Brian,
Any truth to the rumors that a simi valley planning commisioner will be running for city council?

Paul Miller has my vote.

Mitch, I ahve not heard that rumor. You can post more information here or e-mail it to me.

Arleigh, what is your number one reason for supporting Paul Miller?

Brian,
I heard a rumor that Dantona's son - a simi valley planning commisioner - will be running for city council if his father wins in June. Can you confirm this? You always seem to break that kind of information here.

Brian,
Jim Dantona, Jr. is my planing commissioner. As there is no truth to the rumor that he will be seeking a seat on the City Council.
Barbra Williamson

Brian,
I admire Paul Miller because he seems to really want to represent everyone in the City and really seems to have the City's best interests at heart. I also heard him give a speech in favor of the local school bond that was very impressive.

I recieved a tip that Bill Davis will not be running. His wife wants him around more than being mayor allows.

Now, that is love.

Why do we need a planning commission?

Barbra,
Thank you for dispelling that rumor. What do you mean he's your commissioner? Isn't the planning commission elected by the residents of Simi Valley? I'm not clear how it works here.

Planning commission is appointed in Simi. Good question about why are they needed. I know Mayor Miller was not happy that they approved the roof for the gas station on Madera and Cochran, he said it was "ugly". That project never went before the Council and now it is taking forever. Also when do they break ground on the Tapo project at the old Pick and Save?

Arleigh,
The way things move around Simi, ground breaking will be in 5 years. Why does a project take so long to begin and then take years to complete? Couldn't projects with affordable components be "fast-tracked"? I still don't understand this about Simi.

Arleigh and MItch,
In 1990-92 I was a Simi Valley Planning Commissioner (appointed by Council Member Bill Davis). Each Planning Commissioner is selected by one Elected Official...Larry Fried was selected by Glen Becerra, MIke McQuigin was selected by Steve Sokja, and Tim Shannon was Michelle's pick. They are then appointed by the Mayor...but each Council Member picks an appointment, and they serve at the pleasure of the entire City Council. I have never contacted my commissioner and requested he vote a certain way on a project. He votes his own mind, and I am sure that is the way the rest of the council work with their choice. Planning Commissioners are a very important part of our community. They make decisions based on the General Plan and zoning ordinances...they are not, and should not be a political body. If they tend to lean that way, they could be ask to leave the commission. And yes, the gas station DID come before the Planning Commission AND the City Council, but I can understand why you wouldn't remember as it was over 8 years ago. It was part of the Jack in the Box project, and the Specific Plan on Cochran Street. n I understand that this station is not being built by a large gas company like Chevron or Unocal, but a private dealer. I don't know what brand.
As far as Tapo Street is concerned, all is finished with the city as far as the applicant getting passed the Commission and Council. From what I understand they are putting the last touches on it before breaking ground.
Mitch....Government has NEVER been fast....it drives me crazy!!!!

Barbra

Barbra,
Thanks for the clarification. I'm looking forward to the Tapo project as that street still needs a lot of help to revitalize. I remember as a kid that Tapo Street was the place to shop in Simi. I think mixed use is the way to go and I still think we need more affordable housing added in Simi. Just out of curiosity, who appointed Dean Kunicki to the planning commission when he was on it?

Arleigh,
While this is a little off topic (sorry Brian), I agree that we need more affordable housing units in Simi. I believe the City is working to address this issue in several ways.
- The Affordable Housing Subcommittee meets regularly to discuss the affordable components of proposed projects;
- The City's development queue places emphasis on projects with affordable components;
- The City encourages builders by subsidizing (through various ways) affordable housing units.
Perhaps the biggest challenge with affordable housing units is the stigma that is associated with it. A great example of this is the Habitat for Humanity project in Simi. The first time this project was brought to the public, there was an uproar. Several years (and community meetings) later, the project was approved and is now moving forward. (By the way, being a Habitat volunteer, Simi will be blown away by the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the spirit of community that will decend upon the project.)

I would, however, like to see the City do a little more in educating the public about the benefits of affordable housing units. I believe a little education can go a long way in busting the myths associated with affordable (as well as multi-family) housing and changing the perception that affordable means substandard or poor.

Barbra,

Excellent comments as always, providing clarity, understanding and TRUTH where rumors abound.

Barbra,
You forgot to say whose appointment Dean Kunicki was, I'm just curious. Thanks.

Hi All,
Dean Kunicki was appointed by Retired Mayor Bill Davis.
The City has a very unique wqay of working affordable housing into our everyday life....Anyone want to take a stab at how the city accomplishes this?
Although NO city will ever have enough affordable housing, you can be proud that "your" city of Simi Valley certainly leads the pack in Ventura County as far as the number of units that have or are being built. All the city can to is request that the builder consider affordable units when building and offer them some incentive, but when push come to shove we can't make them....
As far as educating the general public about affordable housing, they don't want to be educated...and you hit the nail (pardon the pun) on the head when you mentioned Habitat For Humanity. The residents, not all, but a good many, who live in Madison County Track had a major fit when they heard about the project. One lady called me and went on about her $650,000 home and how she had lived here for almost 3 years, and had she known this was going to be in her back yard, she wouldn't have moved here. I suggested that perhaps she could go back to where she came from, which I assumed was the Valley! :)
Barbra