Big-Box Retail Stores OKd--With Proviso

After more than 10 hours of hearings that spanned three meetings, the Simi Valley Planning Commission has given the nod to big-box retail stores in the west end of town, as long as they are not general merchandise stores.

In a split vote, the commission last week recommended approval of zoning changes that would allow developers to build a 300,000-square-foot “power center” that would be anchored by a least three large discount retailers on a 45-acre area south of the Ronald Reagan Freeway between 1st and Madera streets.

Concerned about the impact that some discount retailers would have on local merchants, commissioners excluded general merchandise stores such as K-Mart, Target and Wal-Mart from the center. Service stations were also excluded.

“Without knowing what the impact of a general merchandise store would be on local businesses, and believing that it would force people out of business, I didn’t think it was appropriate to allow general merchandise stores,” said commission Chairman Richard Kunz.

The vote would allow specialty discount retailers to build in the area.

“We already have general merchandise stores in town that have met a need in the community,” Commissioner Michael Piper said. “But we do not have the major specialty stores, like electronics, appliance, clothing, furnishing stores. Those are the types of things that we are trying to attract into this area.”

Piper acknowledged that the City Council, which is scheduled to take final action on the zoning changes later this year, is likely to overrule the commission.

The zoning changes were initiated by direction of the council, which has hoped to attract large retailers to the area since 1995.