Appeal for Liberty Canyon homes defeated

A developer's appeal to the city council to allow a 27-home development on the south side of Agoura Hills has been defeated.

Councilmembers Bill Koehler and Harry Schwarz abstained from a public hearing on the matter, since they served on the city's planning commission at the time the project was turned down.

The development calls for 27 single family homes to be developed on two tracts on the south side of Agoura Road, west of Liberty Canyon Road.

The city council said it was concerned about the 33 oak trees that would have to be removed to accommodate the development, and an additional 15 oak trees that could be harmed. Also, the size of the homes was said to be too large for the lots.

Chuck Cohen of Riopharm USA Inc., the developer, presented council members with a proposal to overturn the planning commission's decision.

Riopharm had previously received approval to construct 14 attached duplex townhomes, which commissioners believed was consistent with the medium density residential requirement for the area. But Cohen said the single-family homes would be more compatible with existing homes in the area.

The parcels would range in size from 3,900 square feet to 18,445 square feet and the homes would be between 3,000 and 4,300 square feet with garages.

"I just felt that there wasn't enough elbow room," Mayor Denis Weber said.

Councilmember Dan Kuperberg felt the homes were too large for the lots.

Joan Yacovone, a former mayor of Agoura Hills, said one of the homes had only a threefoot setback from Agoura Road.

"It's mansionization to the max," Yacovone said. "(The proposed development) is out of character with the neighborhoods and anything in Agoura Hills."

According to Cohen, "These homes will not be imposing . . . They will not intimidate houses on the west."

Robert Evren, who spoke on behalf of the Old Agoura Homeowner's Association, said the proposed density would be higher than anywhere else in the city.

Cohen said he would consider reducing the size of the homes, but said, "From our standpoint, we believe we are entitled to a house on each lot."

Councilmember John Edelston said that while he wasn't a fan of cluster housing, he'd like to see homes that are smaller in scale.

"Take the council's comments to heart and come back with changes," Edelston told Cohen.

Although disappointed with the council's decision, Cohen said he will continue to work with city staff on developing the property.