Simi Valley General Plan Update Technical

6.4 Visual Resources

6.4 VISUAL RESOURCES

6.4.1 Introduction This section describes those resources that help to define the scenic quality of the City of Simi Valley and the Area of Interest (“Planning Area”). These resources include a variety of natural and man-made elements that serve as visual landmarks and contribute to the unique character of the Planning Area as well as the viewsheds to those elements. Although specific visual resources in the Planning Area are identified in this section, it is not intended to provide an exhaustive inventory, as the nature of these resources is somewhat subjective and not easily quantified. Data sources for this section include the 1998 Simi Valley General Plan, visual inspection, and Internet sources. Full bibliographic references are included in Section 6.4.5 (Sources) of this section. A person’s primary sensory experience of a place is visual. Consequently, a community’s scenic resources contribute to one’s experience of “place” and influence the quality of life in that community. “Aesthetic value” refers to the perception of the natural beauty of an area, as well as the elements that create or enhance its visual quality. While aesthetic value is subjective, it is typically included as a criterion for evaluating those elements that contribute to the quality that uniquely distinguishes an area. Most communities identify scenic resources as an important asset, although what is considered “scenic” may vary according to its environmental setting. For example, a valley community has distinctive scenic resources that differentiate it from a coastal or mountain community. “Scenic resources” can include natural open spaces, topographic formations, and landscapes that contribute to a high level of visual quality. These are significant resources that can be maintained and enhanced to promote a positive image in the future. Many people associate natural landforms and landscapes with scenic resources, such as oak woodlands, lakes, rivers, streams, and some historical areas. These are areas of beauty, based on a community’s value systems, which provide a positive visual experience and help to define the unique aesthetic character of an area. Scenic resources can also include man-made open spaces and the built environment. Examples of these would include parks, trails and pathways, nature centers, archaeological, and architectural features. Memorable and distinctive scenery provides residents with a sense of place and identity, heightening the feeling of belonging and instilling a sense of uniqueness and civic pride. “Viewsheds” constitute the range of vision in which scenic resources may be observed. They are defined by physical features that frame the boundaries or context to one or more scenic resources. A region’s topography can lend aesthetic value through the creation of public view corridors of ridgelines and mountains and through the visual backdrop created by mountains and hillsides. Viewsheds and scenic vistas may include views of a range of resources, whether natural or man-made, and are also considered important scenic resources for preservation.

6.4.2 Existing Conditions The Planning Area is dominated by a physical setting that offers residents and visitors a variety of scenic experiences—a mixture of topography and flora, and a rich historical and cultural heritage. The character

Simi Valley General Plan Update Technical Background Report 6.4-1 Chapter 6 Natural Resources and quality of life of Simi Valley residents are inextricably linked to the physical setting. The dedication of its citizens to preserving its ridgelines and open, tree-studded hillsides is reflected in numerous ordinances in the Municipal Code. The General Plan goals recognize that the natural features of Simi Valley should be protected from unreasonable development and preserved as an important visual resource. In addition, the limited inventory of mature trees and tree rows is recognized in the General Plan as an important aesthetic resource. Simi Valley is situated among a series of major and minor hills. These hills constitute a significant natural topographical feature of the community because they are visible to all persons traveling the major highway arteries as well as to citizens Rock formation in the Simi Hills residing in and around the City. Simi Valley is visually framed by the Santa Susana Mountains to the north and the Simi Hills and Santa Monica Mountains to the south. Topography ranges from 700 feet to 1,100 feet above sea level. An open space inventory prepared by the City in April 2006 indicates that approximately 17 percent of the Planning Area’s total acreage is open space. The visual elements exhibited within these open spaces include the major ridgelines forming the boundaries of the Planning Area, canyons, woodlands, rolling hillsides and knolls, significant stands of oak and sycamore trees, and green and urban parkways. Historical resources and landmarks may also be included within the open space inventory. The extent and location of open space lands are shown in Figure 2.1-1 in Section 2.1 (Land Use). The physical characteristics of the Planning Area, in conjunction with the large amount of undeveloped land, afford residents and visitors a vast array of open space that provides plentiful scenic opportunities. Because a “natural” or undisturbed character is the most valued feature of many of these resources, development can occur in a manner that is sensitive to both the quantity and quality of these resources. Woodlands and hillside areas are prime examples of resources that derive much of their majesty from the quantity available; although the health of the resource also substantially affects visual quality, as unhealthy trees and polluted watercourses, both potential effects of development, can substantially diminish one’s experience of these resources.

Mountains and Rock Formations Mountains are the principal form-giver and visual resource of the Planning Area. They contain well- defined ridgelines, slopes, and canyons. Big Mountain and the sheer topographic front of the Whiteface escarpment are the prominent elements in the landscape viewed from the Planning Area floor. The Santa Susana Mountains are a transverse range of mountains that run east/west, separating the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley on the south from the Santa Clara River Valley to Whiteface Escarpment at sunrise

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the north and the Santa Clarita Valley to the northeast. The Santa Susana Pass (containing SR-118) connects the Simi and San Fernando valleys, and separates the Santa Susana Mountains from Simi Hills to the south. The Simi Hills are located on the western edge of the San Fernando Valley and run east/west and extend 26 miles east/west and 7 miles north/south. The Santa Susana Pass area contains unique rock formations and has been used as a backdrop in many movies and TV shows. Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park is located in the Simi Hills, just south of the Santa Susana Pass, at the northwestern edge of the San Fernando Valley. The Conejo Valley lies to the southwest of the Planning Area and the community of Moorpark is adjacent to the west.

Ridgelines and Canyons The ridgelines (a long, narrow range of hills221 or a line formed along the highest point of a mountain ridge222) that form the mountainous backbone surrounding the Planning Area project much like fingers into the lower foothills of the surrounding mountain ranges to the Planning Area floor. Ridgelines are visible from almost any vantage point in the City, including the valley floor, and provide a natural backdrop to the urban skyline. Development standards in the City’s Municipal Code are designed to prevent intrusion of development onto the hillsides and ridgelines by restricting Prominent Ridgeline development to slopes of 20 percent or less. Numerous canyons give local identity to the Planning Area. Canyons in the Planning Area include: Runkle Canyon, Tapo Canyon, Sycamore Canyon, Meier Canyon, Alamos Canyon, Brea Canyon, Las Llajas Canyon, Blind Canyon, Ybarra Canyon, Dry Canyon, and Chivo Canyon. These foothill/canyon zones are important scenic resources that, because of inherent slope constraints, are replete with variable terrain that supports a variety of native biota. The overarching principles in the General Plan indicate that it is the City’s desire to preserve the natural and open space features of the hills and canyons. City codes and ordinances encourage development in the canyon areas in a manner that is reflective of the scenic qualities of these resources, as well as to include passive recreation areas in these developments. The City regulates the location, design, and type of land uses to minimize interference with the conservation of limited resources. Coast live oak

Woodlands The City recognizes mature trees and tree rows throughout the Planning Area as important historic and aesthetic resources, and codes and ordinances directed at their preservation are included in the City’s planning documents. The oak woodlands present in the Simi Hills to the south of the City spill over into many areas of the Planning Area and contribute to its rural atmosphere. These areas support a variety of

221 WordNet 3.0 2006, Princeton University 222 Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006

Simi Valley General Plan Update Technical Background Report 6.4-3 Chapter 6 Natural Resources woodland habitat, including oak and riparian woodlands. The woodlands include Interior Live Oak Woodland, Valley Oak Woodland, Coast Live Oak Woodland, and Southern Cottonwood-Willow Riparian Forest. The Coast Live Oak is the designated City tree. Rows of eucalyptus and stands of sycamores also exist throughout the Planning Area.

Rivers, Streams, and Water Bodies The Planning Area contains several creeks that serve as drainages from the various canyons surrounding the Planning Area. These creeks, including Tapo Canyon Creek and Gillibrand Canyon Creek, are part of the Calleguas Creek Watershed and provide a naturalized setting. Many are accessible for hiking and other recreational activities. The Arroyo Simi, a 12-mile flood control channel, runs from Corriganville Park to Moorpark. A bicycle and pedestrian path runs along central portions of the Arroyo Simi, providing close-in viewing opportunities of this water feature. In process is an Arroyo Simi Visioning Study initiated by the City of Simi Valley and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The purpose of this study is to develop methods to protect and enlarge the creek habitat, create better views and visibility within the Arroyo, and provide better recreational amenities. Bard Reservoir, also known as the Wood Ranch Reservoir, is located in the southwest portion of the City above the Wood Ranch community, and can be seen as a large expanse of water against a backdrop of hills from higher elevations throughout the Planning Area. Sinaloa Lake is a small private water feature within the Sinaloa community in the western portion of the City that provides an attractive naturalized setting. Water features included in parks, residential developments, and golf courses also contribute to the scenic quality of the Planning Area. Rancho Park waterfall

Arroyo Simi Sinaloa Lake (private) Bard Reservoir

Open Spaces and Recreational Areas Open space and broad expanses of parkland provide visual relief from the urban landscape and contribute to the rural character of the Planning Area. Aside from the private recreation facilities associated with certain residential developments, the greatest amount of private open space involves the outlying hillsides and canyons surrounding the Planning Area. Most of this land consists of large, undeveloped, privately held parcels used primarily for dry farming or cattle-raising.

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Other open spaces that can be considered scenic resources include specialized facilities such as golf courses that provide amenities to visitors and residents. Golf courses in the Planning Area include Simi Hills Golf Course, Sinaloa Golf Course, Lost Canyons Golf Club, and Wood Ranch Golf Club. Integration of these recreational facilities into the surrounding neighborhoods makes an important contribution to the visual quality of the area.

Parks, cemeteries, schoolyards, and landscaped Wood Ranch Golf Course developments are also considered as scenic resources because of their visual importance to their surrounding districts. The landscaping quality, size, and configuration of open space and contrast to adjacent uses and spaces contribute to their importance. Many open space areas that have been “naturalized” provide further visual relief from the urban landscape and are an important scenic resource. Natural open space linkages may include open space dedications, easements, or greenbelts. Open space elements can also be found within large-scale development projects including, but not limited to, public plaza, entry courts, and planned development common areas.

Paths and Paseos Urban Parkways are streets in which the presence of high-quality landscaping lends a positive visual character. Major urban parkways usually have planted medians that add a distinctive visual character of green space to what would otherwise be a simple asphalt street. Secondary urban parkways include locations where mature trees, perhaps originally planted as windrows, dominate the streetscape. Paths can be also considered scenic if they exhibit inherent aesthetic quality. Paths, such as bike and equestrian trails, link and interconnect land uses and areas of activity. Since people observe their city or community while moving through it, paths are the primary viewpoints that form the image of the community. Numerous paths abound in the parks and other hillside areas within and surrounding the Planning Area, and provide views of woodlands and topography, as well as a place of relative seclusion from the urban environment.

Urban parkway Equestrian trail Paseo

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A path may be a formal “paseo” or informal passage route such as a road that serves to provide a quality open space network that is spatially distributed throughout an area. Recent planned developments, such as Wood Ranch, have incorporated the paseo concept to provide links between residential and other uses. Paseos and paths have even greater value when they connect networks, rather than simply destinations.

Rural Lands There are several residential areas throughout the City and unincorporated area that have a particularly rural visual character. The lack of sidewalks, curbs, or other infrastructure improvements compared to newer developments in the City, and, in some areas, the presence of winding, narrow streets adjacent to gulleys and creekbeds impart a distinct, unique visual feel to these areas. These rural residential areas include the Kadota Fig area, the Santa Susana Knolls area, and the Rural residential unincorporated Sinaloa Lake area west of Madera Road.

Historic Resources Simi Valley has an extensive historical background representing the early settlement of California, the initial development of California’s resources, and historic filming sites for Hollywood westerns. This heritage has been extensively preserved in the numerous historical sites throughout the Planning Area. Not only are these sites historical and cultural resources, many can be considered scenic resources, as they are representative of and provide glimpses into the Planning Area’s rich past. Historical resources can help to define the visual character of an area by contributing to a sense of place, maintaining a visual link to an area’s and past, and providing glimpses of historical views. A detailed description of the historical significance of these and other historical resources is contained in the Historic-Cultural Resources section of this document (see Section 6.5).

Landmarks A “Landmark” is a significant visual reference point, often represented by a structure, landscape feature, or freestanding element, which provides a point of reference in identifying a particular area. Landmarks commonly have singularity, allowing them to be distinguished from features surrounding them. They also provide visual and functional points of reference for residents and visitors within the community, contributing to a distinct sense of place. Landmarks often have architectural, historical, archeological, and/or cultural significance, and many of the City’s historic places and features, would be considered landmarks. Examples of man-made landmarks include features such as the Wood Ranch Dam. Natural features, such as the Whiteface escarpment, Big Mountain, and Rocky Peak would also be considered landmarks.

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Viewsheds A viewshed is an area of land, water, and other natural environmental elements that is visible from a fixed vantage point and is of particular scenic or historic value deemed worthy of preservation against development or other change.223 The preservation of viewsheds is a goal in the designation of open space areas, green belts, and community separators. There are three primary types of viewshed: ■ Regional Viewshed—A viewshed where a significant number of prominent visual features unique to Simi Valley can be identified. ■ Local Viewshed—A viewshed where a significant number of prominent visual features unique to Simi Valley can be identified, but that are secondary in quantity or nature to a Significant Regional Viewshed. ■ “Dark Sky” Viewshed—A location away from artificial or urban light sources, which preserves the nighttime view of stars, planets, constellations, and other heavenly bodies. Viewsheds can be affected by all of the factors that may affect their constituent visual features, particularly with urbanization of prominent slopes or woodlands. Viewsheds are also sensitive to adverse changes in air quality, as smog can obscure the views provided by the viewshed, particularly long-range views.

Regional Viewsheds

Major Mountain View Corridors Skyline topography as seen from lower lying viewsheds is important to consider in the identification of view corridors. A mountain view corridor is a line of sight that frames distant views of the mountains (peaks, ridgelines, valleys, and landscape that are visible). Points of reference can be based on the following criteria: 1. Expansive public views from areas along major arterial roadways 2. Panoramic views from prominent public viewing areas 3. Panoramic views from parks, and major public open spaces 4. Expansive views to the west (sunset) and east (sunrise). Since the Planning Area is ringed by mountain ranges, one may obtain panoramic views of the surrounding mountains from primary roadways and numerous locations within the Planning Area. Expansive views of the valley and the surrounding topographical features are held from SR-118 as one travels west and descends from the crest of the highway into Simi Valley. Similar expansive views of the valley may be held from SR-118 and Olsen Road as one enters Simi Valley from the east through these roadway corridors. Panoramic views of Simi Valley can be obtained from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in the western hills, as well as from the Big Mountain and Whiteface Escarpment View across the Valley from the western hills

223 Reference.com. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Viewshed (accessed: April 10, 2007).

Simi Valley General Plan Update Technical Background Report 6.4-7 Chapter 6 Natural Resources recreational areas, Rocky Peak recreational area, and the Santa Susana State Historic Park. The numerous hiking and mountain bike trails in the hills and mountain areas also provide these expansive views.

Scenic Drives and Vistas Scenic drives provide extended, sometimes uninterrupted views of wide expanses of hillsides, ridgelines, woodlands, and other open spaces, as well as more intimate vistas along shorter, more secluded road segments. These drives provide not only an important scenic resource for residents, but are often the only aesthetic experience for visitors or passersby of the Planning Area. Because of the relatively low-rise nature of development in Simi Valley, expansive scenic vistas exist all along SR-118 (Ronald Reagan) Freeway, which traverses the Planning Area in an east/west direction. These vistas are surrounded by undisturbed mountains, rolling hills, and ridgelines, as well as new development, and provide picturesque views. SR-118 serves as a natural gateway to Simi Valley as motorists approach from both sides, providing the first views and impression of the Planning Area framed by topography and vegetation. As one crests SR-118 traveling from east to west, a panoramic view of the entire Simi Valley extends to the horizon, including the mountains ringing the Planning Area, the valley floor, and the rolling grass- and tree-covered hillsides. As development increases, encroachment into hillside areas and high-density development in close proximity to these gateways, particularly when mass grading is necessary for development, could compromise the quality of the entries into the Planning Area by attenuating the visual impact of the natural topography and vegetation, as well as the “frame” of the Planning Area provided by these features. This is of particular concern in the rapidly developing west end area of Simi Valley, which is being developed with a large number of industrial and commercial uses. Similarly, development in close proximity to roadways that provide scenic views for motorists could degrade the natural, sweeping quality of the views provided if such development occurs in high densities or involves tall structures that could obscure long-range views. Views of the mountains can be held from both the east/west and north/south arterial roadways in the Planning Area. Scenic views and vistas can be found along roads through various canyons, including Tapo Canyon and Alamos Canyon. Madera Road and Olsen Road afford scenic vistas as well. These scenic drives at times traverse beautiful oak-studded hillsides and offer a visual asset for both motorists and residents.

View north from residential street

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VISUAL RESOURCES

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6.4 Visual Resources

Local Viewsheds The significant topographic and natural resources in the Planning Area provide local viewsheds for residents within their neighborhoods. Examples of local viewsheds include views of hillsides and ridgelines from residential developments and streets. Runkle Canyon can be viewed panoramically from the homes at the end of Sequoia Road, and Sinaloa Lake may be viewed from surrounding homes upslope or immediately adjacent to the water feature. In the Planning Area, the mountains, ridgelines, and hillsides surrounding the valley can be viewed from most streets on the valley floor, particularly the major arterials such as Los Angeles Avenue (east/west) and Tapo Canyon Road, Sycamore, or Erringer (north/south). Another type of local viewshed includes views that are contained within a single canyon, providing a singular visual experience to the viewer standing within the canyon. Tapo Canyon Road north of Presidio Drive is an example of such a viewshed, as it provides local views of the canyon and slopes as it ascends to canyon headwaters. A view of a neighboring golf course from within a residential neighborhood would also be considered a local viewshed.

Dark Sky Viewsheds Dark sky viewsheds would generally be available in less urbanized areas, such as in the canyons and canyon roads that ring the Planning Area. These exist in the unincorporated areas that are currently undeveloped and along the hiking and bike trails in the surrounding hills. While some dark sky viewing may be held from these areas today, as development pressures mount, continued urbanization would result in additional nighttime lighting, which would reduce “dark sky” viewing opportunities.

6.4.3 Regulatory Setting The management of scenic quality in the Planning Area is primarily regulated through open space policies as described in the following section.

State The State of California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection, works with landowners, local governments, and researchers to conserve open space resources Statewide. California's Scenic Highway Program was created by the Legislature in 1963. Its purpose is to preserve and protect scenic highway corridors from change that would diminish the aesthetic value of lands adjacent to highways. The state laws governing the Scenic Highway Program are found in the Streets and Highways Code, Section 260 et seq. Section 263.6 of the Streets and Highways Codes designates SR-118 as a State Scenic Highway from Route 23 to De Soto Avenue near Browns Canyon (in the San Fernando Valley). Tapo Canyon Road north of SR 118 has been identified as an eligible County Scenic Highway.

Regional County of Ventura General Plan Ventura County regulates scenic open space primarily through its General Plan and Area Plans. Open space lands may be subject to additional controls through special management areas such as National

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Recreation and Forest areas, mineral resource areas, hazard areas, and areas subject to cultural heritage protection. The Ventura County General Plan (last amended December 6, 2005) contains goals in Section 1.7 (Scenic Resources) pertaining to visual and scenic resources countywide. These are aimed at preserving and protecting the significant open views and visual resources of the County, protecting the visual resources within the viewshed of designated scenic highways, lakes, and other scenic areas, and enhancing and maintaining the visual appearance of building and developments. The County’s General Plan encourages the cities of Moorpark and Simi Valley to enter into a greenbelt agreement for the area between the two cities.

Ventura County SOAR (Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources) Measure The Ventura County SOAR initiative requires countywide voter approval of any change to a County General Plan involving the Agricultural, Open Space, or Rural land use map designations, or any change to a General Plan goal or policy related to those land use designations. Any lands annexed to the City would be governed by the Simi Valley SOAR.

Local Simi Valley Municipal Code Title 9 of the Simi Valley Municipal Code (Development Code) carries out the policies of the General Plan by classifying and regulating the uses of land and structures within the City of Simi Valley. This Development Code is adopted to protect and to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of residents and businesses in the City. More specifically, the purposes of this Development Code related to visual resources are to: ■ Provide standards for the orderly growth and development of the City that will assist in protecting the community identity of Simi Valley ■ Ensure compatibility between open space, agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial land uses and their development ■ Protect the City’s hillsides through the implementation of the Hillside Performance Standards and those provisions of the General Plan relating to preservation of hillsides. Article 9-32 (Hillside Performance Standards) implements those provisions of the General Plan as they relate to development in hillside areas to protect the ridgelines, maintain open space, and retain scenic and recreational resources of the City. The City of Simi Valley also implements a Tree Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 9-38 of the City Development Code) that applies to all areas of the City and is designed to insure the protection/preservation of mature trees to the greatest extent possible.

Greenbelt Agreements The Tierra Rejada greenbelt agreement was signed in 1984 by the Ventura County and the cities of Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, and Simi Valley. Each agency agreed not to annex or develop the rural land that separates the three cities. The Tierra Rejada Valley is distinguished from the other greenbelts in the County because it is home to a major sightseeing attraction, the Reagan Library, and also because it borders thriving urban cities with relatively little agricultural lands within their city limits. The greenbelt land between the cities of Moorpark, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks also acts as a buffer from urban

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sprawl. On a regional level, the Tierra Rejada Valley offers an area of critical inter-mountain linkage between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills, and on a local level, its culverts under the 23 Freeway are used more than any other freeway wildlife crossing in the area. Efforts are also underway by the National Park Service, the Reagan Library, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the Nature Conservancy for acquisition of easements and key parcels to ensure wildlife connectivity, open space protection, and trail access in the Tierra Rejada Valley.

City Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB) The City of Simi Valley enacted a CURB initiative on November 3, 1998, that will remain in force until December 31, 2020. This measure is a General Plan Amendment. It identifies that the preservation of existing agricultural, open space, viewshed, and watershed lands that are of critical importance to the City. The initiative established City Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB) lines around the community and requires City voter approval before any land located outside the CURB lines can be developed under the City’s jurisdiction for urban purposes.

6.4.4 Issues ■ Increasing development pressures could impact the quantity, quality, and variety of open space and scenic vistas and, therefore diminishing the aesthetic value and/or availability of these areas. ■ Development could affect the visual experience at entry points to the valley that are viewed as significant scenic resources for preservation. ■ The County General Plan recommends entering into a greenbelt agreement for the Moorpark/Simi Valley boundary north of SR-118. The County Board of Supervisors is currently assessing whether to make the Tierra Rejada Greenbelt Agreement a County ordinance, rather than just an agreement between the County and the cities of Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Thousand Oaks. ■ Additional open space acquisition will result in increased costs related to development, maintenance, operation, and liability for facilities. There is a lack of funding commitments identified for future acquisition. ■ All privately owned land in the Planning Area may develop to some extent even if located outside the City CURB line, within the County SOAR, or within hillside preservation areas. It may be beneficial to annex these lands, as the City has more stringent hillside development standards than the County of Ventura. ■ There is a strong likelihood that population growth will increase the demand for open space resources. Urban vacant lands are an insignificant portion of available developable land (see Chapter 2, Land Use), which may cause future development to encroach upon other open space and vacant land resources. The rezoning of existing developed urban areas to higher uses may reduce the pressure to convert open space lands to urban use. ■ Opportunities for recreation, habitat and wildlife resources, and for scenic value are plentiful in the Planning Area, and future development will need careful planning to preserve the quality and quantity of these opportunities.

6.4.5 Sources Answers.com. 2007. California Streets and Highways Code Section 260-284. Website: www.answers.com/topic/california-streets-and-highways-code-section-260-284.

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California. 2007. Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Website: http://smmc.ca.gov. California Department of Parks and Recreation. 2003. Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id =628, 26 March. RoadsideAmerica.com. 2007. Website: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/sights. Simi Valley, City of. 1988. Conservation/Open Space Element. ———. 1992. Whiteface Specific Plan. February 10, amended December 18, 2001. Ventura, County of. 2005. General Plan. December 6. Viewshed. Reference.com. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Viewshed (accessed: April 10, 2007). http://www4.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/apr/19/simi-valley-growth-vote-is-delayed/, accessed June 8, 2007. http://portal.countyofventura.org/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BOS/BOS_DISTRICT_2/KEEPING%20 OPEN%20SPACE%20LANDS%20BETWEEN%20OUR%20CITIES.PDF May 2007, accessed June 8, 2007.

Photography Credits City of Simi Valley EIP Associates, a division of PBS&J http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/offthemap/html/travelogue_artist_1.htm http://woodranch.americangolf.com/

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