Agoura Hills planning panel approves hillside home additions, finds CEQA exemption

The Agoura Hills Planning Commission on May 21 adopted a resolution approving conditional use permit case PZ2025‑159‑CUP and site plan/architectural review case PZ2026‑36‑SPR to allow first‑ and second‑story additions to a two‑story single‑family dwelling on a steep hillside lot.

Associate Planner Eric Wong told the commission staff believes the project complies with municipal code standards and qualifies for a Class 1 categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act because the proposed additions increase floor area by less than 50 percent and the resulting area remains under the specified threshold. Wong said the 2.26‑acre lot sits in a very low density residential district with equestrian overlays and that the additions avoid protected trees and sensitive soils.

The applicant, Clay Wolflich, described the work as phase two of a larger improvement project that included an accessory dwelling unit completed in the previous year. He said neighbors were aware of the work, that the ADU is used primarily for home office space rather than long‑term rental, and that the proposed changes are intended to preserve the house’s scale while adding an open kitchen and modest living‑area expansion.

Commissioners asked about site access, setbacks and tree protection. Commissioner Stein and others said they visited the site and noted the additions fit the neighborhood context; Vice Chair Sharon and Commissioner Plattzer said they could make the required findings. Commissioner Roth and others expressed appreciation for the applicant’s outreach to neighbors. With all five commissioners voting aye, the resolution passed.

The decision is final after a 15‑day appeal period unless an appeal is filed with the City Council.

What’s next: the permittee may proceed with building permits subject to the conditions of approval in the adopted resolution; the 15‑day appeal window opens following the commission’s action.