Fight continues over Agoura Hills shops
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

After four years of wrangling with Adler Realty Investments Inc. over its plan to build restaurants and shops on Canwood Street, the Agoura Hills City Council felt six more weeks of fine-tuning the project couldn't hurt.

Council members are giving Danari Oak Creek, a branch of Adler Realty Investments, another chance to reconfigure the project according to the city's recommendations.

At its April 23 meeting, the City Council heard the Adler group's appeal of an earlier decision by the city planning commission to deny the project known as the Shops at Oak Creek. The five-hour meeting resulted in a continuation of project hearing until June 25.

The property is adjacent to the 336-unit Oak Creek Apartments near Medea Creek and Kanan Road. The investment firm purchased the property from J.H. Snyder Co. on the condition that upscale restaurants would be built at the site.

Initially, two office buildings and four restaurants were planned . The City Council also approved a Homewood Suites Hotel.

Adler submitted plans for a five-building project spanning nearly 34,000 square feet. The plan includes two upscale restaurants, four smaller restaurants and some smaller retail businesses.

Businesses that have expressed interest include Urban Cafe, Panda Express, a coffee shop and a telephone store. Possibilities for higherend restaurants include Matteo's Italian restaurant and an Asian seafood establishment. Adler said one of the restaurant sites may be split to include an Argentine steakhouse.

But planning commissioners denied the project because the developer didn't amend the designs as requested. Commissioners and council members don't want the buildings configured in a linear fashion. They also had requested that the developer take advantage of the creek environment and increase "pedestrian amenities."

The project is "vastly superior to what has previously been approved in the city," said Chuck Cohen, speaking on behalf of the Adler group. He said company president Michael Adler and his architect, Ken Soudani, had adopted many of the recommendations made by the city.

Soudani said the project had been enhanced for pedestrians with plaza features which include trellises, seating and either a public art or water feature.

The latest plan calls for singlestory Craftsman-style buildings. A higher tower was designed to add architectural drama. While the restaurants may not be pushed back to face the creek, large picture windows in the back of both restaurant sites frame the creek and an oak tree located at the back of the property.

Councilmember Dan Kuperberg was miffed about what he considered a "veiled threat" that if this project wasn't approved, the developer would have no alternative but to build office buildings instead.

Mike Kamino, director of community development, said suggestions had been made to the developer to avoid the "strip mall" appearance of the businesses.

Councilmember Denis Weber, however, was satisfied with the design of the project. He said Adler provided more landscaping and had eliminated parking spaces to enhance the features of the creek.

Adler said the density of the project had been halved and the different roofline heights and design features of the five buildings softened the linear effect of the design.

"Businesses want exposure," Soudani said of the need for all the buildings to be visible from the freeway corridor, "further reductions are not financially feasible." He said if two of the buildings were tucked alongside the creek they would be hidden and "difficult to lease."

Another issue that vexed council members was the entrance to the project. They had hoped Adler would configure his plans to take in the view of an oak tree. Soudani explained that the oak tree was "depressed" and only the middle and upper portion of the tree would be in view.

"Oak trees are very special- they are a perfect place for a picnic," Soudani said. "Enjoy it from the level it should be enjoyed."

Weber agreed. "When I pull in (to a restaurant), I'm not going to be looking at a tree," he said.

Parking also was an issue. "We struggled for every parking space we could find," Soudani said.

Weber called the project a "big win" and suggested that the council not micromanage the design.

"The devil's in the details," Mayor John Edelston said. He suggested that the applicant step back and reconsider what the council wants.

Cohen said he would not apologize for the current rendition, but would make a "good faith effort" to meet more of the council's requirements.