Workers will start moving earth in October for the first phase of the long-delayed, reconfigured Lost Canyons housing project in Simi Valley, the developer said recently.
The project of 364 single-family houses lies in an area west of Tapo Canyon Road and just east of Big Sky Ranch, the filming site for NBC's “Little House of the Prairie.” The project was originally approved by the city in 2013.
The development sits on about 360 acres, said Jim Boyd, acting president of Newport Pacific Land Co., based in Newport Beach. He said the overall Lost Canyons project is part of a 1,770-acre site featuring scenic hills, a closed golf course and mostly undeveloped land.
The first phase consists of 184 homes at 3301 Lost Canyons Drive. That's on the north side of the road.
The original plan called for the remaining 180 homes to be built in Tapo and Dry Canyons, south of Lost Canyons Drive. But Boyd said his company will submit an application with the city of Simi Valley to move those lots to the area north of Lost Canyons Drive.
The goal is to centralize the entire 364-house development, which will mean more open space and savings on infrastructure costs, he said.
As part of that effort, Newport Pacific Land Co. proposed relocating a tract of 32 lots originally planned on the site's northeast corner, Boyd said. The Simi Valley Planning Commission voted 5-0 July 24 to approve moving the lots to the southeast corner, adjacent to approved lots on Lost Canyons Drive.
The northeast corner will remain undeveloped, Boyd said.
"Relocating the lots will leave Dry and Tapo canyons, both of which contain sensitive environmental plants and birds, undeveloped," he said.
City officials like the changes.
“We think it’s a better project than the original plan. It’s more cost efficient,” said Stratis Perros, the environmental services director.
Sean Gibson, the deputy environmental services director and city planner, said the open space at the site will feature public and private trails.
Boyd said the development's environmentally sensitive nature has meant a long process in getting permits from agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers.
The latest permit delay came because of a ban on work until the nesting season for the California gnatcatcher ends Sept. 1, the developer said.
It also took a long time for Newport Pacific Land Co. to get permits to ensure against pollution or other damage to natural channels and river beds, Perros said.
To comply with deadlines set by permits, Newport Pacific must start site work between September and February, Gibson said.
One change from the original plan is the removal of the golf course, which has been out of use since 2016, Boyd said. He added that the golf course has reverted to its natural state after not being maintained.
The golf course won't be revived because of cost and the lack of interested operators, Boyd said.
Construction of the first phase's houses likely won’t start until 2026, after land is leveled and stormwater drainage, water lines and sewers are added, Boyd said. Those houses could be completed as soon as 2029, depending on weather and other factors, he added.
Houses will be sold at market rate and won’t include any units that are affordable under the state’s definitions, Boyd said.
Homes will vary from one-story, approximately 2,500-square feet houses to two-story structures boasting 4,000 square feet, Boyd said. He added the city has approved the architecture of traditional exteriors, but it could be tweaked further.
Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Simi Valley's long-delayed Lost Canyons housing project to get underway
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