Agoura Village Strategic Action Plan Opportunities & Constraints Analysis

Agoura Village Strategic Action Plan Opportunities & Constraints Analysis 4-15-2002 Table of Contents I. Project Understanding • Introduction...........................................................................................................................1-1 • Key Person Interviews...........................................................................................................1-3 • Villge Concept Plan “Revisited”.............................................................................................1-5 • Summary of Findings.............................................................................................................1-8 II. Detailed Studies • Existing/Physical Constraints and Opportunities..........................................................................2-1 • Market Feasibility Study.............................................................................................................2-5 • Traffic Analysis.........................................................................................................................2-13 • Regulatory Analysis..................................................................................................................2-18 Appendix • Key Person Interview Minutes • Market Fesibility Study • Maps and Exhibits Chapter 1 Project Understanding Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Purpose and Content: The Opportunity and Constraint Analysis Report has been written to establish a clear understanding of the project. Economic, traffic, regulatory, and existing and physical development issues have been identified to help guide the Urban Design Plan. The report has been organized with the back- ground of the project and a general understand- Project Location ing of these issues documented in Chapter 1 and the detailed summaries and analysis contained The Agoura Village project area is in Chapter 2. An appendix has been included located just south of the Ventura Free- with minutes from the key stakeholder meetings, way (101) in the City of Agoura Hills. the complete Market Feasibility Study, and a map Agoura Hills is immediately surrounded pocket with a large scale version of the context by the Cities of Calabasas, Thousand map, existing conditions exhibit, and opportuni- Oaks, and unincorporated County to ties and constraints exhibit enclosed. The next the north. The project area is gen- step in the process will be to use the information erally bounded by Roadside Road on provided to formulate an updated Urban Design the north, Agoura Road on the south, Plan that will establish how the Village could Kanan Road to the west and Cornell be developed physically with a logical system Road to the east. The area encom- of circulation and parking, improvements to the passes about 98 acres of developed streetscape, existing and future buildings, and a and developable area and is charac- cohesive set of public improvements that will lead terized by various existing commercial to the creation of a true pedestrian-friendly sense uses including retail, restaurant, office of place in the Village. and services. About 66 acres of the total acreage is vacant. How We Got Here: The Agoura Village Strategic Plan is the result of an effort launched by the City of Agoura Hills to prepare a plan that will lead to the revitalization, Thousand Oaks Blvd. the appropriate use, and the beautification of the Highway 101 Agoura Village area located just south of Highway Agoura Road Kanan Road 101 and east of Kanan Road in the community of Agoura Hills. The Agoura Village area is presently characterized by a mix of land uses and parcels of various shapes and sizes -- some viable, some marginal -- but with little sense of place and cohe- sion. Figure 1-1 - Vicinity map In 1997 - 1998, Agoura Village was the subject of a “design brainstorming” effort lead by the city and a consulting team that derived a “Village Chapter 1 1-1 project understanding Concept Plan” embracing a pedestrian-friendly, in any planning effort for the Village. vibrant, and entertainment-oriented vision for the B. An Urban Design Plan depicting how the Village area. The City Council and the community remain could develop physically with a logical system supportive of this vision, and as a result, an over- of circulation and parking, improvements to the lay zone was placed on the Village as an interim streetscape, existing and future buildings, and solution to prevent inappropriate uses from devel- a cohesive set of public improvements that oping until a detailed plan was developed (the will lead to the creation of a true pedestrian- Agoura Village Strategic Plan). Yet, some land- friendly sense of place in the Village. owners and prospective developers view the overlay zone as overly restrictive and not conducive C. Economic Market Feasibility and Business to the proper planning and development of the Attraction Plan to determine the reality of area. Those critical of the overlay zone are call- market forces at work in Agoura Hills (and in ing for more flexibility than presently allowed by the region in general, and this site in partic- city regulations to allow for more unique develop- ular), the market demand potential for devel- ments than those anticipated under existing rules opment by square footage, to evaluate the potential for mixed-use development with resi- and procedures. Also, some development occur- dential uses, to develop a business plan for the ring in the Village is occurring without appropri- area that will help guide the physical design ate guidelines in place. Thus, the city has begun efforts associated with the urban design plan, preparing the Agoura Village Strategic Plan which a plan for recruitment and retention of new will confirm land use, urban design, and set into and existing businesses, and an evaluation of place regulations to implement the Concept Plan the funding and implementation mechanisms vision. including redevelopment to achieve the real revitalization of the area. Where We Are Today: D. A Set of Architectural Design Guidelines and Streetscape Development Criteria to guide The approved “Village Concept Plan” called for future private and public improvements in the a number of action steps, including an economic area and to provide city decision makers with feasibility analysis, a physical development plan a strong basis for design and development with design guidelines, and a financing and orga- decisions consistent. nizational plan for project implementation. It is E. A Set of Recommended Amendments to the the intention of this strategic plan to “test” that City’s Zoning Ordinance involving careful amend- vision from the standpoint of economic feasibility, ments to those provisions in the city’s codes traffic conditions, planning regulations, and urban and ordinances that are inhibiting good plan- design issues. The Agoura Village Strategic Plan ning and design in the Agoura Village area, will then make the necessary adjustments to that and to provide flexibility to respond to market vision, and develop a clear strategy for achieving changes and unique development proposals. it. F. A Phasing Implementation and Cost Recovery Plan to ensure that the Village can be built out Project Approach over time per the plan recommendations and that the urban design plan that will result in The “Strategic Action Plan” for the Agoura Village real world solutions to improving the Village. area is composed of the following parts: G. To include a funding and financing plan that A. An analysis that identifies known opportunities identifies costs of public improvements and and constraints that will need to be respected funding sources to implement improvements. 1-2 Agoura Village Strategic Plan KEY PERSON INTERVIEWS During the initial phase of the Agoura Village Strategic Plan analysis process, a series of meetings over a two-day period were conducted. The City’s consultants met with key stakeholders within the community including various property owners, Planning Commissioners, City Council members, residents, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, and others. Throughout the interview process several common goals and concerns were revealed. The issues have been divided up into related topics that include: vision, land uses, circulation and traffic issues, natural amenities, and architecture. A summary of these interviews is provided below and a full copy of the key person interviews is provided in the Appendix. Existing pedestrian connection at Mann The- ater complex Vision Make it a place where residents and visitors can go and meet. Success is dependant on regional appeal -something unique that creates a “draw” (attraction). Create an entertainment /family oriented area with a teenage nightclub, bowling alley, skate park with shopping and restaurants, arcade, and batting cages. Consider relocating the City recreation facility to the Village area. The Village should be developed with mixed- use project with small retail, office, residential, and entertainment uses. Vacant property and oak trees at Agoura Small “mom and pop” stores with residential Road and Kanan Road above. Develop village as a series of “nodes”. Recognize density as key element of the “village” planning scheme. Create a dense village that is pedestrian oriented with gathering places. Chapter 1 1-3 project understanding The two vacant parcels on the south side of the will provide greater access and help new devel- Kanan intersection are the key to the Village. opment in the Village area succeed.

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