Commission approves 66,431‑square‑foot industrial building at 615 W. Los Angeles Ave.; MND adopted

The Simi Valley Planning Commission on Jan. 22 voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for a 66,431‑square‑foot industrial tilt‑up building at 615 West Los Angeles Avenue and adopted a mitigated negative declaration (MND) and mitigation monitoring and reporting program for the project.

Associate Planner Alex Klingman presented staff's recommendation and the environmental findings, saying an initial study determined the project would not have significant environmental impacts with 17 mitigation measures. Klingman summarized the proposal as a facility with roughly 38,500 square feet of warehouse space, 21,000 square feet of manufacturing, a 6,600‑square‑foot office/mezzanine, 91 parking spaces, and up to 46 staff at the site. She said the project provides about 61,900 square feet of landscaping and complies with the West End specific plan.

Applicant Walter Postal‑Waite (PAC Group) described operations as dry blending of bakery ingredients for industrial customers and said initial staffing would be about 10 to 25 employees and could grow; he said shipping would occur during regular business hours and that second or third shifts would be "very light." The applicant's environmental and engineering consultants presented surveys and technical responses to public comments.

Public commenters included a representative of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, who urged the city to require prevailing wage and use of certified apprenticeship programs so construction hires local workers and benefits workforce development. SAFER (Supporters for Agricultural and Environmental Responsibility) urged the commission to require an environmental impact report, arguing the MND did not adequately address potential biological and air‑quality impacts, citing expert reviews that alleged special‑status species and odor/nuisance concerns.

Staff and consultants responded in the hearing. Staff said the air‑quality report concluded odor generation was unlikely for a dry‑blending facility and that the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District reviewed the IS/MND and did not determine odor impacts. The project's biologist said preconstruction surveys and required mitigation measures would protect nesting birds and would require halting construction and notifying authorities if special‑status species were identified. The project's air‑quality consultant said regulatory controls (including Rule 55 dust controls) and the absence of nearby sensitive receptors supported the MND conclusion.

After discussion and questions from commissioners on hours of operation, tree mitigation and truck turning, Commissioner Rice moved to adopt the resolution approving CUP S‑20230004 and the MND; Commissioner Kennedy seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission noted the appeal period for the conditional use permit is 14 calendar days.