MOORPARK : Settlement Reached in Development Suit

To end a costly lawsuit, the Moorpark City Council has approved a plan to exempt a 552-home development from any future growth-control laws.

The council voted 3 to 1 Wednesday night on the plan that will settle a lawsuit filed by Carlsberg Financial Corp., a Santa Monica developer. Councilman Patrick Hunter voted against the settlement and councilman Scott Montgomery was absent.

Although the 552-home development will be exempt from future controls, the company will have to abide by a current slow-growth law--known as Measure F--even after it expires at the end of 1995.

Carlsberg sued the city in 1991 over the fact that it was allowed to build only 405 homes on the site, contending that that number made the project economically unfeasible and that the zoning for the site allowed for much higher densities.

Various versions of the development have been before the City Council since 1986, said Councilman Bernardo Perez. At that time, he said, Carlsberg had wanted to build a large industrial area and had proposed constructing as many as 900 houses.

“I remember someone from the company saying even though their request was denied that they would get what they wanted,” Perez said. “This has been a long process. We’ve come a long way since then. You always have second thoughts, but my conclusion is that this is a good plan.”

Carlsberg President Ron Tankersley said his company was satisfied with the compromise worked out with the city.

“I’m relieved. It’s been such a long process,” he said. “I think the city and residents will be satisfied with the results.”

Construction is not expected to begin until the spring of 1996, Tankersley said. The company plans on drawing up more detailed plans with the builder, and those plans will have to be reviewed by the city.

“Now the real work begins,” Tankersley said.