Residents have their say about future of Agoura Village plan

Development proposal outdated, critics say



IN TALKS—Tom Jirovsky, senior advisor at Kosmont Companies and a consultant, talks to residents during the Agoura Village Specific Plan workshop Nov. 13 at the Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

IN TALKS—Tom Jirovsky, senior advisor at Kosmont Companies and a consultant, talks to residents during the Agoura Village Specific Plan workshop Nov. 13 at the Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

The City of Agoura Hills held the first in a series of workshops last week to review the 2008 Agoura Village Specific Plan, the city’s blueprint for turning Agoura Road between Kanan and Cornell roads into a new town center. More than 100 people attended the Nov. 13 meeting at the Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center.

It was the first attempt to garner public comment about the development zone in a process that is expected to extend into the new year. The City Council said it will be reviewing the decade-old plan to see if changes are warranted.

While the prospect of several new residential, commercial and retail developments targeted for just south of the freeway has frightened some, the builders of the projects and the officials in the city responsible for overseeing their design remain convinced that Agoura Village, as the area is known, will eventually come to life.

In the pipeline

Two major developments calling for office, retail and residential uses have been discussed. Cornerstone, at the intersection of Agoura and Cornell roads, was proposed by developers and received a green light from the city, but stalled last year and remains mired in litigation.

BUILD HERE—A rendering submitted by critics of The Ave development at Kanan and Agoura roads show the changes they would like to see. Not opposed to the project, the opponents just want it scaled back.

BUILD HERE—A rendering submitted by critics of The Ave development at Kanan and Agoura roads show the changes they would like to see. Not opposed to the project, the opponents just want it scaled back.

The Ave (Agoura Village East) at the Agoura-Kanan intersection— with stores, apartments and 120-bed hotel—submitted a development application to the city and awaits further review by planners.

The evening was an opportunity for the council “to obtain feedback, ideas and input about the issues and concerns related to the Agoura Village Specific Plan,” Agoura Hills Mayor Linda Northrup said in her opening remarks.

The evening began with a presentation by Kosmont Companies, a Manhattan Beach real estate advisory firm, about the state of the commercial real estate industry in the city, followed by breakout discussions in four facilitator-led groups in which participants were encouraged to document their questions and concerns in writing.

GUIDING FORCE—Mayor Linda Northrup opens the workshop. MICHAEL COONS/ Acorn Newspapers

GUIDING FORCE—Mayor Linda Northrup opens the workshop. MICHAEL COONS/ Acorn Newspapers

“This is not a process with an outcome in mind,” said Northrop. “Nothing is off-limits except disrespect. No decisions will be made; we are fully engaged in the process.”

The comments from the Nov. 13 meeting will be compiled for a second workshop expected to be held in February 2020. “We’re moving forward,” Northrup said.

Kosmont’s Thomas Jirovsky, a senior consultant, said the Agoura Village Specific Plan adopted in 2008 incorporates almost 300 new multi-family apartment and condominium units and up to 570,000 square feet of commercial development. Development is limited to two-stories for residential buildings and three-stories for those that have homes above and stores below.

The plan comprises 300 acres that are divided into seven zones with unique allowable uses and development standards.

Zone A is north and south of Agoura road in the central village area and allows for the largest amount of retail, entertainment and residential development. Zone B, West Village, is west of Kanan Road. Zone D-East and E-East Village sit at the intersection of Agoura and Cornell Roads. Zone G is preserved as open space.

Current economy

Jirovsky said that while the Agoura Hills retail market remains healthy, “there are limited opportunities for substantial new development.”

“There are limited prospects for attracting major new retail in the most desirable locations, given recent trends,” he said.

While the specific plan calls for a 50% increase in citywide commercial land use, Agoura Road is a “challenging location,” Jirovsky said.

He characterized the city’s office market as weak.

Hotels are faring better, he said, with occupancy rates of 90% and, according to the study, “the regional market can support some expansion without cannibalizing the current market.”

The strongest market demand is for multi-family housing.

Following the presentation, attendees were randomly divided into four, facilitator-led groups.

Participants were asked to pen their questions, which were then displayed on a large board.

Some of the questions that were displayed include: “How many entrances are there to the development on Agoura Road? Kanan Road?”

“Does it have to be that huge?”

“What is the effect on traffic?”

“How much additional revenue will be generated to the city?”

“Who owns the land?”

And, “Why did the City Council approve this development?”

The second part of the session asked participants what specifically they would like to see in Agoura Village.

The responses included, “No hotel,” “No access to Kanan,” “Reduce allowable traffic,” “Preserve open space,” “No development at all—purchase the land,” “More housing,” “Dark sky—low lighting,” “Fire danger evacuation,” “Foot traffic flow,” “Affordable housing,” “Limit to two stories,” and one comment that said, “Build nothing.”

“This workshop was the beginning of what I hope will be a robust community engagement process,” Northrup said. “I am happy that so many people attended and gave their open and heartfelt feedback and concerns.”

The City Council will take the comments and those from future workshops under consideration as the plan goes under full review.

People can email their comments to the city at avspinfo@ ci.agoura-hills.ca.us.