Lake Sherwood Project Draws Opposition

Westlake Village-area residents registered their opposition Thursday to a proposed 700-home development at nearby Lake Sherwood, saying it would increase traffic, noise and air pollution.

But residents of Lake Sherwood, most of whom spoke in favor of the development, said the Murdock Development Co.’s proposal would ensure continued maintenance of the man-made lake and provide needed sewer and water systems.

The opposing views came during a daylong hearing before the Ventura County Planning Commission. The commission, which must decide whether to grant land use and zoning changes needed to build the 1,900-acre development, continued the hearing until June 18.

600 Signatures

Noting the opposition of more than 600 Westlake-area residents who signed petitions calling for reduction of the project’s size, Lake Sherwood owner and project developer David Murdock told commissioners that it is impossible to “please everyone, all the time.”

“The greatest opposition comes from those who are not living in our area,” Murdock said. “The biggest majority of people speak in favor of the project.”

Murdock has promised to build sewer and water systems for the 122 existing Lake Sherwood homeowners and to see that the 154-acre lake is properly maintained.

But project opponents told commissioners that the development would violate a number of longstanding county policies that forbid large-scale development in the area.

In objecting to the increase in traffic and air pollution that the development would cause, Westlake resident Ken Bauer said, “I speak for a significant and rapidly growing bloc of voters who are concerned with overdevelopment of our community.”

Murdock’s proposal calls for construction of about 700 luxury homes and condominiums, as well as an 18-hole golf course, country club and marina. Some of the estate-sized lots for homes will have 20 to 40 acres and will carry price tags in the range of $1 million. County officials estimate that 1,700 people would move into the development.