In a joint meeting Tuesday night, Santa Paula's City Council and Planning Commission embraced a 501-acre proposed development near the eastern edge of the city that could add 1,500 housing units.

The council and commission took several steps to move forward the proposal by Santa Paula-based Limoneira Co. known as East Area One, located in unincorporated Ventura County.

In 5-0 votes, the council introduced ordinances that could result in the adoption of a development agreement and a specific plan for the project March 3. It also voted to put a measure on the June 3 ballot that would let voters decide the fate of the project.

"We're elated," said Limoneira's president and CEO, Harold Edwards, after Tuesday night's council action. "It's a brand new day for the Santa Paula community."

Edwards said the next move for the company is to do outreach in the community to explain the benefits of the proposed development.

The development would be the largest in Santa Paula's history if it is ultimately approved, according to City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.

Tuesday was the second night the council and Planning Commission met jointly to hear public comments on the proposal. About 200 people filled Santa Paula's community center Monday night, with a smaller crowd Tuesday night.

More than a dozen people spoke Monday night, and most said the project would be beneficial since it would include 80 acres of open space — with 66 acres of park land, greenway, and trails — along with a wide range of housing and other benefits.

Elias Valdes was among those who support the project. "Everything they've done has been quality," said the 59-year-old Santa Paula native in an interview. "I'm an admirer."

Valdes said he likes the fact that East Area One could include senior housing. He said he favors having a bridge built on Santa Paula Street as a main connection to East Area One. The bridge would cross Santa Paula Creek.

There were few concerns about the project. Resident Barry Cooper said he worries about the effect of traffic he believes would be caused if a bridge is built. Cooper said he supports the project, but would rather see the bridge moved.

In the June election, Santa Paula voters would decide whether to move East Area One within the City Urban Restriction Boundary. They also would have to vote for or against increasing the area's density.

The property would also have to be annexed to become part of the city.

Councilman John Procter said he had never seen so much support for a development proposal.

"It's a strange experience," Procter said on Tuesday. "It's very different."

With Planning Commissioner Jesse Ornelas absent, the commission embraced the project in a 4-0 recommendation to the council.

On Tuesday the council also certified the project's environmental impact report, and determined that as part of the draft development agreement Limoneira would pay $5.5 million — rather than $3 million — to help construct a wastewater recycling plant.