Council Delays Vote on Theater Project

The City Council has delayed action needed for construction to begin on a large theater and restaurant complex.

Responding to concerns of neighbors, the Simi Valley council Monday night refused to consider an ordinance that would have allowed Robert Selleck to begin building the 54,000-square-foot, 16-screen theater complex he proposes for a site at Tapo Canyon Road and Alamo Street.

Residents of the Vista Monte housing project, adjacent to the property on which Selleck hopes to build, have expressed fears that the project will be an unending nuisance, be a magnet for crime and drive down surrounding property values.

At its March 16 meeting, the council directed Selleck to make modest modifications, such as increasing the height of the wall separating the development from homes, adding landscapingand restricting parking to help answer resident’s concerns.

As of Monday those modifications had not been made, causing council members to hold off on their vote.

“We felt the changes we wanted him to make weren’t done,” said Councilwoman Barbara Williamson. “The residents have a right to a peaceful way of life.”

Selleck was unavailable for comment, and the council has declined to reschedule the hearing until the changes are made.