MOORPARK : Discussion Delayed on Annexation Vote

The Moorpark City Council has delayed until next week a discussion on whether to hold a citywide vote before going ahead with a plan to annex more than 4,000 acres.

The council late Wednesday decided to postpone consideration of Councilman John Wozniak’s suggestion that a citywide advisory election be held before the city proceeds with the annexation, which could eventually increase Moorpark’s size by more than 50%.

But the city’s slow-growth contingent and business community had already squared off earlier in the meeting on the merits of Messenger Investment Co.’s plan to build 3,000 homes, two golf courses, an equestrian center and retail space on the land that it owns northeast of the city limits.

Wozniak’s efforts were applauded by Clint Harper, a school board member and former councilman who has been an advocate for controlled growth.

“The Messenger project is virtually assured of bringing more impact than you realize,” said Harper, who accused the council of “rushing headlong” toward the massive expansion.

If the council did not agree to voluntarily put consideration of the annexation and Messenger project on the ballot, Harper said, he would help spearhead a public referendum on the matter.

Moorpark Chamber of Commerce President Francis Okyere said the city should proceed with the annexation and development as outlined in the city’s recently adopted General Plan update.

A last-minute challenge, Okyere said, would send a negative message to the business community.

“The business community is led to believe that you cannot come into Moorpark,” Okyere said. “We are kind of

putting the wrong perception out on the street.”

The council will consider Wozni a k’s suggestion at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 799 Moorpark Ave.