[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6560812,"mediaKeyId","3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc","parentId",3307825,"title","Council debates downtown gathering-space study and land-use updates; rent stabilization and sober-living regulation not recommended","audioSeconds",716,"startMs",1653000,"endMs",2369000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc&start=1653&end=2369","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc/thumbnail_1653000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560812/Agoura-Hills/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-debates-downtown-gathering-space-study-and-land-use-updates-rent-stabilization-and-sober-living-regulation-not-recommended","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560812-e2cf7659ded6ad3e3bcd515558c06b8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155938&Signature=OpHjyBTI3ejzN-6UOUUBf5pPpTh5ABVWBk7DvblEbceUd8ha9niepn7wi5OICI0cf5ANagPzBWnzJUJ0EVascJ4ige1saBsAEoq9CKnf-mUuI7T6XFrE5RL5ez3sT91AVpaJg3tlk0YqBKsJcaM3-0UaGFx2tk~2xM-z9pG0GNPbLzBJfL2dOweWFjkcTfcu-FBIXHlLuPLLoG4a7atB7hNj6bBThU-wIh8ly8Wq-L7BsU2liVPH20U9iVIsLnbbTeT-mgWdB7V2niYOZkmMJWUlYzbdMgetB84BP21Ik3LlcUEKKnEue24II5UOdi7oJcNvjIHFCOffa4SaauJWEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-14T21:34:51Z","article","The land-use and economic-development subcommittee presented several proposed goals for council consideration and recommended priorities for staff study and possible code amendments.

Key subcommittee recommendations and council discussion included:

- Old Agoura commercial-overlay design standards: Subcommittee recommended an estimated $75,000 over two years for a design standards program; council members flagged this as important but possibly deferable because of limited general-fund dollars.

- Solar and generator backup system code review: Subcommittee recommended staff time and legal review of screening and code requirements for residential batteries and generators and suggested pausing enforcement while the review is conducted; councilmembers emphasized encouraging backup systems for resilience without duplicative permitting burdens.

- Hillside ordinance review: Subcommittee recommended a $60,000 general-fund allocation for a code update; some councilmembers said they want stronger, court-defensible hillside protections but several acknowledged the budget constraint may push this to a later year.

- Artificial turf review: Subcommittee recommended staff analysis only (no recommended dollars), asking staff to analyze environmental and fire-safety alignment with the city’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan before any code changes.

- Downtown public-gathering-space study: Subcommittee recommended a $50,000 study to explore possible downtown public gathering locations and potential public–private partnerships; councilmembers discussed a lower $30,000 study option and asked staff to consider internal work to reduce costs and to consult HCD (Department of Housing and Community Development) on potential housing impacts if mixed-use zoning were proposed.

- Rent stabilization and renter-protection measures: the subcommittee did not recommend moving forward this year, noting that most rental stock would not be covered due to building age and that the issue could be revisited in future years.

- Sober-living/group-home regulation: subcommittee recommended not pursuing new local regulation due to unsettled legal precedent and possible conflict with federal fair-housing protections; staff and council noted contract-city status and legal risk as factors.

Councilmembers asked staff to return with lower-cost options, to explore grant or partner funding, and to include HCD consultation if mixed-use or housing outcomes are part of a downtown study. No final budget votes on these items were taken at the workshop.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agoura Hills Special City Council Meeting- Goal Setting Workshop 5/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The land-use subcommittee recommended design standards, code reviews, and a downtown public-gathering-space study; councilmembers asked for lower-cost alternatives and legal checks before assigning general-fund dollars.","taxTitle","Agoura Hills, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",57347,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560817,"Old Agoura residents press council for Chesebro Road repairs and trails work; council weighs funding trade-offs",336,731000,1067000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc&start=731&end=1067","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc/thumbnail_731000.jpg","/articles/6560817/Agoura-Hills/Los-Angeles-County/California/Old-Agoura-residents-press-council-for-Chesebro-Road-repairs-and-trails-work-council-weighs-funding-trade-offs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560817-085083bf383e35ce1efe76c728a62d2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155938&Signature=nQ2FlyMCu24CebfwkPSN1zatzB5VeCxt-CwHN44-X4EP77dPQZSxjteYImwBZGSkf5WMpWq1TlmUIA5vNnquF8d1XEEzbv8q~oQ7ApTq6nfbT1s~JRyAXZvZFPvAKd9iSXEAIlumcQ9sAQYcxK~~uNrBOa7ZqXebLPKzFk1h8s3IAKrqfa5J~TmiXtj3hhqJrgbpnkZRb1joNfbc3~bTdc1Lj7p3XVVuE7Fz8XGQciVf7ZK4nGKNVPbFpnusb6swbmJXyggoF6~4iJkyZnDG~l2LcrNLdKUljiy2DMmaVr1D~VBLueS9rOu-RsTm5kNtI2BIcX4F~o33KP2vENfZvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two public commenters from Old Agoura asked the council to accelerate repairs to Chesebro Road and prioritize horse-trail improvements in the city’s Trails Master Plan.

Carolyn Tricino, speaking for the Old Agoura Homeowners Board of Directors, said deteriorated paving, deep shoulder ruts and flooding since the Woolsey Fire have created public-safety and legal-exposure concerns. Tricino said horse trailers could not safely pull over during the Kenneth Fire because of road and shoulder conditions and asked the council to prioritize road rehabilitation from the park entrance north to the city limits.

Resident Serena Nuzzi urged the council to continue implementing the Trails Master Plan and to budget not only for design through 2027 but also for interim, near-term repairs where flooding and deferred maintenance prevent access to public easements and horse trails. She asked the council to earmark near-term repairs so evacuation routes and paths for equestrian users are safe.

During the subcommittee and full-council discussion, members acknowledged the safety concerns and debated whether to fund Old Agoura trail design and bikeway improvements in the current year or to spread costs across multiple years. Staff presented funding options including keeping the goal and reducing first-year funding, a $50,000 study option (with an alternate $30,000 study option) and a phased approach (for example, $60,000 in year one and a larger amount in year two). Councilmembers said immediate interim repairs north of the park entrance are already being inspected and some temporary repairs were planned, but they emphasized that a permanent rehabilitation solution will require funding decisions.

No formal vote occurred on the funding level during the workshop; staff was directed to return with lower-cost options and with a plan that coordinates temporary fixes and longer-term design work.","Homeowners and equestrian users said Chesebro Road’s deteriorated shoulders and flooding hinder evacuation and animal transport; councilmembers prioritized Old Agoura trails and interim road repairs while weighing limited general-fund dollars.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560821,"Residents and fire-safety volunteers urge funding for home hardening; council weighs $100,000 proposal and SCE support-center MOU",4433,551000,4984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc&start=551&end=4984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc/thumbnail_551000.jpg","/articles/6560821/Agoura-Hills/Los-Angeles-County/California/Residents-and-fire-safety-volunteers-urge-funding-for-home-hardening-council-weighs-100000-proposal-and-SCE-support-center-MOU","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560821-7c41b7ba40de1e503d505868a52f2d80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155938&Signature=iIwC4VeRVuJIwK0bAif74MQZvCi8X88i1qAXM4dybtuo5~mHbQIYWv51QtINyrYBMdpvIQZ4VxmR~yqBI~VfRwakzp-nYOfBZ44ywEDVCj3ifE~~LUSG7lcyU09rV8fraa6JArzMe8MATh9Nn6B5LQofi9lJvlG4JNG1WGgEKz9omTN0vFP5C0S~S4ncL2XC6OyVNNnDMKQsdR2RDINTjh4US6GqbnwrHq-Z2iLE-DzAqmhkl-X~vtKVnnECA3T1~MKQuqywkN4gKAACkFCZnNkTlQdsirvRMkCRC27LHgz6fY0bVkl39ykozNTJpM1IDKKbaWb7yxoRsPrwYstHUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At public comment, Peter Feller, president of the nonprofit Agoura Hills Fire Safe Council, urged the council to prioritize wildfire mitigation and asked for city support to expand home assessments, an ember-resistant vent-mesh campaign, and more education. Feller said the council has helped organize 10 recognized Firewise communities, with 4,854 residences participating — about 64% of Agoura Hills residences — and another 6% in process. He said the volunteer organization has 26 community leaders and distributes a monthly newsletter to over 2,200 residents.

During the workshop, the council’s law-enforcement, fire and emergency-response subcommittee recommended several goal items tied to emergency preparedness. Those included:

- A wildfire-prevention home-hardening or fire-resilience program (subcommittee recommended up to $100,000 from the general fund, with staff noting some of this work may be eligible for external grant funding discussed elsewhere in the workshop).
- A memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Southern California Edison (SCE) to host support centers at a city facility during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS); staff estimated an initial year equipment cost of $9,100 and operational staff/security costs of $2,100 in subsequent years but said those amounts are subject to negotiation with SCE.
- Enhanced evacuation-education and marketing ($10,000 recommended by the subcommittee, though councilmembers suggested some work could be done in-house and might be reduced or reallocated).
- Promotion and recruitment for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and exploration of volunteers-on-patrol or other community liaison programs (no specific general-fund allocation attached; staff said some items could be handled with existing program budgets or sheriff’s department partnerships).

Councilmembers stressed that if any city funds are assigned to community-led programs such as home hardening, some amount for administration or program overhead should be included so the volunteer organizations can cover necessary staff time and supplies. Councilmembers also asked staff to negotiate more favorable cost-sharing with SCE for the support-center equipment and to return with revised cost estimates.

On the issue of regulating sober-living or group homes, subcommittees recommended not moving forward with local regulation at this time because of legal uncertainty and limited local impact; council and staff said case law and federal fair-housing laws remain unsettled in ways that create legal risk for small contract cities like Agoura Hills.

No formal council vote was taken on funding amounts during the workshop; staff was directed to return with options that reduce general-fund cost or shift eligible items to special or grant funds.","The Agoura Hills Fire Safe Council urged the council to prioritize wildfire mitigation and home hardening; councilmembers and staff discussed a proposed $100,000 home-hardening program, a memorandum of understanding with Southern California Edison for post-PSPS support centers, and related emergency-response items.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560826,"Agoura Hills council narrows goal funding after staff flags $150,000 general-fund cap",0,943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc&start=943&end=943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc/thumbnail_943000.jpg","/articles/6560826/Agoura-Hills/Los-Angeles-County/California/Agoura-Hills-council-narrows-goal-funding-after-staff-flags-150000-general-fund-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560826-de06e05c47cb2e4ac8d6b3a440d97e8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155938&Signature=Vtr2gsawfliexriiRQbFXFk7G5ftW-ThYj~uX~F2oE4dTlvmwcTZYe1f~50iQHHX~ajjtdUp5pisxROgpWo1zNZBghB6MQXmalv924OKn4qSDlWvXsNBVPcss1wSAwSXPUqrTfWWJXmr~lThdPnEKRdltJ7vWG5mcPUDoeTVrVvVVy3BESEQzEaajQc4~i6KJXtUlmFjHa8gwg0bzd8N8X7phpDBRw9Qkkp-J1pu~-veEM4gj0yvg0ccNbfSXK4uvVoNUKozZRYQuh6WJMaN6mjL64QdJZfhvMwyB5I34FIJcArJVgYcFmncONKbVJ4ST30DxmJzHoDtT34mOzF5oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Agoura Hills City Council approved the workshop agenda 5-0 before discussing goals and the budget outlook for the next two fiscal years. Mayor Pro Tem Wolf made the motion and Councilmember Deborah Klein Lopez seconded; the full council voted aye on the roll call.

City Manager Nathan Hamburger and finance staff presented an early-stage budget outlook and detailed revenue forecasts for sales and property tax, telling the council staff is taking a conservative approach given national and state economic uncertainty. Staff said the city’s sales tax rate inside city limits is 9.75% and noted recent changes in local sales-tax measures, and that the city’s share of next year’s property-tax revenue is estimated at $3,650,000 (a 3.5% increase over the current year) based on a 2% CPI factor and property transfers.

Hamburger said the city will likely have about $150,000 available from the general fund for new or expanded goals and that many recommended items proposed by subcommittees will not fit inside that constraint without reprioritizing or moving costs into later years or special funds. He asked the council to identify top priorities so staff can prepare the June budget.

Staff also briefed the council on several grants and projects that affect near-term budgeting: a federal microgrid grant for the civic center (the city has completed application requirements but is still waiting for the grant agreement), and the Ladyface Greenway project for which the city has used short-term borrowing to front grant-funded work and will seek reimbursement (the city’s only ongoing cost is interest). Staff noted some goals can be funded from special funds (for example Measure W or the solid-waste fund) rather than from the general fund.

Councilmembers requested options and lower-cost alternatives for several proposed items and directed staff to continue refinement. Councilmembers repeatedly asked staff to seek grant or partner funding where possible and to report back with reduced-cost options at the next budget workshop.

Votes at the start of the workshop

- Motion to approve the workshop agenda: moved by Mayor Pro Tem Wolf; seconded by Councilmember Deborah Klein Lopez. Roll-call vote: Anderson — Aye; Anstead — Aye; Klein Lopez — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Wolf — Aye; Mayor Sylvester — Aye. Outcome: approved 5-0.

What happens next

Staff will return to the council with a refined list of priorities and cost options for the June budget meeting and will hold an intervening finance subcommittee meeting to review details.","City staff presented a conservative sales- and property-tax forecast and told the council roughly $150,000 in general-fund discretionary dollars is likely available for new goals, prompting council debate on priorities for two fiscal years.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6560807,"Council flags tree inventory, Liberty Canyon creek work and Lake Landeros study; several public-works projects proceed with special funds",335,3753000,4088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc&start=3753&end=4088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307825-60dcd283f2102323de76ad9b2a3299dc/thumbnail_3753000.jpg","/articles/6560807/Agoura-Hills/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-flags-tree-inventory-Liberty-Canyon-creek-work-and-Lake-Landeros-study-several-public-works-projects-proceed-with-special-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560807-25d7638fe78a15d42dccc090c658621c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155938&Signature=nJRehgHMqcO5uPqA4Hswdk4u1VTRFe1zzBxXIt8p2TQCYc~JKxZfoZMiSYcgh-urRfNjK5eS8wVWQMXwCfM7XbjUp0lG~3m8rgdKR1LlJQDSmXafs3zHDuGFZRn7xBR99rdEiEF1YOtoTmnQl5dj0F~nOWFRR1xPKH8vQwIrNr1bzDfOAygbnPL34xjSPtHYh~y4FRJOu5KKBZlu4qhW8KNR7gklvVyUS3ffb7FTZ4fZSvu-iA8mAJlPr3Rvkk7KJdo1ZvwHVgRSj5CbYNK0fMPzlnNwDGHllZbGc3Eq52M0P9l6pCCn6rFrC5O1naO0SAFvX5LWqcNWhO8wZg3rPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council reviewed environmental-responsibility and public-works subcommittee recommendations and discussed which items to fund from the general fund versus special or grant funds.

Tree inventory and management plan: The subcommittee initially listed $100,000 for a two-year tree inventory, trimming and replacement plan but staff reported the plan could be prepared for about $25,000 (planning only) if the city limits scope to data collection and planning. Councilmembers noted the city has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy intended for fire resilience and planning; staff said the grant’s allowable uses are not yet fully specified in an agreement and staff will follow up with the conservancy to confirm whether the grant can be applied to tree inventory and planning.

Liberty Canyon Creek restoration: The subcommittee included a softening/naturalization approach for Liberty Canyon Creek with an estimated $225,000 to prepare plans; the subcommittee recommended this be funded from Measure W and suggested deferring the item to year two pending clarity about Los Angeles County plans for the same corridor.

Lake Landeros (Lake Lakerndero/Lakelandero) study: Staff proposed a $75,000 special-fund study to evaluate possible recreation uses and benefits for Lake Landeros with the condition that the city secure a recreational benefit for the community; councilmembers welcomed using Measure W or other non-general-fund sources for initial study work.

Stormwater-diversion structures: Staff confirmed the city has funding and is going to bid on six of the ten originally designed stormwater-diversion structures, and the subcommittee recommended seeking additional funding to complete the remaining four.

Waste-hauling franchise: The subcommittee recommended a staff and consultant report on waste-hauling franchise options with an estimated cost of $20,000 to be paid from the city’s solid-waste fund.

Electric-vehicle charging stations: The subcommittee did not recommend additional city-funded charging stations at this time because of grant/program parameters that typically require larger installations (for example minimums of 10+ chargers) and limited incentives currently available; councilmembers asked staff to monitor grants and private partnerships.

Councilmembers directed staff to coordinate these projects with county partners and with grant administrators where applicable, prioritize Measure W or special funds for environmental and park-oriented projects, and return with clarified scopes and refined costs at the next budget workshop.","The council reviewed environmental and public-works goals including a reduced-cost tree-inventory option, a proposed Liberty Canyon Creek restoration study funded from Measure W, stormwater diversion projects, and a Lake Landeros study; several items will rely on special funds rather than the general fund.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council debates downtown gathering-space study and land-use updates; rent stabilization and sober-living regulation not recommended

Old Agoura residents press council for Chesebro Road repairs and trails work; council weighs funding trade-offs

Residents and fire-safety volunteers urge funding for home hardening; council weighs $100,000 proposal and SCE support-center MOU

Agoura Hills council narrows goal funding after staff flags $150,000 general-fund cap

Council flags tree inventory, Liberty Canyon creek work and Lake Landeros study; several public-works projects proceed with special funds