Water Storage Site Decision Delayed : Government: Council members suspend an environmental review of tank sites on Mesa Drive.

A cautious City Council suspended an environmental review of two Mesa Drive sites being considered for a proposed 4-million-gallon water tank Wednesday, prompting opponents to criticize what some considered inaction.

“The decision is a political decision that lets them avoid the issue until [October] 18th,” said Mesa Drive resident Vern Simmen.

On Oct. 18 the council is scheduled to re-examine more than a dozen possible reservoir sites in unincorporated Mesa Heights, including the two disputed parcels.

“If there are some better sites out there, I want to see them,” Councilman Stan Daily said to the applause of the more than 50 Camarillo Heights residents in attendance.

Daily characterized Wednesday’s unanimous council vote as an exercise in democracy.

“We must always remember the motto of the City of Camarillo--’ Las Personas Son la Ciudad ‘--’The People Are the City.’ ”

“That’s even the Heights,” added Mayor Mike Morgan, the only council member to unequivocally say the Mesa Drive sites should be eliminated from consideration.

Homeowners fear the city’s desire to build the 140-foot-diameter concrete tank, which would be partially underground, is courting possible catastrophe from a nearby active earthquake fault. They also worry about the impact on neighborhood aesthetics and property values.

The tank project, which would cost as much as $4.4 million, is needed to ensure adequate water supplies for residential use and to fight fires, according to the city.

Officials have said they won’t build the reservoir on or next to an active earthquake fault. But Councilwoman Charlotte Craven noted that opposition is very likely to arise wherever the tank is located.

“There is not a single place on this hill, or any other hill around the city of Camarillo, where we could site a reservoir that somebody wouldn’t object [to],” she said.

“I certainly would like to see a tank like this as far way from populated areas as much as possible,” Councilman Ken Gose said before the meeting.

Monetary considerations may have played a role in the council’s decision to essentially delay making any definitive decision.

To date, the $61,000 environmental review is about one-third complete. With $22,000 already spent, city staff warned that if different sites are selected next month, “a significant portion of the work product to date would be lost and the EIR (environmental impact review) process essentially would begin from the beginning.”

Originally anticipated to be completed at the end of October, the review now isn’t expected to be finished until November.