Local News in Brief : Moorpark Approves Big Housing Project

The Moorpark City Council has approved a 484-unit housing project for the hills above Moorpark College, reversing an earlier vote.

The council voted 3 to 1 Monday night in favor of the project after adding a provision requiring the developer to contribute $580,000 toward construction of a thoroughfare in eastern Moorpark. Calabasas-based Griffin Homes also said it would pay for a study of the proposed road.

Although the council’s action does not specify any route, it was prompted by Councilman Danny Woolard’s view that the Griffin project will worsen traffic and should be tied to building a road connecting the Simi Valley and Moorpark freeways.

That road will probably pass through land owned by Bob Butler, an industrialist and close friend of Councilman Thomas C. (Bud) Ferguson. The road’s cost was estimated at $6.6 million to $7.8 million and will probably require land donations from property owners, possibly in exchange for zoning concessions to permit industrial development, according to city officials.

After consulting City Atty. Cheryl J. Kane, Ferguson said Monday night that he did not have a conflict of interest in voting on the plan because he has no financial interest in land along the probable route.

Another council member, Leta Yancy-Sutton, disqualified herself because she was the real estate agent in the land sale to Griffin.

In December, the project’s environmental impact report was rejected by a 2-2 vote amid concerns about traffic congestion. In January, it was stalled by Woolard’s recommendation to link the housing project to building a new road.

Under the plan approved Monday, Griffin Homes will also provide sites for an elementary school and a park on the 254-acre tract.