Dear Commissioners, City Staff and Fellow Residents,

 

After reading the draft of the proposed changes to the Old Agoura Overlay,  I have the following thoughts:

 

1) The space of 1500 square feet minimum is referenced in many places in the draft.  It is not clear whether this is the minimum space per horse.  Hopefully this is intended to read 1500 square feet per horse.  I understand that in a relatively urban neighborhood where the cost of land is at a premium, compromises will need being made.  However, it should not be at the health and welfare of the horses.  Most experts agree that the minimum grazing area of one horse is at least an acre. It would not be coincidental if a horse truly needed a minimum of one acre for exercise, play, rest, and socializing.  Young horses need to run for proper bone development. To ask them to be confined to a smaller area is already unnatural.  My point is that we are already compromising the health and welfare of the animal.  To confine one horse to an area of 1500 square feet day in and day out is unnatural and cruel.  The intention of course is that we take our horses out of that space to ride them, longe them, or turn them out into a larger area.  My concern is if we say to an owner that he is legal if he has a 1500 square foot space for horses, he or she will be justified in thinking that that amount of space is adequate. I believe that if the minimum lot size is 20000 square feet, and zoning allows 4 horses on that size lot, the minimum turnout should be 1500 x 4 or 6000 square feet whether the owner wants one horse or four. On one acre the minimum space should be 12000 square feet for a turnout and so on. I wish we can even make this requirement retroactive and require those folks who confine their horses to a 12 x 24 foot stall (288 square feet), and who have no turnout space, to increase the area for the horse or not keep them on their property. 

In conclusion, I think we are better off NOT setting a minimum at all, lest that minimum becomes the standard -  that standard being wholly inadequate.

 

 

2)  I personally don't mind the FAR as proposed.  To those that say we are reducing the value of our properties by these restrictions, I say if you really want to lower the values, take away the trees, take out the open space, take out the horses, or anything else that might get in the way of building the 7000+ dream home plus the sport court and the pool and the guest house.  I think there needs to be a balance, and the ambience and the beauty of the area will diminish once we make it a free-for-all.  The fact is, some lots, due to their dimensions and topography, can support all those things and still be horse friendly. On most however, it is not possible.  To maximize its value, I say keep the house to a more modest size in order to leave ample room for horses.  When you want to sell, you may not attract the buyer who wants 8 bedrooms, but you will attract one who will pay a premium because the lot is horse friendly. I have quite a bit of personal experience with the resale market. You will save on construction costs, not piss off the neighbors whose view would be blocked, attract a growing number of people who want to live with their horses, and make almost as much money.  So what if its not as much money!

 

3) Kudos to allowing variances to encroach on front yard set-backs if it is for the low profile barn.  Side yard and rear yard set-backs should also be fair game if the property backs to an open space, arroyo, etc. and/or if it will encourage the owner to not place the house in the middle of a lot such that anywhere someone may want to put a corral will be to close to the habitable structure.

 

4) I don't think we can put standards in place to define good taste. I've seen a few Western ranch style homes that are tacky and trashy, and a few Mediterranean style homes that are original and authentic looking.  I ditto Robert Evren's testimony in this regard, and I think the planning commission and public testimony have in place enough safeguards to keep Old Agoura from looking like a tract of McMansions.  We have made a few "mistakes" and now we have the opportunity to learn from them.

 

Bottom line, even if there is no change in the ordinance, yet the commissioners have a guideline that keeps it ALL ABOUT THE HORSES, I think we'll see the improvement we want.

 

Thank You,

 Nona Green

 Old Agoura Resident.