The Agoura Hills City Council adopted its General Plan 2035, marking the completion of five years of work that outlines what the city is expected to look like over the next several decades.

The framework for city development is updated every 10 years, but if circumstances change—or officials have a change of heart on specific guidelines—the document can periodically be revised.

The city planning commission gave the General Plan a stamp of approval in February and certified its final environmental impact report, which outlines the effect of city growth on the environment, including traffic flow issues, redevelopment, and how to preserve cultural buildings in the city. The report also lays out mitigation measures for problems that could arise due to development.

The plan covers every aspect of life in Agoura Hills, anticipating how land use, housing, open space, public safety and other elements of growth will impact the city in the next quarter-century.

Since Agoura Hills is built out residentially, the plan predicts the main changes will come in the commercial sector, said Mike Kamino, director of planning and community development.

The document’s focus, Kamino said, is to “maintain, enhance and refine” life in Agoura Hills.

Woody Tescher, a consultant with PBS&J, a Los Angelesbased planning and urban design firm, presented the new General Plan.

Regarding commercial real estate, the plan advocates smaller, neighborhood centers.

Councilmember Harry Schwarz said the plan looks at the “end life” of the city’s two main shopping centers, a time when the property will be ready for redevelopment.

The General Plan allows for changes in how the Vons and Ralphs shopping centers on Kanan Road may one day be redeveloped.

According to the plan, the city could one day approve secondstory residential units above businesses in the two shopping centers. Landlords are offered incentives to redevelop the centers.

Councilmember Denis Weber assured residents that nobody wants “giant building blocks” on top of small businesses. The design, he said, will be “subtle and low key.”

The concept of mixing residential with commercial property at the shopping centers on Kanan Road led to some resentment.

Pat McGregor said “doubledecking” the shopping centers would create more traffic. “It doesn’t make sense at all,” she said.

Councilmember Dan Kuperberg said the option to introduce residential homes in the centers “provides flexibility” for future councils.

The mixing of residential and commercial uses already has been outlined in Agoura Village, a mixed-use development plan for south of the freeway.

The city mandated that Agoura Road west of Kanan Road should never be expanded to a multi-lane street in either direction so that the area could keep its rural ambiance.

Also discussed was the cultural identity of the city. Tescher said a redeveloped Whizin’s Market Square will enhance the identity of the city, as will the effort to preserve the city’s historical buildings.

Old Agoura is described in the document as a historic area whose semi-rustic ambiance should be preserved.

Environmental goals also are outlined in the plan. Tescher said the plan is “permeated” with ways for the city to “reduce its footprint on the environment.” The plan addressed water conservation and climate change.

Former Agoura Hills Mayor Joan Yacovone urged the improvement of wildlife habitat linkages in the area.

Phil Ramuno, representing the Old Agoura Homeowners Association, said he would have liked to have the plan show how fallen trees impact local streams.

Principal Planner Allison Cook said a central theme in the plan is to maintain the city’s “small town feel.”

Councilmember John Edelston said the plan might not have gone far enough to alleviate traffic on Kanan Road.

For further information on the General Plan and the environmental report, visit the website www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us or call the city at (818) 597-7300.