Council accepts clean audit, declines immediate purchase of Princeton Avenue parcel and approves Hitch Ranch park concepts

The Moorpark City Council acted on several fiscal and land-use items at its Jan. 21 meeting.

Audit: The council received a presentation from the city’s auditors (Rogers Anderson Mallory & Scott LLP). The audit manager reported an unmodified (clean) opinion for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, with no material weaknesses, no disagreements with management and no material misstatements. Councilmembers thanked staff and auditors; the council moved to accept and file the audit by roll call (ayes recorded from Mayor Ennegrin and councilmembers Means, Barrett, Castro and Delgado).

Princeton Avenue successor-agency parcel: Staff presented an appraisal for two successor-agency parcels on Princeton Avenue appraised at $1,980,000 and reviewed the property’s history (formerly a redevelopment parcel marketed for residential development). Staff recommended not to proceed with purchase at current appraised value, citing lack of soils/geotechnical documentation and uncertainty about developable acreage and remediation costs. Council discussion focused on options to reduce acquisition cost including obtaining geotechnical reports, exploring downzoning to reduce density/value, seeking previously commissioned soils reports from interested developers, and determining whether the Oversight Board would accept a lower sale value. The council voted to accept staff’s recommendation not to purchase at this time and directed staff to attempt to obtain existing soil reports, pursue rezoning analysis and explore reappraisal based on any new technical information.

Hitch Ranch parks: The council reviewed conceptual plans from Lennar for Park A (passive, ~7.23 acres within a detention basin) and Park B (active, ~6.77 acres) as part of the Hitch Ranch specific plan. Plans include picnic areas, walking trails, restrooms, two playground structures sized for different age groups, a splash pad with separate play zones, a multipurpose room and an outdoor performance venue designed for 1,500–2,000 people. Staff noted that construction costs will be borne by the developer, with future maintenance supported by the community facilities district. Council members asked about park hours (parks generally close at dusk unless lit), restroom capacity for large events, graffiti-resistant treatments and timing; staff said the parks must be constructed by the 400th residential unit (construction trigger in the development agreement) and estimated opening models in 2028. The council approved the conceptual plans and directed staff to work with a marketing ad hoc and the developer on color/branding choices and vandal-resilience measures.

Other votes: Council approved consent items, and adopted Ordinance No. 532 (amending the Moorpark Municipal Code definition of "artist") by roll call.