Developer Threatens to Sue Moorpark

Attorneys for Messenger Investment Co. notified Moorpark City Council members Tuesday that the city will be sued if officials do not allow the company to continue with a 4,300-acre housing project.

The project proposed by Costa Mesa-based Messenger would add 3,221 homes on property that would be annexed to the city. The council initially approved the project, known as Hidden Creek Ranch.

But in a January referendum, voters rejected the development deal between the city and Messenger. In the same special election, citizens pushed through the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiative, which prevents elected officials from rezoning farmland and open spaces for development without voter approval.

In a letter to the council this week, attorneys for Messenger called the SOAR initiative unconstitutional and asked city officials to pass a resolution refusing to implement the measure. If the city refuses to cooperate, the matter will end up in court, according to the letter. “We are simply putting them on notice that we intend to file and give them an opportunity to respond,” said Ventura attorney William Paterson of Ferguson, Case, Orr, Paterson and Cunningham.

Councilman Clint Harper said he believes the company should give up on the project and come up with a different plan, one that would garner community support.

“I think it’s time Messenger gave up trying to cite the city and the community and work cooperatively on something that’s acceptable rather than working against us,” Harper said. “Now’s the time to sit down and come up with a project that’s workable. . . . If they keep fighting, they’ll just keep losing.”