HISTORIC INERTIA AND HISTORIC FRICTION

What will Simi Valley look like in 100 years? Certainly, somewhat different. There will be bigger trees. However, the City will look surprisingly familiar because most of the present property lines will still be there. As the City’s residential areas were laid out, “local streets” were generally created with 36 feet of pavement on 56 foot rights of way - that included curbs, gutter, parkways and sidewalks. That was enough room for cars to be parked on both sides of the streets with automobiles moving in two directions at 25-35 miles per hour. “Collector streets,” with higher traffic volumes, have 40 feet of pavement. Arterial streets are wider, and there are some variations on these standard “street plates.” Then, too, most of the developable land on the valley floor has already been developed.

So, the automobile is well accommodated. But, what will we have or need in another 100 years? Whatever it is, we will pretty much have what we have now. That is “historic inertia.” If you look at many European cities that are 500 or more years old, most of the inner city streets are little more than alleyways. That is “historic friction.” They’re stuck with what they have just as we will be 100 years from now.

Our zoning ordinance has a standard of a 20 foot rear yard in residential areas. Some variations are allowed - but infrequently. We want back yards. We say it’s so the kids have a protected environment in which to play, we want our barbecues and room for a pool and that patio cover - a little private outdoor space. However, the origin of the 20 foot minimum rear yard requirement in zoning codes was so that there could be a respectable olfactory separation between the home and the outhouse. The outhouses are gone, but we have found other uses for back yards.

                                                                                    Mike Kuhn

11-15-04