Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Outdoor Dining topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves outdoor dining and permanent valet at Wissen Market with conditions on signage and parking monitoring
Summary
The commission approved a center‑wide outdoor dining permit and a permanent valet service for the Wissen Market in the Agora Village specific plan after staff's parking study and fire review; owners committed to clearer loading zones and outreach to delivery services. Vote 4-0.
The Agoura Hills Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a comprehensive outdoor dining permit and to make a temporary valet service permanent at the Wissen Market shopping center in the Agora Village specific plan.
City Associate Planner Katrina Garcia summarized the proposal and the code changes that prompted a center‑wide application: under the city's 2023 outdoor‑dining ordinance, tenants wanting four or more tables must obtain an outdoor dining permit and property owners were encouraged to apply site‑wide so staff could verify parking and plumbing requirements. Garcia told the commission the owner submitted a parking analysis showing peak occupancy patterns and that the fire department reviewed the valet circulation and found it acceptable.
"This permit does not include approval of any alcohol service," Garcia said, noting alcohol service remains a separate conditional use permit handled by ABC and local land‑use review.
Bill Tucker, one of the project owners, described the temporary valet that has been operating in a former batting‑cage area and said it had already helped free up customer parking. "We've already installed it on a temporary basis, and it's been there for about three months," Tucker said, adding the operator uses three attendants as a baseline and increases staff on busy nights.
Speakers at public comment voiced support and concerns. Sunrose owner Mark Hernandez said outdoor dining is "key for us." Resident Matt McGee raised concerns about delivery drivers and pick‑up congestion, prompting the owner to commit to clearer loading/unloading markings and to contact delivery platforms so drivers use designated short‑term spaces rather than slow-stopping in main circulation lanes.
The commission approved the permit with conditions that require the removal of portable valet signage and equipment when not operating, additional landscaping and screening for the valet parking area, and an ongoing ability for staff to review parking demand as tenant mix changes. The decision passed by roll call, 4–0.
What happens next: the owner will implement signage and outreach measures and the community development department will monitor parking demand and may require additional mitigation if future tenants change peak parking needs.
