Park District Plans Meeting on Land Dispute

SIMI VALLEY —  An often angry dispute between the Simi Valley park district and homeowners near the Simi Hills Golf Course may finally come to a close at a district board meeting Thursday.

Chairman Don Funk said the board would try to resolve the disagreement with homeowners along Texas Avenue, whose backyards have been found to encroach on district property.

“Some policy, some solution will be in force when we leave that meeting,” Funk said. “We promised that to the homeowners.”

Last year, the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District found that about 40 homeowners had unwittingly encroached over property lines, in some cases building swimming pools that extended into the golf course’s buffer zone. The board has discussed selling the land to the homeowners, but has not yet reached a decision.

If the board accepts the recommendation of the district’s golf committee, a few of the homeowners would have a chance to buy. However, after visiting the site, committee members recommended that none of the properties immediately adjacent to the golf course be declared surplus, a necessary first step in selling the land.

The district needs the property to act as a buffer between the golf course and nearby houses, helping to shield homes from errant balls, according to a district staff report. If the district decides not to sell the land back to the homeowners, the homeowners may have to vacate their encroachments--even if it means moving a fence.

Expecting a large turnout, district officials have moved the meeting to the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center at the intersection of Los Angeles Avenue and Stearns Street. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.