutiny, as the proposed route overlooks neighboring backyards, prompting privacy concerns. Furthermore, the specific placement of the proposed dog park was questioned by some locals. Despite these concerns, other residents maintained that the 58-home community is a vast improvement over the previously planned medical complex.

What Comes Next for the Gated Community

Before breaking ground, the project will likely need to be finalized through the city's standard permitting and administrative processes. Once completed, the gated development will feature three distinct floor plans showcasing Spanish, farmhouse, and Craftsman architectural styles. These designs will yield 18 exterior variations throughout the neighborhood.

Parking and infrastructure will be managed through a homeowners association (HOA). The HOA will be responsible for maintaining the private streets, parks, trails, and other common areas. Each home will come equipped with a two-car garage and a two-car driveway, supplemented by 51 guest parking spaces distributed throughout the residential layout. As the project moves toward the construction phase, the developer will need to work alongside city officials to finalize landscaping plans that address the commission's requests for native plant integration.