MAYOR WANTS CITY SPHERE EXPANDED : HUNTER ADVOCATES MORE CONTROL OVER DEVELOPMENT NEAR MOORPARK.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

When Moorpark incorporated in 1983, it set its sphere of influence strictly within its borders and chose not to claim any decision-making authority over surrounding land.

Now, Mayor Pat Hunter wants to expand the area over which city officials have a say, giving Moorpark more control to direct its future.

``Certain land-use decisions made by the county Board of Supervisors in the areas directly adjacent to our city have made it apparent, more than ever, that the city has to examine expanding its sphere of influence,'' Hunter said.

At its meeting tonight, the City Council will discuss whether to conduct a sphere of influence study - the first step in a process that would give the city greater control over the unincorporated land around it.

Developers of projects within a city's sphere of influence generally deal with the municipality - which has more stringent regulations - rather than the county in land-use issues, officials say.

The study would give the city tools to help it plan for growth, said Supervisor Judy Mikels, who suggested the study at a recent meeting.

``They have some real issues to deal with, and that's a good place to start,'' Mikels said.

An application to expand the city's sphere of influence would have to be approved by the county's Local Agency Formation Commission.

Hunter said the sphere of influence issue is relevant now because of several recent decisions by the supervisors that will have an impact on Moorpark's quality of life, Hunter said.

In December the county approved expansion plans by Transit Readymix, a sand and gravel mining company, which will add nearly 1,200 truck trips per year through the city, he said.

And last month, the board approved Moorpark rancher Ralph Mahan's plan to open two golf driving ranges in the Tierra Rejada Greenbelt despite protests by both Moorpark and Thousand Oaks. The greenbelt, considered prime open space, is intended as a natural buffer between cities to prevent urban sprawl.

``The residents of our city want to jealously protect our open space and the greenbelt, and that is one of the reasons we are looking at this amendment to the sphere of influence,'' Hunter said.

And now, there is a proposal afoot to open a recycling plant at the former Egg City plant, which the mayor said will further add to the city's traffic woes.

The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. in the Moorpark Community Center, 799 Moorpark Road.