COUNCIL TO VIEW OPTION FOR MALL; EXTENSION FOR BUILDER HINGES ON LURING STORES.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

The City Council tonight will consider granting a three-month extension to Forest City Development's option on land in northwest Simi Valley that would be used to build an enclosed mall.

The request will come on the heels of Saturday's forum where a 350-page outline for Simi Valley's future was unveiled.

One recommendation included in that 1-1/2-inch-thick tome is creating a mall that offers a unique ``central'' shopping destination - much like the one Forest City, a Cleveland-based developer, would like to build.

Don Penman, assistant city manager in charge of economic development, said he would ask the council to extend the option. It could be extended an additional three months if the developer can submit to the City Council written preliminary agreements with large department stores like Dillard's.

``The project is entirely dependent on getting large department stores,'' he said.

Penman also said creating this type of enclosed mall is an ``extremely high priority'' and would ``clearly be a unique destination'' of the type described in the Vision 2020 blueprint.

The option pertains to three parcels of land north of the Ronald Reagan Freeway between First Avenue and Erringer Road.

One 32-acre parcel is owned by the city. A 44.8-acre parcel is owned by Robert J. Lagomarsino, Richard A. Lagomarsino and Catherine S. Wood. C.S. Orton, Kathleen Orton and Greenvive Corp. own a 35.4-acre parcel.

Penman said the city represents all the property owners, who will need to approve the extension.

``My sense is the other property owners want to stay at it,'' he said.

Though he praised the stores already doing business in Simi Valley, he said the mall would bring stores that ``provide merchandise we can't get here now.''