Officials in Moorpark Express Concerns on SOAR Initiative

During the second of three meetings to discuss the local SOAR initiative, city officials Tuesday continued to question the effects the measure could have on Moorpark.

The meetings--including Tuesday night’s two-hour session, which attracted 20 people on both sides of the issue--are intended to help city officials decide whether they will take a position on the initiative, designed to restrict building on farmland and open space.

Among the concerns expressed by city officials Tuesday was whether the local Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiative--which would prohibit the city from expanding its borders into surrounding farmland without a public vote--could subject the city to lawsuits.

City Councilman Chris Evans also questioned whether the measure would make it difficult to create affordable housing or would tie the city’s hand in voting on the 3,200-home Hidden Creek Ranch housing project, which would be built just outside the current city border.

Richard Francis, an author of the initiative, said it would require developers to take more care in proposing projects outside the city’s boundaries, knowing they would have to receive approval not only from the City Council but also from the public. It would also help shield the council from pressure by developers, he said.

The measure, if approved by voters, would draw a boundary for the city and prevent urban sprawl, said Francis, who added that affordable housing could--with certain restrictions--be allowed outside the city limits if no areas could be found within the boundary.

SOAR supporters say they have gathered nearly half the signatures necessary to qualify the initiative for the November ballot.