Pardee homeowners prevail
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Following a recent weekend of protests by Moorpark Highlands homeowners, developer Pardee Homes surrendered to the residents' demands.

A large group of homeowners who purchased houses in the Highlands last year picketed near Pardee's sales office about two weeks ago because the developer said it would eliminate for future homebuyers a costly property assessment known as Mello-Roos. To stay competitive in a tough real estate market, the developer offered to pay the entire assessment on behalf of new buyers.

Current residents considered the incentive unethical because it would reduce the value of their homes. If MelloRoos assessments were eliminated for new buyers, the community would be divided, they said. New buyers would have more equity because they wouldn't carry the extended and costly assessment, the homeowners said.

The complaints prompted Pardee officials to change their minds.

"After further consideration, we have decided to end the Community Facilities District (MelloRoos) assessment incentive being provided to new homebuyers at our Moorpark Highlands community," said Jim Bizzelle, vice president of community development for Pardee Homes, in a letter to residents.

"We sympathize with our residents who raised all these concerns and we acted accordingly," he said.

But Bizzelle also said homebuyers and homebuilders alike are facing difficult housing markets that present new challenges and Pardee needs to stay competitive in a constantly changing market.

Pardee will pay the MelloRoos assessment for five years for everyone; after that, individual homeowners will have to pay it.

"We're just going back to the way we were doing business beforehand," Bizzelle said. The incentive was discontinued and no new buyers benefited from the offer, he said.

Residents are satisfied with the outcome for the time being.

"Now that everybody is on the same playing field, I am happy with their decision," said Ann Colemon, a Thousand Oaks resident who bought a house late last year and will move in later this month.

"We asked for a 'fair offer,' and we got what we asked for," said Highlands resident Jen Standage.