SIMI VALLEY : Planning Board OKs Wood Ranch Project

The final phase of Wood Ranch, a planned community in the southwest corner of Simi Valley, was approved by the Simi Valley Planning Commission on Wednesday night.

The plan for Long Canyon Village was sent to the City Council even though the project would cause removal of up to 125 oak trees, increased traffic and extensive grading throughout the 1,855-acre plot.

The village would consist of a public equestrian center, 57 ranch-style houses on plots of 10 or more acres, 470 single-family houses and 153 clustered townhouses.

The village’s developers would extend 1st Avenue west to Wood Ranch Parkway to provide access to the property.

Commissioners Michael Piper and Ronald Lenfield voted against the plan, criticizing the density of the housing.

Originally, the Wood Ranch master plan established a higher density of residences along the development’s northern edge at Madera Road, with decreasing levels of density to the south.

“This particular project is in exact violation of their original proposal,” Piper said.

Commission Chairwoman Judy Mikels joined Robert Barrett and Dick Satterlee in voting for the plan.

The City Council is expected to vote on the proposal within a month.