Planning Commission approves detached garage, sports court and pitching bullpen at 27901 Blytheville Road

The Agoura Hills Planning Commission voted 4-0 to approve Conditional Use Permit CUP2024-0029 and Site Plan/Architectural Review Permit SPR2024-0047 for accessory structures at 27901 Blytheville Road, including a detached garage/barn, a sports court and a pitching bullpen.

The vote followed staff presentations and a 15-minute applicant presentation. Commissioner Stein moved to approve the staff recommendation; Commissioner Sharon seconded. Commissioner Plattzer, Commissioner Sharon, Commissioner Stein and Chair Roth voted aye.

Staff recommended approval after determining the project met applicable development standards for the site and was categorically exempt from further environmental review under the CEQA Guidelines. Denise Thomas, the city’s community development director, and Principal Planner Robbie Nesivik told the commission that a biological assessment found no sensitive species in the area proposed for development, which consists largely of non‑native grasses. The project site is in the Old Agoura Design Overlay and zoned OSR; the parcel totals 6.45 acres.

The project scope includes a new detached garage (described in staff materials as a “garage/barn”), a sports court with downward‑facing shielded lighting, and a pitching bullpen. The existing single‑family residence on the site measures about 7,057 square feet; the applicant’s presentation identified an existing roughly 1,000‑square‑foot garage and a roughly 1,300‑square‑foot patio cover. Landscaping shown to the commission includes three coast live oaks, a California sycamore, a California laurel and native shrubs intended to help the accessory uses blend with surrounding open space.

Robbie Nesivik said the proposed accessory structures are sited on the northwest corner of the property adjacent to already developed lots, leaving the eastern portion of the parcel in a natural state to serve as a buffer to open space. Nesivik also said the garage and other accessory uses conform with yard, coverage and height standards for the site and that no variance was required for the new garage because the principal dwelling previously received a height variance at its construction.

Commissioners asked about stormwater and surface coverage, noise and wildfire safety. Commissioner Stein said he was satisfied the project would remain under the project’s impervious‑surface limit and that Public Works will review and approve final civil plans, including grading and drainage, to ensure consistency with the approved proposals. Commissioner Sharon and others asked about noise and lighting; the commission and applicant emphasized that the sports court is intended for private, family recreation rather than public events and that the lighting plan includes shielded fixtures and an automatic timer to turn lights off at 11 p.m., a condition of approval.

On wildfire safety, staff explained that LA County Fire examines fire‑related development standards such as access and fuel modification, and that building code and building and safety reviews address construction standards for structures located in the very high fire hazard severity zone.

The application materials include a letter of approval from the Old Agoura homeowners group, and no public speaker cards or written correspondence were received on the item. Commissioner Stein disclosed an on‑site visit prior to the hearing.

The commission’s approval is final for 15 days unless appealed to the City Council.

"I always like to see that people are improving their property and trying to enjoy as much as they can," Commissioner Stein said during deliberations.

Action details: Conditional Use Permit CUP2024-0029 and Site Plan/Architectural Review Permit SPR2024-0047 were approved by vote 4-0. The decision may be appealed to City Council within 15 days.