Supervisor Mike Antonovich

[KHTS] – In effort to keep Agua Dulce rural and equestrian-friendly, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a revision to the area’s Community Standards District, part of the county’s Title 22 – Planning and Zoning of the Los Angeles County Code.

The decision comes after a long revision process, involving county planners, the Agua Dulce Town Council and other community members since 2010.

The revision was approved by the Regional Planning Commission earlier this year.

In Agua Dulce, the ordinance serves to “Maintain a dispersed, low-density development pattern to preserve the secluded rural nature of the community” and to “Protect the equestrian, agricultural, historical, cultural, archaeological and geological characteristics of the community,” according to the revised Community Standards.

Specifically the CSD would “Minimize the development of urban infrastructure,” including sewer and water systems, paved local streets, street lights, concrete sidewalks and concrete flood control systems, the document said.

County Supervisor Michael Antonovich expressed his support for the board’s decision to approve the CSD.

“Through the hard work of the town council and property owners, this action will protect Agua Dulce’s vital equestrian lifestyle, trail system and sensitive natural features, including Vasquez Rocks,” Antonovich said. “It will minimize the unnecessary influence of urban infrastructure, street lights and concrete sidewalks that would alter the rural character of the community.”

Some of the changes or additions made to the CSD affect local businesses, property owners and developers by addressing signage, trail easements and lot size.

Businesses are not allowed to post signs on the outside of their building that extend beyond the highest point of the building wall and no roof-mounted signs are allowed.

County maintained highways must also comply with rural highway standards and only incorporate curbs, gutters and sidewalks where necessary “for safety reasons or to provide pedestrian access compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act,” according to the CSD.

Residents must also provide publicly-dedicated trail easements on their property when lots are subdivided into four or more parcels or those parcels that are 20 net acres in size or greater.

Trails that are not maintained by the county will be dedicated to a Homeowners’ Association or non-profit organization for maintenance.

The CSD also determines how many dogs Agua Dulce residents may own, depending on the size of their property.

Three dogs are allowed on property between 0 and 2 acres. Two to three acre lots can have up to four dogs, five dogs for three to four aces and six dogs for four or more acres.

For details on the full changes view county board’s meeting agenda, here.

Leon Worden of SCVNews.com contributed to this report.

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