REAL ESTATE : Official Who Favors Slow Growth Backed by Home Builder

Some observers see the campaign to recall Mission Viejo City Council member Robert A. Curtis as a not-so-subtle attempt by the Mission Viejo Co. and home builders to intimidate their political enemies in that South County city.

But while Curtis had raised only a pittance--$9,660, according to the latest filings--his largest contributor is also a home builder, apparently the only one to contribute a large sum to the beleaguered council member.

J.M. Peters Co. Inc. of Newport Beach supported Curtis when he ran for council. Though Curtis supported last year’s slow-growth initiative, the company continues to support him, a Peters spokesman said.

“We’ve never had a problem with him,” the spokesman said. “And besides, he’s a good Republican.”

Mission Viejo Co., a land development subsidiary of cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris Cos. Inc., is known for playing hardball on issues like the debate over growth. At last count, the recall campaign had raised at least $124,000, much of it from Mission Viejo Co. and the home builders it does business with like Kathryn Thompson Development and William Lyon Co.

Peters says it’s not worried about alienating Mission Viejo Co., which still has a lot of land to sell to builders. Peters has already sued Mission Viejo Co. over a land deal that went sour.

“Sometimes you’re going to differ with fellow builders,” the spokesman said. “But each of us respects each other’s differences.”