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Council backs letter of support and forms committee to pursue easement for Enzo Verde senior-housing project
Summary
The council authorized a letter supporting a private access easement for the proposed Enzo Verde residential care facility and formed a select committee to meet with adjacent property owners after staff said the developer needs a second means of ingress required by the Ventura County Fire Protection District.
The Simi Valley City Council voted unanimously on June 23 to authorize the mayor to sign a letter of support encouraging neighboring property owners to grant a private access easement needed for the proposed Enzo Verde residential care facility. The council also created a small committee to meet directly with property owners to explore options.
Assistant City Manager Luis Garabay told the council Enzo Verde is a proposed 297‑unit residential care facility at the southwest corner of Chapel Canyon Road and Guardian Street. Ventura County Fire Protection District requires at least two means of ingress and egress for the development. Because the site sits adjacent to existing parcels, the project team said it has been unable to negotiate a needed easement with at least one neighbor.
Project representatives said they had discussed several options, including creating a secondary access route via Peppertree Lane; the team said it had offered to pay up to $1.5 million to develop Peppertree Lane as a usable emergency access that would also benefit neighboring properties.
Council action and committee: Council member Litster moved and the council approved two items: (1) authorization for the mayor to sign a letter expressing the city’s support for the issuance of a private access easement, and (2) formation of a select committee to meet with the relevant property owners. The motion named Planning Commissioner Lee Kennedy and Council member Litster as committee members and indicated staff assistance from Assistant City Manager Luis Garabay. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Staff said that without an easement or other acceptable second access, Enzo Verde and similar projects on the parcel would be unlikely to proceed. The project proponent and some council members argued the development would bring jobs and residents who would patronize local businesses.
Ending: Council members expressed a preference for in-person outreach to explore neighbors’ concerns and said the committee should pursue a solution that addresses both emergency-access requirements and neighbors’ needs. The council did not commit city funds to build access improvements; the project team said the developer would fund construction if an agreement is reached.
