Neighbors flagged setbacks and a 'cattle fence'; staff points to code-compliance review

Old Agoura homeowners submitted written comments asking the commission to review the project's lot-line setbacks and to require that an existing fence conform to city standards. Staff told commissioners the residence is nonconforming to current setback requirements because it predates current codes, but the proposed design generally reduces nonconformity along certain property lines.

On the fence concern, senior planner Angela Jura said the applicant did not include fence work in the scope and that fence-height rules depend on setback location and permitting history. "If we could find history of like actual permits for when it was constructed ... if there's no permits on record for it and it exceeds the city's standards then we would be able to make sure that it complies," Angela Jura said. Staff recommended voluntary resolution with the HOA and noted that code compliance could take action if violations are confirmed.

The commission did not add a fence condition to the approval because the fence was not part of the application. Commissioners encouraged applicant engagement with the HOA and said any formal code-enforcement action would proceed through the city's code-compliance process.