City planners approve hotel plan
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The Moorpark Planning Commission approved a proposal for a 112-room hotel to be built next year on White Sage Road near the 23 Freeway. It will be next to Special Devices Inc. and across the street from the new Warehouse Discount Center.

The four-story Fairfield Inn & Suites, which is a division of Marriott, will have Mediterranean-style architecture to match nearby developments. Currently, there are no hotels in Moorpark.

Planning Commissioner Kipp Landis voted against the proposal at the Tuesday meeting because the plans didn't appear to be as upscale as he would have liked, he said.

"It's sort of a big box with flagstones that fits with the architectural scheme in the area, but since it's going to be visible from the freeway, the architecture could have used improvements," Landis said.

He also felt there wasn't enough information provided at the meeting to approve the project.

"We have a need in the community to provide visitors with a place to stay, but I wasn't impressed with the presentation," he said.

But the four other planning commissioners approved the project because they feel it will serve the community well.

"It's not meant to be a destination point for Moorpark. It's meant to be accessible and affordable to accommodate business people and short-term visitors," said Robert Peskay.

"This is not a Ritz Carlton, but it's quite a step up for a Fairfield," the commissioner said.

The hotel will feature small conference rooms to serve the community, and the outside structure is enhanced compared to standard Fairfield facilities, according to Peskay. It will be constructed on a 2.38-acre pad that is already graded.

"It's very exciting," said Lisa Masotti, president and CEO of the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce.

"The hotel will bring more jobs into the community and we won't have to refer people to other cities," she said. The Chamber gets several phone calls weekly from individuals who are seeking hotel accommodations in Moorpark.

Athletic teams have tournaments, but no place to stay, Masotti said. Business travelers, people visiting family and friends, and those who are looking to move into the area are also likely to use the local hotel, she said.

The new hotel could also provide an ideal gathering spot for local groups that have been using Simi Valley facilities because there are no hotels in Moorpark, she said.

The proposal will be reviewed by the City Council in April or May, said Dave Bobardt, planning director for Moorpark.