COUNCIL WIDENS TRACT'S ZONING TO ALLOW LLAMAS.

Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer

It all started when a man bought a llama as a present for his wife.

Then some neighbors admitted they had kept chickens, rabbits and goats in the yards of their Bridle Path homes where only horses as well as the standard dogs, cats and canaries were allowed.

Now after months of debate with potbellied pigs, pigeons, peacocks, roosters, turkeys and a slew of other critters drawn into the fray, the Simi Valley City Council has decided to act.

The council voted Monday night to amend the zoning for the Bridle Path neighborhood that limits the kinds of livestock residents can keep. In City Hall, staff members have begun working on the change that will put Bridle Path's pets within the law.

The council's decision follows a 377-81 vote by members of the Bridle Path Homeowners Association where the majority favored lifting restrictions on the kinds of farm animals residents can keep. The vote was a little tighter - 327-121 - in favor of keeping llamas.

Some residents have complained that the llama does not belong in the residential neighborhood where horses are a way of life, saying it scares horses, smells and is illegal.

Resident Ken Nies was in the minority, favoring the horses-only rule.

``That's what what the Bridle Path was designed to be,'' he explained. ``I don't want the neighborhood to turn into a farm.''

Sam Freed, a senior planner for the city, said the planning staff is hard at work preparing a proposed amendment for review by the Planning Commission and eventually the council.

The changes will be based on recommendations by the homeowners association that limit residents to keeping two goats or potbellied pigs; five rabbits or poultry, including ducks and pigeons; 15 small birds under a half-pound; and one llama per lot.

No geese, peacocks, roosters and turkeys would be allowed. Special permits, subject to annual renewal, would be required for animals not mentioned in the new regulations.