Opinions Clash on Rural Development : Growth: Plans call for the construction of about 1,900 homes on farmland that lies under the approach pattern to an airport.

Pilots and farmland preservation advocates say a plan to develop almost 1,900 homes on a 290-acre tract between Las Posas Road and Central Avenue would conflict with the nearby airport and swallow dwindling agricultural lands.

The Planning Commission has delayed making a decision on the plan until Nov. 21. But late Tuesday, about a dozen speakers criticized the loss of farmland during a four-hour hearing, the first opportunity for residents to voice their opinions on the proposal.

“What we’re going to be doing is creating urban sprawl,” pilot Wally Boeck said. “I see us at a major decision point--are we going to keep our green [lands]?”

Several property owners expressed support for the annexation and development of the site, which lies across the Ventura Freeway from the airport and is surrounded on three sides by the city.

“It bothers me to think this ground is green for everyone’s benefit except ours,” said grower Phil McGrath, whose family has farmed 25 acres in the plan area since 1872. “People want to keep it green, but at whose cost?”

The City Council commissioned the Ponderosa Corridor Specific Plan in 1992 as a guide for the city’s last significant annexation of land surrounded by urban uses. Los Angeles investment group Rancho Associates, which owns more than 100 acres of the tract, requested the work and paid the $210,000 cost of the plan, Planning Director Tony Boden said.

The plan calls for construction of 1,890 single-family homes, apartments and condominiums on 107 acres; small retail and office projects; and 120 acres of parks and other open spaces. The development would create an estimated 2,000 jobs.

Residents who spoke Tuesday compared such development to Orange County’s urban sprawl and raised the likelihood of conflict between homeowners and the aviation community.

Several people noted that an environmental document makes little mention of the airport, even though the site is directly under the approach pattern of airplanes. But planners said they do not believe aircraft noise or safety concerns will be significant.

Still, the commission asked for a risk assessment because of the site’s proximity to the airport. And environmental consultant Donna Hebert conceded noise may become an issue if the airport experiences a major increase in traffic.

Pat Thomas, vice chairwoman of the county Aviation Advisory Commission, said takeoffs and landings are projected to increase from the present 190,000 a year to 300,000 annually in 20 years.

“It probably won’t make too much difference to airplanes if there are houses beneath them,” she said. “What it will impact are the people who will live in the houses.”