An informational campaign is in the works for Santa Paula residents about a proposed ballot measure for an east-side development that would include as many as 1,350 homes.

The measure to develop in East Area One could be placed on the February 2008 presidential-primary ballot by the City Council, officials said.

If it passes, it would mark the second time Santa Paula voters supported growth in the city. On May 8, voters approved moving the urban growth boundary to include Adams Canyon, allowing development of up to 495 homes, a golf course and hotel, an unprecedented approval for big development in this era of Save Open-space & Agricultural Resources laws designed to protect open space and farmland in Ventura County. The City Council still must approve details of the development plan.

The Santa Paula-based Limoneira Co. invested at least four years and millions of dollars with plans for development in East Area One.

Company officials plan to increase campaign activities this summer, including walking precincts to inform voters and holding events.

Voters will have the choice to approve or deny moving the City Urban Restriction Boundary to include East Area One.

Limoneira's draft environmental impact report should be released this summer, and the company has spent years preparing, so the public can be informed about the project and "know what's in it for them," said Harold Edwards, Limoneira president and chief executive officer.

"If they don't approve it, then it meant that we didn't listen properly," he said.

"So it's scary, but we've committed ourselves to the process."

The development is expected to include apartments, single-family homes and estate homes on about 200 acres, which Edwards described as a mixture of "work force, single-family and executive homes." The remaining 308 acres would be for open space and agriculture.

The project would include 65 acres for educational and recreational purposes, including soccer and baseball facilities. Also, 12 acres would be reserved for an elementary school, Edwards said.

Limoneira would not be the developer, but the company would have one, he said.

Some City Council members said they believe voters could give Limoneira less resistance to moving the CURB compared to the Pinnacle Development Group, based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Pinnacle failed to convince voters to move the CURB to include Adams Canyon in 2002 and 2006. It played no role in the campaign for the May 8 election.

"The community feels that we can trust Limoneira," said Mayor Ray Luna, noting he does not mean to imply the public doesn't trust Pinnacle.

Councilman Bob Gonzales expressed similar sentiments and added he believes "the community as a whole would embrace the concept of more housing."

"It has to be quality housing," he said.

"We've had such little development in the community over the years. I think it would be good for the community."

A specific plan, which has details for land use, infrastructure and other aspects of development, and the environmental report could go to the council for approval this fall, said City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.

East Area One would have to be annexed by the city before the development can occur.

"The CURB election is really the community agreeing or disagreeing with the project," Bobkiewicz said.

"Certainly from a community's perspective, when they go to the polls they're voting a project up or down."

If development takes place, build-out could take 20 years, Edwards said, noting it's a conservative estimate.

East Area One is bordered to the east by Haun Creek and to the west by Santa Paula Creek.

Main Street and the Southern Pacific Railroad border the south and agricultural land borders the north.

Once the fate of East Area One is determined, then a complementary commercial development could take place in East Area Two, Edwards said.

Bobkiewicz said residents would not have to vote on that, because the area is within the CURB line.

"We've led with our ears and not with our mouths," Edwards said, referring to the company's willingness to listen to the community about development.

"If we're totally successful, it will be a project that the people feel was created by them and for them."