COMPROMISE ADDS SPACE BETWEEN HOMES.

Byline: Joseph Giordono Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - The controversial Parker Ranch housing development came another step closer to reality on Wednesday night, after council members and developer Gary Gorian reached a compromise over the distance between houses.

Under the deal, a greater number of houses than originally planned will be at least 20 feet apart. The remainder must be between 12 and 15 feet apart.

At least half of the houses in one tract of 112 two-story homes must now be 20 feet apart, up from one-quarter.

Situated on 256 acres south and east of the Metrolink station, Parker Ranch would be made up of 195 homes and 324 apartments, including 81 units designated as affordable housing.

``It is important to all of us and kind of a no-brainer. Of course we would like to see more space between houses,'' said Councilwoman Barbra Williamson.

``But if we continue to tack on and tack on regulations and fees to developments, to what point are we doing that? Profit is not a dirty word.''

Council members expressed concern that they and Gorian had a different understanding of an agreement reached during the ad hoc committee meetings leading up to the council's vote.

There had been some question over whether the distance between houses would be measured from the ground or between any overhanging portions of the houses. The compromise reached Wednesday specifies that the measurement would be between any portion of the houses.