MOORPARK : Housing Project Up for Reconsideration

A $20-million housing development rejected last week by the Moorpark City Council is scheduled for reconsideration tonight at a special council meeting.

Councilman Scott Montgomery, who voted against the project, said he has changed his mind and wants the council to reconsider the bid by Kaufman and Broad to build 87 houses in the Campus Hills development in eastern Moorpark. The 494-house development has been unfinished since 1992 when the original developer, Griffin Homes, went bankrupt.

A group of homeowners has criticized Montgomery for his change of heart, saying he was “flip-flopping” to please the developers. They say the project would undermine the value of their homes by allowing smaller houses than those planned for the development.

Montgomery, who is running for county supervisor, said the attacks on his decision to reconsider the plan are politically motivated.

“I’m not the bad guy here,” Montgomery said. “It’s frustrating that the specter of campaign politics may have entered into this . . . all I’m trying to do is represent all the people of Moorpark.”

Supporters of the development said that no other offer to complete the project is likely soon, and that as part of the agreement, Kaufman and Broad would build a recreation center with the 87 houses.

Montgomery said that the most vehement criticism against him has come from members of a homeowners group whose president, Ted Martens, works for Barbara Williamson, one of his opponents in the county supervisor race.

Martens denied his criticism was politically motivated.

“The fact is that I thought he did a wonderful job trying to work out a compromise (last week),” Martens said. “But I am upset with the way it’s been handled since then.”

The special City Council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 799 Moorpark Ave.