MOORPARK : Proposals for Zoo, Golf Courses on Hold

Ventura County supervisors have postponed consideration of proposals for two new golf courses and a zoo for endangered species planned for the east county.

The board this week delayed hearing the proposals until Dec. 20 because Supervisor Vicky Howard, whose district includes the properties on which the projects would be built, was unable to attend the meeting.

Developer Ralph Mahan is seeking to build two 18-hole golf courses at Happy Camp Regional Park, a county-owned park north of Moorpark. Mahan wants to enter into a lease agreement with the county that would enable him to raise the money to build the golf courses, which officials estimate could generate between $250,000 and $500,000 annually for the county.

In a separate proposal, a Los Angeles-based group wants to lease a county park between Moorpark and Simi Valley that it plans to eventually develop into a zoo for rare animals. Supporters say the zoo would be a world-class tourist attraction that would pump millions of dollars into the local economy.

But Moorpark officials have expressed concerns about traffic that would be generated from both projects, and have complained that the county is moving ahead too quickly on both proposals.