Grounds of landmark spoiled
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

CLEANUP NEEDED- The Birkenshaw House grounds are moderately maintained, but the nearby orange tree grove has an accumulation of trash and garbage, as well as homeless and indigent persons. Photos by BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers

Residents say they're noticing people loitering and trash being strewn next to the historic Birkenshaw House in downtown Moorpark (see photos below).

The problem is occurring mostly on city-owned property alongside the house, where a road was supposed to be built.

"I've seen a lot of people hanging around. There's a lot of trash and drinking going on over there," said Dale Whitaker, a business owner and resident of Old Town Moorpark.

One of the concerns is that children use the easement as a shortcut to get to and from school, said Whitaker, and the those loitering and drinking could pose a danger to them. Neighbors in the area don't appreciate the undesirable activities either, he said.

The Birkenshaw House, built in the 1920s, sits on a 1.7-acre parcel on Moorpark Avenue. It's part of an 8.8-acre parcel owned by the Birkenshaw family.

LOITERING- Above, a trio of workers share a bottle of vodka at the end of the day in the orange grove next to the Birkenshaw House. The men refused to identify themselves as two were concerned about immigration issues.

"The house captures time and it's completely frozen- that's what's so great about it," said Councilmember Janice Parvin.

About two years ago the city and the landowners were working on a deal to preserve the house in exchange for development allowances that would permit higher-density housing.

But the deal fell through because the property owners wanted Moorpark taxpayers to pay for the preservation of the Birkenshaw House without public benefit, according to Assistant City Manager Hugh Riley.

"The family had too many demands and the city couldn't accept the house with all the strings attached," Riley said.

"The property is really nice; it's too bad that we haven't been able to work something out," said Parvin.

The land remains vacant and there are no immediate plans to develop it.

While most of the trash, along with graffiti, is on the public rightofway, the vacant land contributes to the problem, said City Planning Director Dave Bobardt, adding that the Department of Public Works is currently cleaning up the area.

Part of the loitering problem was caused by a homeless camp outside of the Birkenshaw property on the city easement

"They've been removed but they can come back at anytime," Bobardt said.

Parvin suggested residents call the police anytime they see loitering or trash accumulating in the area.

"If it's in the right-of-way, we're responsible for it," she said.

The city is investigating whether private property owners bear any responsibility for the conditions that exist in that area. If so, city staff will work with the owners to get things cleaned up, he said.

"We try and nip the things in the bud, but some things take longer than others," said Bobardt.

Calls to a Birkenshaw family representative were not returned.