Agoura Hills |
Code of Ordinances |
Article IX. ZONING |
Chapter 6. REGULATORY PROVISIONS |
Part 2. SPECIAL REGULATIONS |
Division 2. HILLSIDE AND SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL AREAS |
§ 9652.13. General design and development standards.
Subject to the limitations of the underlying district, as it relates to potential uses and except as modified by the planning commission in a manner consistent with the purposes of this section, any development of a hillside area shall be in conformity with the following design and development standards:
A.
Dwelling density. The maximum number of dwelling units permitted on a parcel of land shall be determined according to the following table:
Percent Slope Minimum Average Acreage per Dwelling Unit (in acres) 1. 10—15 0.50 2. 16—20 0.66 3. 21—25 1.00 4. 26—30 1.66 5. 31—35 2.50 6. 36—over 20.00 With respect to parcels of land five (5) acres or larger in size, the dwelling units shall be clustered on the flatter portions of such parcels when appropriate.
In the event that the foregoing density limitations would prohibit the use of a parcel of land otherwise permitted by this chapter, one (1) residential dwelling unit shall be permitted on such parcel provided that:
(a)
Such parcel was lawfully created prior to the adoption of this section; and
(b)
A change in ownership of such parcel occurring after the adoption of this section has not resulted in such parcel no longer being considered part of a larger parcel of land under this chapter; and
(c)
A private septic system will not be installed for any dwelling unit located on a parcel of land consisting of less than one (1) acre in area; and
(d)
A conditional use permit authorizing such dwelling unit is granted in accordance with the requirements of this section.
B.
Development area. For properties zoned residential or open space, a minimum percentage of a parcel of land shall remain in open space. The minimum percentage shall be determined based upon the following table:
Percent Slope Minimum Percent
of Parcel to Remain in Open Space1. 10—15 32.5 2. 16—20 47.5 3. 21—25 62.5 4. 26—30 77.5 5. 31—35 92.5 6. Greater than
3597.5 In the event that the foregoing open space limitations would prohibit the use of a parcel of land otherwise permitted by this chapter, one (1) residential dwelling unit shall be permitted on such parcel provided that:
(a)
Such parcel was lawfully created prior to the adoption of this section;
(b)
A change in ownership occurring after the adoption of this section has not resulted in such parcel no longer being considered part of a larger parcel of land under this chapter;
(c)
A private septic system will not be installed for any dwelling unit located on a parcel of land consisting of less than one (1) acre in area;
(d)
A conditional use permit authorizing such dwelling unit is granted in accordance with the requirements of this section. The terms of such conditional use permit shall specify the minimum percent of required open space on such parcel of land.
For properties zoned commercial and business park, the maximum allowable floor area ratio (ratio of square footage of building floor to square footage of lot) shall be determined based on the following table:
Percent Slope Maximum Floor Area Ratio 10-15% 0.25 15.10% 0.2492 15.20% 0.2484 15.30% 0.2476 15.40% 0.2468 15.50% 0.246 15.60% 0.2452 15.70% 0.2444 15.80% 0.2436 15.90% 0.2428 16% 0.242 16.10% 0.2412 16.20% 0.2404 16.30% 0.2396 16.40% 0.2388 16.50% 0.238 16.60% 0.2372 16.70% 0.2364 16.80% 0.2356 16.90% 0.2348 17% 0.234 17.10% 0.2332 17.20% 0.2324 17.30% 0.2316 17.40% 0.2308 17.50% 0.23 17.60% 0.2292 17.70% 0.2284 17.80% 0.2276 17.90% 0.2268 18% 0.226 18.10% 0.2252 18.20% 0.2244 18.30% 0.2236 18.40% 0.2228 18.50% 0.222 18.60% 0.2212 18.70% 0.2204 18.80% 0.2196 18.90% 0.2188 19% 0.218 19.10% 0.2172 19.20% 0.2164 19.30% 0.2156 19.40% 0.2148 19.50% 0.214 19.60% 0.2132 19.70% 0.2124 19.80% 0.2116 19.90% 0.2108 20% 0.21 20.10% 0.2094 20.20% 0.2088 20.30% 0.2082 20.40% 0.2076 20.50% 0.207 20.60% 0.2064 20.70% 0.2058 20.80% 0.2052 20.90% 0.2046 21% 0.204 21.10% 0.2034 21.20% 0.2028 21.30% 0.2022 21.40% 0.2016 21.50% 0.201 21.60% 0.2004 21.70% 0.1998 21.80% 0.1992 21.90% 0.1986 22% 0.198 22.10% 0.1974 22.20% 0.1968 22.30% 0.1962 22.40% 0.1956 22.50% 0.195 22.60% 0.1944 22.70% 0.1938 22.80% 0.1932 22.90% 0.1926 23% 0.192 23.10% 0.1914 23.20% 0.1908 23.30% 0.1902 23.40% 0.1896 23.50% 0.189 23.60% 0.1884 23.70% 0.1878 23.80% 0.1872 23.90% 0.1866 24% 0.186 24.10% 0.1854 24.20% 0.1848 24.30% 0.1842 24.40% 0.1836 24.50% 0.183 24.60% 0.1824 24.70% 0.1818 24.80% 0.1812 24.90% 0.1806 25% 0.18 25.10% 0.1774 25.20% 0.1788 25.30% 0.1782 25.40% 0.1776 25.50% 0.177 25.60% 0.1764 25.70% 0.1758 25.80% 0.1752 25.90% 0.1746 26% 0.174 26.10% 0.1734 26.20% 0.1728 26.30% 0.1722 26.40% 0.1716 26.50% 0.171 26.60% 0.1704 26.70% 0.1698 26.80% 0.1692 26.90% 0.1686 27% 0.168 27.10% 0.1674 27.20% 0.1668 27.30% 0.1662 27.40% 0.1656 27.50% 0.165 27.60% 0.1644 27.70% 0.1638 27.80% 0.1632 27.90% 0.1626 28% 0.162 28.10% 0.1614 28.20% 0.1608 28.30% 0.1602 28.40% 0.1596 28.50% 0.159 28.60% 0.1584 28.70% 0.1578 28.80% 0.1572 28.90% 0.1566 29% 0.156 29.10% 0.1554 29.20% 0.1548 29.30% 0.1542 29.40% 0.1536 29.50% 0.153 29.60% 0.1524 29.70% 0.1518 29.80% 0.1512 29.90% 0.1506 30% 0.15 30.10% 0.1494 30.20% 0.1488 30.30% 0.1482 30.40% 0.1476 30.50% 0.147 30.60% 0.1464 30.70% 0.1458 30.80% 0.1452 30.90% 0.1446 31% 0.144 31.10% 0.1434 31.20% 0.1428 31.30% 0.1422 31.40% 0.1416 31.50% 0.141 31.60% 0.1404 31.70% 0.1398 31.80% 0.1392 31.90% 0.1386 32% 0.138 32.10% 0.1374 32.20% 0.1368 32.30% 0.1362 32.40% 0.1356 32.50% 0.135 32.60% 0.1344 32.70% 0.1338 32.80% 0.1332 32.90% 0.1326 33% 0.132 33.10% 0.1314 33.20% 0.1308 33.30% 0.1302 33.40% 0.1296 33.50% 0.129 33.60% 0.1284 33.70% 0.1278 33.80% 0.1272 33.90% 0.1266 34% 0.126 34.10% 0.1254 34.20% 0.1248 34.30% 0.1242 34.40% 0.1236 34.50% 0.123 34.60% 0.1224 34.70% 0.1218 34.80% 0.1212 34.90% 0.1206 35% 0.12 >35% 0.08 Pre-graded pads that existed prior to January 1, 1999 shall be exempted from the above maximum allowable floor area ratio limitations. The director of planning and community development has the discretion to exclude concave lots with an average slope greater than ten (10) percent from the above maximum floor area ratio limitations.
C.
Circulation.
1.
Streets within any project proposed in a hillside area shall be designed and constructed to accomplish the following purposes:
(a)
Minimize grading so as to compliment the natural features of the hillsides and reflect a rural rather than an urban character.
(b)
Permit safe and efficient travel for motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, and to provide access for emergency vehicles.
2.
In order to accomplish the purposes of this subsection, all streets in a hillside area development shall be designed, where possible, to:
(a)
Parallel the natural contours and natural grades of the land. Streets running perpendicular to the grade of the slope shall be avoided, when feasible, to reduce grading and aid in drainage. When streets must cut across grade contours, the principle of grading shall be half cut/half fill at locations not visible to a large area. Bridges shall be provided when streets must cross drainage ways and ravines of exceptional environmental setting.
(b)
Use split level streets when access to abutting parcels of land is from other streets to avoid excess cut and fill and minimize scarring effects of hillside development.
(c)
Provide a minimum sight distance of one hundred fifty (150) feet for all horizontal and vertical curves. The minimum centerline curve radius on residential streets shall be one hundred (100) feet. Reversed curves shall be connected with tangents as long as practicable. All major streets shall be designed to incorporate curves greater than the minimum to provide for increased traffic flow.
(d)
Have a maximum centerline grade for streets of fifteen (15) percent except at intersections and areas of transition where the gradient shall be zero to two (2) percent. Maximum grade for major streets shall be less than twelve (12) percent. Changes in grade of more than five-tenths of one (1) percent shall be connected by vertical curves conforming to standard sight distances.
(e)
Provide adequate private off-street parking to minimize the need for parking on narrow hillside streets. Parallel parking on the hillside streets may be eliminated in order to reduce road width in critical areas in which even parking spaces shall be provided in off-street bays at more suitable locations.
(f)
Provide sidewalks and walkways in accordance with a pedestrian circulation plan that is not dependent upon and identical to the plan for vehicular circulation.
(g)
Provide bicycle and equestrian trails where appropriate.
(h)
Provide hillside public streets with street lighting designed to lessen the impact on views.
(i)
Discourage the protrusion of streets on ridgelines.
D.
View preservation. View preservation shall take into consideration existing residences, views from scenic roadways, and the freeways. Such provisions as increased setbacks to minimize mass, utilizing natural earth and berms to reduce prominence in viewshed, and the retention of natural land form features shall be used. In addition, viewshed in a hillside area shall be protected by:
1.
Facing dwelling units onto open, green or view areas;
2.
Locating dwelling units in such a manner as to avoid obstructing the view from other dwelling units;
3.
Locating structures with a minimum building setback of thirty (30) feet to the top of the slope, for properties zoned commercial or business park. Pre-graded pads which existed prior to January 1, 1999 shall be exempted from this provision.
E.
Fire protection. The following requirements shall apply in a hillside area:
1.
Clearance of brush or vegetative growth from the vicinity of structures and roadways shall be in accordance with the Fire Code and approved by the city;
2.
Roofs shall be of fire retardant material in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code. Block walls or other fire resistant walls shall be constructed between a dwelling and any adjacent areas of known fire hazard such as open space areas;
3.
All easements for firebreaks shall be dedicated in writing for this purpose and recorded with the Los Angeles County recorder;
4.
Special design restrictions shall apply in brush fire areas where narrow canyons act as chimneys, funneling hot winds up the canyons to the ridge. Stilt and cantilevered structures proposed to be constructed on canyon slopes shall be discouraged. Any single-family residential dwelling built on a ridge at the top of such a canyon shall be set back thirty (30) feet from the slope of the canyon rim.
F.
Erosion control.
1.
All manufactured slopes shall be planted or otherwise protected from the effects of storm runoff and erosion within thirty (30) days after completion of any grading. Such planting shall be designed to blend with the surrounding terrain and the character of development;
2.
The face of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained by the developer so as to control erosion until such time as the parcel of land is occupied. Such control measures may consist of effective planting or soil reinforcement. The protection for the slopes shall be installed as soon as practicable after the completion of any grading but in no event later than thirty (30) days thereafter;
3.
Other erosion devices, when necessary, such as check drains, debris basins, cribbing, or other devices or methods to control erosion and provide safety, shall be installed or implemented at the direction of the building official.
G.
Drainage control.
1.
All drainage and terracing in a hillside area shall meet or exceed the requirements of existing standards and codes;
2.
Drainage devices shall be placed on graded slopes as inconspicuously as possible. In addition:
(a)
Down drains shall be placed in swales;
(b)
Sides of any drain which are visible from a public way shall be concealed as much as possible. Vegetation landscaping also shall be used, when feasible, to conceal drains and terraces;
(c)
Concrete in any drain or terrace shall be tinted to blend with the landscape;
(d)
Drain slope gradients may become steeper as the drain moves down the slope. However, all drain gradients shall be approved by the city;
(e)
All drainage facilities shall be designed to carry water to the nearest practicable drainage way approved by the city;
(f)
Erosion shall be prevented by installation of nonerosive down drains or other drain devices;
(g)
Each building pad shall have a drainage gradient of at least two (2) percent toward the street or toward an approved engineered drainage facility;
(h)
Interceptor drains shall be installed along the top of all cut slopes where the tributary drainage area slopes toward the cut, and has a drainage path greater than forty (40) feet measured horizontally. Interceptor drains shall be paved with a minimum of three (3) inches of reinforced concrete or gunite, be at least one (1) foot in depth and at least thirty (30) inches in width. All slopes of drain terraces and interceptor drains, shall be approved by the building official;
3.
Streets and sidewalk drains shall be designed to contain and control the one-hundred-year frequency storm including debris production in accordance with the Los Angeles County flood control district design manual and to be usable during the maximum design storm. All developed properties shall drain toward the street or a storm drain;
4.
Terracing for cut and fill slopes shall be in conformance with the provisions of the city's grading ordinances and the following:
(a)
Terraces at least eight (8) feet wide shall be constructed on all cut and fill slopes that are twenty-five (25) feet or less in height, in order to control surface drainage and debris. Where only one (1) terrace is required, however, it shall be at midheight of the slope.
(b)
If higher slopes are ever permitted by whatever method, the following shall be permitted: cut or fill slopes of greater than twenty-five (25) feet and less than one hundred (100) feet in vertical height shall be constructed with a minimum of one (1) terrace of not less than twelve (12) feet in width at midheight of the slope. The spacing and width of terraces on cut or fill slopes greater than one hundred (100) feet in height shall be designed by a civil engineer.
(c)
All swales or ditches located on a terrace shall be a minimum of one (1) foot in depth and a minimum of five (5) feet in width and shall have a gradient of between four (4) percent and twelve (12) percent. Every swale and ditch shall be paved with concrete not less than three (3) inches thick reinforced with six-inch by six-inch, ten-gauge welded wire fabric or equivalent reinforcement.
(d)
A single runoff swale or ditch shall not collect runoff from a contributing area in excess of thirteen thousand five hundred (13,500) square feet without discharge into a structured downdrain system.
(e)
Subsurface drainage of cut and fill slopes shall be required if in the opinion of a geologist and/or soil engineer such drainage is necessary.
(f)
Subdrains shall be designed and constructed when fill is to be placed in natural drainage courses or in other areas where seepage is evident.
H.
Ridgelines. The development of primary and secondary ridgelines as specified in the city's general plan shall be discouraged. This prohibition shall include, all buildings, solid fencing or walls, paved roads, exotic landscaping, water tanks, and the like which would noticeably detract from the natural skyline.
I.
Building Design.
1.
Architectural enrichments and variations in roof massing are encouraged. Roofs shall minimize their visual impact by keeping a low profile and the roof pitch shall follow the slope of the hillside instead of being perpendicular to the hillside or opposing the hillside slope. Upper stories should not be cantilevered out in the opposite direction of the hillside slope.
2.
Avoid large expanses of a single material on walls, roofs, or paving areas. Create interesting, small scale patterns by breaking up building mass, varying building materials, and through design and placement of windows and doors.
3.
Provide architectural treatment to all sides of a structure. Elements of architectural treatment used on the front facade shall be repeated on all sides of a structure with additional emphasis on those elevations visible from adjacent properties or public rights-of-way.
4.
Building materials and color schemes shall blend with the natural landscape. Colors shall be earth tones and the specific hues shall be compatible with the surrounding natural environment.
J.
Landscaping.
1.
Native or naturalized plants, or other plant species that blend naturally with the landscape shall be used.
2.
Natural landform planting shall be used to soften the impact of development and provide erosion control. These landscape techniques shall serve to reintroduce landscape patterns that occur in nature including concentrating trees and shrubs in concave areas while convex portions are planted mainly with ground cover.
3.
Trees and shrubs are to be arranged in informal masses and shall be placed selectively to reduce the scale of long, steep slopes.
4.
Berming shall be incorporated into the grading plans to help soften the appearance of buildings from public view.
(Ord. No. 99-293, § 2, 2-10-99; Ord. No. 11-388, § 55, 12-14-2011)