MOORPARK : Council Is Warned About Development

Several Ventura County officials joined city residents at a Moorpark City Council hearing to warn the council about development proposals that could double the number of homes in the city.

The City Council is considering annexing up to 6.3 square miles of mostly vacant land where developers have proposed to build 5,500 homes. In addition, city officials are reviewing several developers’ proposals to construct about 4,000 homes within the current city boundaries.

Ventura County Planning Director Keith Turner told city officials that he is concerned that the proposed developments have too low a density to ease the city’s and county’s affordable-housing crisis. Of the eight development proposals being considered by the city, five call for building less than two housing units per acre.

“Very low-density housing is not usually conducive to providing affordable housing,” Turner said.

One reason Moorpark needs more development is to increase the amount of affordable housing, city officials have said.

Similarly, an official with the county’s Air Pollution Control District warned the City Council against approving low-density developments where residents would have to use automobiles to shop and do other business.

“Land use decisions have a direct impact on air quality,” APCD Planning Director Bill Mount said. “We encourage you to emphasize developments that minimize auto dependency.”

Almost all the residents who spoke at the hearing decried the proposals, warning that growth will aggravate problems such as traffic congestion, crime, air pollution and the water shortage.

One resident presented a petition signed by 172 households opposed to the Messenger Investment Co.’s proposal to build 4,800 homes in the hills north of Moorpark College.