Letters  of  concern  regarding  Sinaloa  Park  must  be  sent  to  Elected  Officials,  City  Council,  City  Hall ,  City of  Simi Valley  Planning ,  Rancho Simi Recreation Park  District,  Rancho Simi  Park Board of Directors, Local  Newspapers,  and  all  other  forms  of  available  media.  

For  names  and  addresses  please  check  the    Who to Contact   page

Links  to  E-mail Addresses  are  also  included on  the  "Who to Contact" page  to  express  your  feelings  via  email  instead  of  formal letter-writing . . .  the  bottom line  is  to  be  sure  and  make  your  personal  feelings  known  regarding  Sinaloa  Park  as  quickly  as  possible !

Letters  sent  directly  to  the  Ventura  County  Star  newspaper  should  be  sent  via  email  (email is preferred)  to   letters@venturacountystar.com

Letters  sent  directly  to  the  Simi Valley Acorn  newspaper  should  be  sent  via  email  (email is preferred)  to   simi@theacorn.com

Note:  Letters  should  be  limited  to  300  words  or  less. When emailing letters remember to include your full name (not partial initials), full home street address and phone number on each letter you submit for verification purposes.

Please . . .
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To:       Simi Valley Planning Commission and  City Council Members

From:   Joe  Schmidt                    

Re:       Sinaloa Park  -  Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District

Date:    May 13, 2010

I have been a resident of Simi Valley for nearly 40 years,  and  for the past 17 years live very close to the Sinaloa Golf Course. 

The current  planned redevelopment of Sinaloa Golf Course,  980  Madera,  Simi  Valley  must  be  more  carefully  evaluated  and  definitely  studied  further by  the  Simi Valley  Planning  Commission  and  Simi Valley  City  Council.

To locate such a venue in a “Residential Neighborhood” or better yet on the busiest traffic artery in and out of the West End  of Simi Valley is absolutely ludicrous.  A zone change or  modification would be a mistake and it would not change the fact that the surrounding area  is  95%  residential . . .  it just  brings unforeseen and unneeded change, lowers  property  values  and  just forces the current residents to deal with negative impact or maybe even be forced to move from the area which is unfair and unwarranted.

Many neighbors and current residents near the proposed project site have voiced their opinions and are extremely concerned with the increased traffic (which are already at unsafe levels without Target, LA & Madera Housing Project & Wood Ranch Professional at full capacity), environmental impact, amplified music, late hours and increased vehicle and noise pollution. All of which will certainly occur as well as overall concern of personal and patron safety considering the fact that the site is located in a documented Inundation Zone and the possibility of a large volume of transient visitors that will be invited to our community to utilize one of our local Simi Valley parks.

The current Sinaloa Golf Course has stood the test of time since 1958 and has many dedicated regular golfers and users of the facility.  All of which will just be cast away when the course is shut down and closed for construction. Many probably won’t return to the planned “mixed use” facility when and  “if”  it is ever fully completed. The Park District pleads poverty and diminishing clientele at the golf course but this is mainly due to their overall disregard for regulation golf in the city and lack of any improvements, upgrades and marketing of the current golf course over the recent years. This technique to show decline appears to be very intentional on the part of the Park District. I personally believe it is only to fuel their case to the City to change the current use from 9 hole regulation golf  to a pipe dream at best  that will never prove to be cost effective and generate sufficient profit or a reasonable return on the excessive planned investment of over 20 million dollars.

The Park District cannot afford such an elaborate and costly project to cater to a few yearly rounds of miniature golf and unpredictable scheduled party events. Their financial plans are only to continue to siphon and divert virtually ever dollar of profit that Simi Hills Golf Course, Sinaloa Golf Course and Sinaloa Park generates when completed to fund the project. This will surely only leave a dilapidated, rundown, and unused Simi Hills Golf Course in its wake when money is no longer available to maintain that facility.  Not to mention the current unfinished parks already in Simi Valley such as Madera Wood Ranch Park and Santa Susana Park to name two, that the Park District has not yet completed.

I have asked the Park District many times to give me the name and location of a similarly designed mixed-use park anywhere in the country constructed and operating like their plans for Sinaloa Park. After a  few attempts to give me bogus references and calling their bluff, they admitted to me that they were really not aware of any parks of similar design and told me they consider themselves to be trend-setters and want to offer the unique and untested theory for a city park.  I find this mind-set to be a bit scary and a very questionable idea in these economic times.

The Rancho Simi Park District also continues to contend that Sinaloa Park is for the “children” of the community who complain of nothing to do. The “children” and especially the teens of the community will be less than stimulated with a park of this very adult oriented design / theme and would much rather their voices be heard to create more soccer fields, more lighted athletic fields, more “active” recreation, assist the Simi Valley Unified School District to keep organized sports offered and school fields in better condition, and more popular physical activities like skating, skateboarding,  BMX riding, and bicycle riding – all of which are now  Olympic Events and the possibility of earning a scholarship exists. In the history of the NCAA - National College Athletic Association  no school, college or university has ever granted a scholarship for Miniature Golf !!  This mixed-use project as planned is not well thought and will become a very expensive road to financial loss and disaster for the Park District.

I  request you  please  give  serious  thought  and consideration  to  the  following :

Sinaloa Golf Course should be improved as a nice 9 hole course with upgraded clubhouse & restaurant at a far lower cost and maintained for Adult  Recreation which is limited in Simi Valley. Net Profits after a much lower investment could be equaled or exceeded. 

NO  ZONE  CHANGE  WOULD  BE  NEEDED  OR  REQUIRED !!!

Sinaloa  Park  will  be  a  City  Park  run  by  the  Rancho Simi Recreation and Park  District.

A City Park is no place for alcohol sales or alcohol consumption of any kind. If the Park District chooses  to  be  in the “Wine & Beer Bar Business” it should  NOT be implemented at the site of a  mixed-use, supposedly family oriented children’s park.

Existing  land / parcel  Zoning should not change – at bare minimum any CUP if granted must be very restrictive due to the  fact  that  this project site  is in a  Residential  Neighborhood 

Hours  of  operation  for any “park”  in a  Residential Neighborhood  should  be  restricted to sunrise  to  sunset,  9:00pm maximum for lighted golf play and party activities, all parking lots cleared and parking lot lighting reduced or minimized by 10:00pm every night. 

The  added  burden on Simi Valley Police Department and Code Enforcement.

This  project  needs  to  be  located  in  a  commercial  or  industrial  area  with  better  freeway  exposure and  accessibility  to  be  profitable. Hours of operation could then be longer and later.

And  the  possibility the Park District sells the property after rezoning & CPU are granted  or they find themselves forced to sell after discovering they are unable to manage & maintain it.

Joe Schmidt

To: Simi Valley City Council

From: Peggie Noisette

Re: Sinaloa Park

Date: May 10, 2010

I have lived in Simi Valley for over 40 years and for the most part, I like the way the city has grown and modernized. My husband and I raised two children here, and were teachers in Simi’s schools, so we want to see development that benefits children.

Expanding Sinaloa Park to include family picnic areas and miniature golf is a good plan. I do have concerns, however, about some of the other plans for this park.

My two biggest concerns are traffic and noise. The park abuts a main thoroughfare, and allowing for left turns into the park on a blind curve may pose a significant danger. This curve has seen many severe accidents over the years I’ve lived here.

I also worry about parking. I live on Vista Lago Drive, immediately across the street from the park entrance. In our neighborhood, we don’t want to see litter, loitering, and a clutter of parked cars. I would respectfully request that the plan include installation of No Parking signs on Vista Lago Drive.

This park is located in a bowl, and sound travels up and out, and into the surrounding neighborhoods. Even the sound from the baseball diamonds on the other side of the dam can be heard in our neighborhood. I don’t object to the sound of children at play, or even the adult golfers. However, I dread the idea of a clubhouse for parties and wedding receptions, and a restaurant serving alcohol. I know this will lead to loud noise and music which will impinge on my enjoyment of my own property. It’s one thing to tolerate a noisy party from a neighbor when it happens once or twice a year, but the park clubhouse will be the site of parties every weekend. It means that my neighbors and I will NEVER have a single quiet weekend in our own homes. This is completely unreasonable and unacceptable.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope this park can be developed in a way that is compatible with the neighbors who have lived (and paid taxes) here for many years.

Peggie Noisette

________________________________________________________________________________

To: Simi Valley City Council and Planning Commission

From: Tony Ciesniewski                      

Re: Sinaloa Park

Date: May 10, 2010

My wife and I have lived in Simi Valley for over 10 years, having moved here because of the community and the neighborhoods.   We have viewed with interest the progress of the proposed expansion and changes outlined for the Sinaloa Golf Course.  I must say that we have tried to understand the logic or supposed common sense that has gone in to this project and it is beyond our ability to understand how anyone can honestly consider this a good idea.  

Expanding Sinaloa Park to include family picnic areas, a club house and miniature golf will significantly increase the traffic and noise for the surrounding residential area.   There are a number of commercial areas in Simi Valley that would be far better suited to handle the traffic allowing better access for the customers and minimize the noise levels because of surrounding commercial building capturing the increase sound levels generated by people having a good time.  Additionally, allowing this construction on a blind curve will pose a significant danger. This curve has seen many severe accidents over the years we have lived here.

We are also concerned about the park districts ability to secure the area during hours of operation and after hours by relying on a few Park Rangers when in fact a project like this, in any location, will draw a large number of adolesants who will have access to on-site alcohol and potentially available drugs.  This is not something that will add to the value of Simi Valley neighborhoods.  Adding a project of this nature will overwhelm an already stressed police department who will ultimately be required to step in and handle most situations caused by this project.  These thoughts can be verified by reviewing the problems created by similar operations in Los Angeles.

This park is located in a bowl, and sound travels up and out, and into the surrounding neighborhoods.  Currently the sounds from the baseball diamonds on the other side of the golf course can be heard in surrounding neighborhoods.  I don’t object to the sound of children at play, or even the adult golfers. However, I dread the idea of a clubhouse for parties and wedding receptions with its generally associated loud music, a restaurant serving alcohol and reservible picnic areas that will inevitably draw large numbers of potentially opposing gangs which already populate Simi Valley.  It’s one thing to tolerate a noisy party from a neighbor when it happens once or twice a year, but the park clubhouse will be the site of parties every weekend and the picnic areas will be occupied every weekend – all summer.  Additionally, a serious review of the hours of operation must be considered.  Planned operations of 10pm weekdays and 11pm weekends must be reduced.  Just saying the facility closes at 11pm means that the guests will just move the party to the parking lot area until Midnight or until the police (not the park rangers) convince them to “move along”.

Over the past two years three major projects have been approved for this general vicinity.  The twenty-five adjacent medical buildings, along with the new Target currently under construction and the approved housing complex at Madera and Los Angeles will stress the system without the addition of a poorly placed commercial project like the Sinaloa Golf Course expansion.

We have attended most of the area meetings regarding this project and have come to the conclusion that, much like the American financial system, the system here is broken.  Whenever reasonably negative questions are raised the response from the park district is “we will handle that” or “it has been considered and our experts feel it will not be a problem”.  The questions that have never been answered are “What if they are wrong?  Who gets to suffer the results of your mistakes?  And finally - Who will be held accountable for the problems, pain and suffering created by this project?”

Thank you for your attention to this matter.  I am hopeful that the City Council and Planning Commission examines the big picture and remembers that community and neighborhoods are why most people want to move to Simi Valley.  Ideas like this park district expansion will adversely affect home owners near this location and will have a devastating effect on traffic for anyone who passes through this part of Simi Valley.  The residents are the tax payers and voters.

Tony Ciesniewski

______________________________________________________________________________

Small towns must be wary of overdevelopment

PUBLISHED: The ACORN  8-28-2009

There will always be concerns. Our town is small; we have a lot of people living in a very small space.

In a letter written recently, one citizen was concerned about another citizen’s concern over the possibility that his property value might be adversely affected by some development planned by the parks and rec district.

Let me say first off, the one silver lining in the current economic downturn is the beautiful lack of development in our small town. Believe me when I say I’m sorry if this has caused any problems for a family who may rely on the money made from constructing new development.

But our little town is overdeveloped, and the empty townhomes on Tapo Street and the Mountain Gate Plaza provide a very poignant example of this.

Every citizen has different concerns. One may not be worried about the development of a small golf course because they golf and the course is not directly behind or adjacent to his or her property; on the other hand, that homeowner doesn’t want to see any more pressure placed on his property value at this time.

We need to work together to make this a better place to live. Reassurances must be made, and community meetings must be held and attended, and the concerns of the citizens in attendance must be respected.

We have plenty of empty space that could be used for this project without adversely affecting a homeowner.

On a side note to that, it would seem that the parks and rec comes up with money for this type of project but pleads poverty when asked about sporting fields that would be used by a much greater slice of our population—$19 million is a lot of money. How about some lighted football fields that can double as soccer fields? More of our children play soccer than any other sport; I would like to see public fields free of gopher holes and lit up for evening play.

Always remember that we live in a small town; our projects should benefit more than just the few, and property owners’ concerns should not be trivialized by stating that some are living in the past.

Mike Judge        Simi Valley

August 1, 2009


I strongly oppose any commercial development on that site.  What ever happened to free parks, with swing-sets, open fields, gym equipment, basketball and tennis courts? The kids in Simi Valley need free parks where they can play for free, and get some exercise.

Miniature golf courses make all their money on the arcade.  They would all go broke just on mini-golf revenue.   The Rancho Simi plan is an economic disaster, waiting to happen.

I do not want the zoning changed to commercial. Since when do you need commercial zoning to put in a park?  It shows Rancho Simi's intention to eventually add back the controversial commercial elements that were removed to get project approval.


Andy Bierman
Simi Valley, CA







  Letter  of  Concern  sent  to  R.S.R.P.D.

A  letter  written  by  a  neighborhood  resident  was  recently  sent  to  R.S.R.P.D.  asking  about  the  impact  of  the  proposed  Sinaloa Park  project  resulting  from  increased  Noise, increased  Traffic,   Alcohol  Sales  at  a  family  park  and  the  close  proximity  to  Madera  Elementary School.  Click on the  "Link to "  below  to  view  the  letter  of  response

PUBLISHED: Ventura County Star  10-3-2007

Our unique bicycle motocross racing track, at Los Angeles Avenue and Sycamore, is being threatened by the uncontrolled expansion plans of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board of directors, who propose selling our facility to help finance the proposed Sinaloa Park concept on Madera and Irvine roads to the tune of $20 million (projected costs; half-a-million has been spent to promote the project).

We can stop or modify this harebrained idea from happening by alerting everyone in our community that the sport of BMX has been around since the early days of Simi and Santa Susana development. It is a part of the health and fitness of its citizens and should not be sacrificed for commercial purposes.

Do not permit zoning changes by the Simi Valley City Council on the Sinaloa Park Project from park to commercial, nor give conditional use permits for this current proposed plan.

Do all you can to persuade the Rancho directors to develop other ways to improve their land on Madera Road that would not remove our present facility. This might be a more challenging and better-designed golfing facility, as in other cities. Other refined family-oriented gatherings, such as miniature golfing or picnic areas, might be considered. Projects should be considered that have no attractive nuisances for our developing youths who would have to be constantly monitored and policed.

The board of directors — Kate O'Brien, Jim Meredith, Elaine Freeman, Gene Hostetler and Mark Johnson — have no published e-mail addresses, but may be reached through the general manager, Larry Peterson, larry@rsrpd.us, 584-4407; or Ed Hayduk, ed@rsrpd.us, 584-4418.

E-mails for the Simi Valley City Council are Paul Miller, pmiller@simivalley.org; Steven Sojka, ssojka@simivalley.org; Barbra Williamson, bwilliam@simivalley.org; Glen Becerra, gbecerra@simivalley.org; and Michelle Foster, mfoster@simivalley.org.

Further information is available at www.sinaloapark.info.

— Raymond Bucci, Simi Valley

To Whom It May Concern:

I'm writing to express my feelings regarding the Sycamore BMX track located in Simi Valley, CA.  I have personally been riding and racing at the track for nearly twenty years and feel it would be a shame if it were to ever close down.  I can think of no better place for kids and their families to have fun, get good exercise and bond together as a family, than a BMX track.  Over the years, I have seen younger riders at the track grow, age, enjoy the sport of BMX and then bring their own children out to experience this wonderful, family oriented sport.  Having the track here in Simi Valley keeps lots of people, both young and “not so young,” healthy and excited about participating in an activity that is like not other.  BMX brings families together, keeps them together and builds friendships that will last a lifetime.  I've personally been racing BMX for over thirty-three years and can honestly say its the single greatest family sport there is.  We are lucky to have the Sycamore BMX facility and will gladly do whatever we can to keep it up and running.

Sincerely,    

To Mayor Paul Miller

Dear Mayor Miller,

For the following reasons, to name just a few, we oppose the proposed Sinaloa Park Plans:

1.  This is ajacent to Sinaloa Lake a wetlands, a place for migratory birds, a santuary in the midst of our city for wildlife. 
2.  There will be noise pollution.
3.  There will be light pollution. ( After dark)
4.  There will be more crime and trespassing.
5.  This has always been a peaceful retreat like living in the country and now they want to citify our neighborhood.
6.  It will adversely affect our property values.  Honestly, if there were an empty lot next to your home would you like this type of complex being built next to you?
7.  This type of complex should be built next to a freeway for visibility and accessibility not on our already overly crowded access road out of town.
8.  Traffic congestion will increase.
9.  This type of complex should be in a commercially zoned area not a neighborhood that people have chosen for it's quiet country, atmosphere.
10. This "family entertainment complex " would be selling alcoholic beverages.  

These are just some of the reasons that we strongly oppose the plans to turn our neighborhood into a commercial area.  We hope that the city council will listen to thecitizens of this community and not the out -of -area entrepreneurs who wish to profit from our location.

Sincerely yours

Richard Price, MD
Elaine Price
Anne Lee
Dorothy Barr
Dorothy Price



Sinaloa Golf Course Expansion Misleading

In reading that Simi Valley would be reduced to two public golf courses, (Acorn 8/24), I was excited to read that $925,000 would be used to expand the existing family friendly Sinaloa Golf Course, (VC Star 8/24). The manner in which the Ventura County Star article was written led me to believe that the funds would go to expanding the golf course from 25 acres to 38 acres.

After speaking with several people and the golf course personnel, I found a different story. Rancho Simi Parks & Recreation District would like to put in a game arcade building, a water park with a 40-foot water slide and 54 miniature golf holes for $20 MILLION MORE than the $925,000 listed in the paper. Plus, NONE of the $925,000 would go to the current family friendly Sinaloa Golf Course. And this is all because families supposedly have nowhere to go in Simi Valley.

Sinaloa Golf Course is unique in that it affordably caters to families, groups, seniors and weekenders working on their short game. There is nowhere else in Ventura County that offers this combination of sport and exercise for the amount of money. In addition, the driving range is not intimidating and a great place to start.

Since 1959 Sinaloa Golf Course has truly been a family friendly place. Many times I have enjoyed the replica holes of famous golf courses with family and friends. Plus, having a pitch-n-putt close by allows you time to squeeze in a round generally in a little more than an hour. Players know it’s a family course and understand when a less than par shooter is enjoying the game. This enables you to bring your children and grandchildren and get them interested in the game. If this isn’t nurtured our children will never have the opportunity to walk with nature and experience the game of golf. Instead they will have to be able to afford one of the public “country clubs” that charge much more money per round and only bring frustration to the less experienced player.

Considering the new medical & professional buildings that are currently being built next to the golf course, additional holes would offer ideal opportunities for expanding business and social gatherings. Plus, the risks associated with a theme park of this proposed nature and size would disrupt the existing golf environment and ultimately prove to be unattractive to both families and business owners.

Miniature Golf is available on the 101 freeways in Ventura and at the 405/101 interchange in Sherman Oaks. Water parks are only comfortable in summer months and game arcades have historically become criminally active rundown hangouts. And the games won’t rival the Play station or Wii available for the home.

Additionally, for the Rancho Simi Parks & Recreation District to generate any real profit, more than just Simi Valley residents would need to patronize this park. And since this location is not directly on a freeway, anything other than an additional 9-holes would be family unfriendly and a neighborhood invasion.

Finally, I would personally oppose any use of public land slated for the sole purpose of giving people a place to hangout under the guise of family fun. Even the new Simi Valley Towne Center won’t allow groups of young people to congregate and hangout.

Good opportunities create good outcomes and this isn’t either. Please let our elected officials know that this is unacceptable in anyone’s backyard. Keep it on a freeway and not in a residential area. In the meantime, dust off your neighborhood watch signs and hold on to your tax dollars.

Mark H. Griffith
Simi Valley

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