Moorpark City Hall was packed Wednesday night with residents urging the City Council not to reinstate eminent domain over 1,200 acres that officials have long hoped to rehabilitate.

About 150 people filled the council chambers, many of them standing. Dozens more were sitting in an adjoining room watching the meeting on television. Some were holding signs in English and Spanish against the measure.

Although a vote was anticipated, it had not taken place by 10 p.m.

City officials are pushing for eminent domain over the 1,200 acres in the heart of the city. The targeted area includes downtown High Street, Walnut Canyon Road and south to the Arroyo Simi, extending as far east as Condor Drive and west to Gabbert Road. Their goal is more cohesive development and economic growth.

As the meeting got under way, the city consultant, Richard Tillberg of Urban Futures Inc., discussed a recent blight report on the area and the need for eminent domain to rehabilitate it.

He stressed that adoption by the council would not include residential properties, a concern that many in the room came to speak out about.

Any changes to the agency's previous authority, such as adding residential properties, would require a citywide vote.

He said that no properties in the project area have been identified for acquisition by eminent domain, which is described as the power of a public agency to forcibly acquire private property at fair market value for public use.

"Eminent domain is a last resort of a long acquisition process," he said. That didn't allay the worries of one longtime resident of Walnut Canyon Road. "I bought this house with all my heart," Roberto Gonzalez said, speaking passionately for several minutes. "I don't like you guys," he added, directing his comments to council and staff, "and I don't want to live like you guys." The audience erupted in applause.

The five council members make up the city's Redevelopment Agency. If the measure is approved, they would be authorized to acquire commercial and industrial properties only. The agency's eminent domain authority expired in 2001, and city leaders have ramped up efforts to get the issue to a council vote for the past two years.

One of the main goals of the city's redevelopment plan is eliminating blight. A revitalized downtown includes a good mix of offices, businesses, restaurants and entertainment, officials have said.

City officials also want to bring more affordable housing to the area.