MOORPARK : Deadline Extended on Subdivision EIR

Residents will have until the end of the month to file comments on an environmental report about Moorpark’s largest proposed development.

Since the environmental impact report on the 3,221-home Hidden Creek Ranch development was made public, there has been an outpouring of interest from Moorpark residents, said nearby resident Tim Kelly. The 4,300 acres of rolling oak- and brush-covered hills slated for development are on the northeastern side of the city.

The Planning Commission voted Monday night to extend the public comment period after Kelly and several other residents expressed concern that the 30 days they had to review the more than 2,000-page report were not enough. Officials with the developers--Messenger Investment Corp. of Irvine--opposed the extension, saying the process has taken long enough.

The report looks at the impact the development would have on such things as water supplies, plants and animals in the area, traffic, and other environmental factors.

During the public hearing process, the city will accept comments and questions from the public, and government agencies can incorporate those comments into the final environmental impact report, which will be used by the City Council in deciding whether to approve the project.