NEWBURY PARK : Developer Agrees to Expand Size of Lots

Hoping to head off community opposition, developer Ellen Michiel said Thursday she will modify her Newbury Park housing project by expanding lot sizes to better mesh with the neighborhood.

The project has sparked a lopsided debate pitting developers Raznick & Sons Inc. of Woodland Hills against hundreds of outraged neighbors.

The Planning Commission approved 94 homes in late May, but almost 600 Newbury Park residents signed a petition urging the City Council to reconsider. A public hearing is set for July 27.

To allay neighbors’ fears that the development will be dense and crowded, Michiel decided this week to eliminate two homes and boost some lot sizes by as much as one-third. She will explain the changes at 9 a.m. Saturday at the site, just west of the intersection of Lynn and Reino roads.

Although neighbors have also voiced concern about truck traffic during construction and the effect on wetlands, Michiel hopes the lot modifications will sway her opponents.

“We’re trying to deal with their concerns about compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood,” Michiel said.

Richard Heitmann, a leader of the opposition, said he remains concerned about traffic and the amount of grading required but was pleased with Michiel’s efforts to reduce density.

With the revisions, every home facing or backing up to an already-built house will sit on at least 7,000 square feet. Only 20 lots--most on the interior of the project--will remain at less than 6,000 square feet.

The changes will bring the project in line with surrounding streets, which have lots of 6,000 to 8,300 square feet, Michiel said. More than three-quarters of the Raznick homes, which will be priced from $270,000 to $370,000, will now fall in that range.

“This is the best we can do and still have an economically viable project,” Michiel said.