Division 8 — GUIDELINES FOR LANDSCAPING, PLANTING AND IRRIGATION PLANS

The purpose of these regulations is to clearly define the manner in which landscape plans shall be submitted to satisfy the landscaping requirements of the city. It is the intent of these regulations to offer the applicant as much latitude as possible in designating the project landscaping, while at the same time meeting the minimum landscape standards of the city. All applicants are encouraged to take full advantage of the wide range of landscape materials and design possibilities within the framework established by these regulations. These regulations describe the procedure for landscape plan approval, the requirements for submittal of landscape plans, the minimum landscape standards, the proper use of landscaping, and a suggested plant list of native and exotic plant materials.

No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any building with a floor area greater than or equal to thirty thousand (30,000) square feet, for the alteration or repair of fifty (50) percent or more of the floor area of such building, or for any building that is part of the development of a subdivision of forty (40) or more lots unless exterior aesthetic improvements have been installed and conform to an arts plan that has been approved by the director of planning and community development.

If the exterior aesthetic improvements required by this section are not maintained in good condition, or are altered without the permission of the director of planning and community development so that the improvements no longer conform to the arts plan approved by the director, the certificate of occupancy for the building served by the improvement, or the certificate of occupancy for any building in the subdivision served by the improvement may be revoked and the owner of the property on which the improvement is located shall be deemed to have committed a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 157, § 1, 8-8-89)

9659.1. - Exceptions.

The following development activities shall be exempt from the requirements of section 9659 and section 9659.2:

(a)

Construction, repair, or alteration of buildings to carry out publicly assisted rehabilitation of private property.

(b)

Construction, repair, or alteration of low or moderate income multi-unit housing projects.

(c)

Construction, repair, or alteration of improvements that are not buildings.

(Ord. No. 157, § 1, 8-8-89)

9659.2. - Arts plan required.

No building permit shall be issued for any building with a floor area greater than or equal to thirty thousand (30,000) square feet, for alteration or repair of fifty (50) percent or more of the floor area of such a building, or for any building that is part of the development of a subdivision of forty (40) lots or more, unless the director of planning and community development has approved an arts plan for the building or subdivision which meets the requirements set forth by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 157, § 1, 8-8-89)

A.

The city council finds that federal law prohibits the possession, manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of marijuana, and in order to serve the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents and businesses within the city, the declared purpose of this division is to prohibit all commercial marijuana activity, both medical and non-medical, within the city, as provided in this section.

B.

California Business and Professions Code section 26055(d) provides that a State licensing authority shall not approve an application for a State license for a marijuana business if approval of the State license will violate the provisions of any local ordinance or regulation. California Business and Professions Code section 26200 authorizes a city to adopt and enforce local ordinances that completely prohibit the establishment or operation of one or more marijuana businesses licensed under the State, within that city.

C.

The city council finds that a prohibition on all commercial marijuana activity, for medical, non-medical, or any other purpose, is necessary for the preservation and protection of the public health, safety, and welfare for the city and its community. The city council's prohibition of such activity is within the authority conferred

upon the city council by State law and is an exercise of its police powers to enact and enforce regulations for the public benefit, safety, and welfare of the city and its community.

(Ord. No. 17-429, § 4, 8-23-2017)

DIVISION 13. - OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS

9663.1. - Purpose, intent, and applicability.

A.

This chapter establishes objective design standards for new or redeveloped multi-family residential developments and/or mixed-use developments, either solely of residential use or as part of a mixed-use residential-commercial development that has at least a two-thirds residential component in terms of floor area. This includes but is not limited to duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, row houses, flats, and multi-story, mid-rise building types. The objective design standards draw from and complement existing design criteria set forth in land policy documents adopted by the city and primarily the City of Agoura Hills General Plan.

B.

These objective design standards are intended to achieve and maintain high-quality site planning and building design for neighborhood standards and districts where new development is proposed, and to facilitate development designed and constructed in a manner that conforms to community design priorities. The purpose of the objective design standards is to reduce barriers to the development of housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households by accelerating housing production through the clear communication of design objectives and streamlined review for qualifying multi-family and mixed-use development projects.

C.

This chapter does not apply to single-family homes, historic properties, commercial-only projects, and any other non-residential developments.

(Ord. No. 22-461, § 8, 8-24-2022)

9663.2. - Relationship to other standards and requirements.

A.

Standards for applicable zoning district. These objective design standards supplement and are in addition to the development standards for the applicable zoning district in which a proposed project is located. Article IX of the Code of Ordinances establishes the Zoning Regulations of the City of Agoura Hills. Where conflict between these objective design standards and other provisions of article IX exists, the provisions of this article IX, chapter 6, division 13 shall govern.

B.

Subdivision regulations. Article X of the Code of Ordinances establishes regulations for the subdivision of land. Where conflict exists between these objective design standards and the provisions of article X, the provisions of this article IX, chapter 6, division 13 shall govern.

(Ord. No. 22-461, § 8, 8-24-2022)

The purpose of this part is to establish the rules, procedures and findings under which the various permits or reviews shall be considered by the city in order to guarantee due process, compatibility with the city's general plan and protection of the public health, safety and general welfare.

DIVISION 2. - CHANGE OF ZONE

9672. • Procedure for change of zone.

The zoning map may be amended by changing the boundaries of any district in accordance with the procedures described in these sections.

9672.1. - Initiation.

A change in the boundaries of any district may be initiated by the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of the property by filing an application for a change in district boundaries. If the property for which a change of district is proposed is in more than one ownership, all the owners or their authorized agents shall join in the filing of the application.

A change in the boundaries of any district may additionally be initiated by planning commission or the city council.