Joint Planning Deserves Praise

* I am writing to congratulate the Simi Valley city staff and New Urban West Inc. on their collaboration regarding a measure that was presented to the Planning Commission on July 30. The measure, which the city attorney and NUWI worked together to refine, concerns responsibility for certain common area landscape maintenance in Long Canyon and other Wood Ranch developments.

As co-president of Friends of Long Canyon and president of Simi Valley/Moorpark Assn. of Realtors, I attended the hearing and was impressed with the way the city worked with the developer to craft language that protects the city’s long-term interest and protects individual homeowners from being held personally responsible for maintenance beyond their proportionate obligation.

The measure is fair and consistent with the concept of collective responsibility. I understand that the City Council has adopted the same measure for use as citywide policy. And while it has received little attention in terms of press coverage, I believe both the city and New Urban West deserve kudos for working together on this important issue.

THERESA BERENGER

Friends of Long Canyon

Simi Valley