Agoura Hills Municipal Code § 9386.6 Required landscaping

The purpose of the CN district is to provide areas for general commercial, retail and service uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods. It is intended that this district provide for the local needs of the residents of the city and the surrounding areas with compatible uses, in design that is compatible with adjoining residential neighborhoods, and in the provision of on-site pedestrian amenities and pedestrian circulation that is linked to adjacent land uses.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

The limitations as to uses and structures in the CN district shall be as follows.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

Subject to the provisions of section 9301 et seq. and chapter 6, buildings and structures may be erected, structurally altered or enlarged and land may be used within this district for commercial, service, office and other uses as provided in the CN zone in the commercial use tables (section 9311 et seq. of this chapter). The entire business operation shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building, or within the buildable area of the lot.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

Any use or structure not specified in section 9385.1 shall be prohibited in the CN district.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

Developments, renovations, and additions in the CN district shall be located and designed to complement adjoining neighborhoods and uses by incorporating the following:

A. A high level of architectural and site design quality that are compatible with adjoining neighborhoods;

B. Where substantial improvements are proposed for buildings that do not meet current city standards, improvements shall comply with contemporary city standards for building materials and colors, signage, lighting and landscape;

C. On-site pedestrian amenities and enhanced pedestrian connections between parking areas and adjoining neighborhoods and districts;

D. Uses which ensure minimization of exterior noise and sufficient buffers between waste disposal locations and adjoining neighborhoods;

E. Improved public streets and sidewalks that enhance the visual character and quality of the neighborhood commercial district, considering such elements as landscape; well-designed benches, trash receptacles, and other street furniture; decorative sidewalk and crosswalk paving; and pedestrian-oriented lighting; wayfinding signage.

Subject to the provisions of sections 9303, 9391 et seq. and chapter 6, the following development standards shall also apply in the CN district.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

The minimum project size shall be 0.35 acres.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

All lots hereafter created shall contain the following:

A. Minimum lot area: Ten thousand (10,000) square feet.

B. Minimum lot width: One hundred (100) feet.

C. Minimum lot depth: One hundred (100) feet.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

The maximum building coverage shall be sixty (60) percent.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

The maximum building height shall be thirty-five (35) feet.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

The minimum yard requirements shall be as follows:

A. Minimum front yard: Equal to the height of the building or minimum of twenty (20) feet;

B. Minimum side yard: None, except when adjacent to a residential district or public street: Ten (10) feet;

C. Minimum rear yard: Equal to the height of the building or minimum of ten (10) feet.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

A minimum of ten (10) percent of the total lot shall be landscaped unless otherwise specified during a discretionary review. Landscaping shall minimize the visual dominance of the parking areas and reduce the heat-island effect of development and provide for on-site pedestrian amenities and pedestrian circulation that is linked to adjoining areas. In addition, landscaping shall be provided within all required yards adjacent to public rights-of-way and shall be used to sufficiently screen the property from adjoining districts. Said landscaping shall be provided and maintained in perpetuity subject to the following:

A. Berming (undulating or embanked) shall be required with a minimum variation of elevation being thirty (30) inches;

B. One (1) native oak tree, twenty-four (24) inches in size, per fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet of building shall be provided within said areas or at alternate locations approved by the city;

C. Landscaping shall minimize the visual dominance of the parking areas, shall complement on-site pedestrian amenities and circulation, and serve to modulate pavement temperatures; and

D. No other usage or storage shall be permitted within any required landscaping.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

A. Clearly articulated pedestrian paths through parking lots to the center businesses and residences with distinguishing design characteristics.

B. Well-defined pedestrian pathways connecting adjoining shopping centers, and between the centers and adjacent neighborhoods and districts.

C. Outdoor seating and gathering areas near the businesses, including expanded sidewalks or plazas, designed as an integral part of the overall architecture and site design.

D. Bike racks or other public bike storage in convenient locations in the center, integrated within the overall architecture and site design of the center.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

Commercial uses adjoining off-site residential neighborhoods shall be designed to be compatible by incorporating the following:

A. Landscape and decorative walls, or comparable buffering and/or screening elements, along the edges of the shopping center;

B. Enhanced architectural treatment of elevations facing the residential uses;

C. Low intensity lighting and screening to minimize light spillover and glare into residential neighborhoods; and

D. Locating automobile and truck access and unloading areas so that they do not directly front residential neighborhoods, or by providing adequate screening with landscaping and/or decorative walls in areas adjacent to the residential neighborhoods."

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)

Unless waived by the city, all developments shall be screened by a decorative wall at a minimum height of six (6) feet on all property lines except for those adjacent to a public right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 11-388, § 35, 12-14-2011)