Designer Picked for Planning Panel

The City Council has picked an architectural designer and three-year Moorpark resident to fill the Planning Commission spot left open by resigning Commissioner Ted Martens.

Paul Norcross, a consultant with the Vigen Associates architecture and planning firm, may begin his new duties by the end of August, commission Chairman John Torres said.

Norcross earned a bachelor of science degree in architecture from the University of Southern California in 1976 and has worked primarily on commercial projects, designing several restaurants in Northern California.

For more than a year, he has served on the board of directors of the Campus Hills Homeowners Assn.

Norcross decided to apply for the post after learning that Martens, who belongs to the same homeowners’ association, was stepping down to attend law school.

“I think it really was to lend some of my expertise and background to help shape the community and also to help provide a conduit for some of the views in this end of town,” he said.

With several large development projects now working their way through city government, Norcross said he favors controlled, thoroughly researched growth in the community.

“Some growth is always necessary--stagnation is not good, in general,” he said. “But it should be properly managed and properly analyzed.”