Commonwealth Studios is planning to build an independent filming complex on a 37-acre site in Moorpark, which would create an estimated 150 jobs and bring in hundreds more.

The $125 million, 600,000-square-foot facility is slated to break ground in April 2009, with completion expected within 12 to 18 months, said Robert Flink, vice president of Lee & Associates, who represented Commonwealth in arranging a joint-venture deal with the property owner.

Commonwealth said it would be the largest independent movie studio in the country, matching the size of CBS Studio Center in Studio City.

The project is in the preliminary stage, and no application has been submitted to the city. The developer has met with city staff members "a couple of times this year," said Dave Bobardt, Moorpark's planning director.

"We'll take a look at it very carefully to make sure it's a good use for the city and a good use for the investors," Bobardt said.

About 90 percent of the 37-acre property is zoned industrial, the required designation to operate a studio. The first step in the application process would be to get the city to rezone the remaining portion from commercial use to industrial use, Bobardt said.

The property — owned by Los Angeles Avenue Associates — is on the outskirts of the city facing Highway 118, across from agricultural fields and just west of a Southern California Edison power station.

Neighbor likes idea

The studio would be just a few blocks away from Poindexter Avenue, near the home of Sean Canterbury, a 15-year Moorpark resident who thinks a little bit of Hollywood would put the city on the map.

"It would be a great thing for Moorpark," he said. "It would bring in huge tax revenues for the city."

But not everyone is entirely pleased. Dale Whitaker, owner of Whitaker Hardware store on High Street, said it's a good idea, but he thinks there should be measures to help keep traffic down.

"It will bring in a lot of people and a lot of traffic," Whitaker said.

Whitaker said his store already gets Hollywood industry customers during location shoots for movies and TV shows, such as "My Name is Earl."

The Cactus Patch, a nearby restaurant, has walls lined with photos of actors who have traveled to Moorpark for location shoots, including John Wayne.

Owner Joan Martinez said she'd like to hear more about the studio project.

"I'd like it to go to a public meeting to get some input from residents, too," Martinez said.

The public will get that opportunity as the project works its way through a city approval process that involves several steps, including public hearings, Bobardt said.

Jenn Berry, a casting coordinator at Lucasfilm Animation, was "thrilled" to learn about the proposal. Three years ago, the Simi Valley native moved to Petaluma, just north of San Francisco. Now she's thinking of moving back, once the studio is built.

"Putting something this close to Simi not only opens up doors for me, but for so many people in the entertainment industry who have always had to commute to Santa Monica and Burbank," Berry said. "It's going to be really exciting to have that in our back yard."

14 soundstages planned

Studio plans call for 14 soundstages, ranging from 9,600 to 20,000 square feet. There also will be office buildings, conference center, screening theater and an outside set that will be outfitted for rain and fire effects. Other amenities include a health club, pool, spa and commissary.

There is a great need for more soundstages in Southern California, said John Marshall, president and chief operating officer for Commonwealth.

"If a motion picture producer went to Warner Bros. or Paramount and wanted some space, nothing would be available," Marshall said.

There are about 270 soundstages in Hollywood, while there are 1,900 production companies in the surrounding areas, he added.

Marshall and Commonwealth Chief Executive and Chairman Bernard Weitzman decided on Moorpark because of its proximity to Hollywood.

"It was the closest location that was financially viable to create a studio that can compete with not only Hollywood, but all over the world," Marshall said.

The decision was also based on land availability.

"It's hard to find 37 acres anywhere in Southern California," Weitzman added.

Commonwealth estimates there would be 150 direct jobs on-site. In addition, producers will bring in their own crews, as many as 50 people at each of the 14 soundstages at various times, Flink said.

The studio would be a "real asset" and close to a strong Hollywood industry labor force in the Conejo Valley, said Valerie Draeger, president of Triliad Development Inc. of Thousand Oaks, the project's developer.