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Plan for luxury homes in Somis rejected by county commissoners
A developer's plan to convert the Cabrillo Tennis Club in Somis into lots for luxury homes was rejected by county planning commissioners on Thursday because of concerns about proximity to neighboring farmland.
The proposal by Camarillo developer David Morehead of M&M Development will now go to the county Board of Supervisors, which has the final say. The conversion requires supervisors' approval of a zoning change from commercial to residential use for the 8.2-acre tract in Somis.
Morehead, who owns the site off Highway 118, wants to raze the tennis courts, swimming pool and clubhouse and build eight homes on lots ranging from 40,000 to 41,000 square feet, according to planning documents. The club, where professional tennis doubles champions Mike and Bob Bryan of Camarillo played as youths, was losing money in recent years.
Commissioner Michael Wesner cast the single vote recommending the project. "We're in an agricultural community. Conflicts between homeowners and farmers are always going to occur," Wesner said.
The plan calls for a buffer of 70 to 100 feet on the south and west portions of the project area, which buttress farm fields. The distances were recommended by the county agricultural commissioner and endorsed by the county planning department, Wesner said.
But the majority of commissioners said the homes would still be too close to agricultural land. Several called for at least 150 feet between the lots and farm fields.
Several letters opposing the project, from tennis club members, nearby farmers and others, were sent to county planners during the environmental review process.
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