MOORPARK : City to Hold Session on 4,000-Acre Project

The Moorpark City Council and the Planning Commission will get their first official look at a massive proposal to build 3,000 homes on 4,000 acres at a joint meeting scheduled next month.

The City Council on Wednesday set the Nov. 15 meeting to allow the developer, Messenger Investment Co., to introduce the project to council members and planning commissioners at the same time.

“The applicant will be given the opportunity to give us a full briefing on the project,” Mayor Paul Lawrason said. “It’s the first formal introduction. We’ve had it in (council) committee now a couple of times, and it’s time to begin to let the information flow in both directions.”

The developer held two forums in August to solicit public reaction to the project, which would be on unincorporated land north and east of the present city limits. Although the site is not now in the city, Moorpark expects eventually to annex the land, and Messenger wants to have city approval for the project.

Messenger Vice President Gary Austin said the joint session will allow him to inform council members and commissioners of the positive feedback he received during the public sessions.