Changes Proposed for Hillside Development

In a move to protect the hills that are the town’s namesake, the Agoura Hills Planning Commission has approved a zoning change aimed at encouraging “sensitive” development of the slopes along the Ventura Freeway.

The corridor is now zoned for commercial and office buildings, but the city would prefer terraced buildings that nestle into the hills rather than monolithic structures that protrude from them, said Dave Anderson, the city’s planning director.

The change, which has yet to be approved by the City Council, allows hillside developers to build up to a height of three stories if they terrace their buildings. Terraced buildings are now restricted to two stories, Anderson said.

The proposed change also limits the square footage of buildings constructed on hills. The steeper the slope, the less square footage a developer is allowed to build.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed change in January.