Panel OKs Plans for Shopping Center

The Simi Valley Planning Commission voted early Thursday to approve plans for a three-building shopping center that would include a Wal-Mart and Home Depot.

The unanimous vote came after more than five hours of discussion that focused on aesthetics, including sign size, landscaping and street lighting.

“This is truly going to be one of the nicest-looking buildings around,” Commissioner Dean Kunicki said.

As planned, the 308,000-square-foot Simi at the Plaza retail center--which would house the Wal-Mart and Home Depot in addition to a PetsMart and two as yet undetermined tenants--would be built on a 34-acre site along Madera Road and Cochran Street. As part of the project, the city has agreed to fund the extension of Cochran Street from 1st Street to Madera Road.

Commissioners said early in the hearing that they favored approval, but had reservations about many of the design details.

Specifically, commissioners decided to limit the number and size of signs along the center’s decorative facades to eliminate clutter, and forced Home Depot to raise its fences around the garden center to keep the area hidden from view.

Commissioners also rejected a plan for a sidewalk along Cochran Street, and decided to limit the size and color scheme of signs at the entrance to the center.

The project, which would be the largest commercial development in the city’s history, never encountered any serious criticism from either officials or residents. At Wednesday’s meeting, many residents voiced their support for the project, labeling it a credit to the city.

One woman even called it one of the finest developments in the country.

The City Council must still consider some aspects of the project, mainly road right of ways, but is expected to pass the project with full support. Construction could begin early next year.