The Agua Dulce Community Standards District (CSD) is going through some doggone changes to preserve its “community character.”

In a unanimous vote by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors a new CSD wasy approved that addresses a number of issues including the number of cargo shipping containers on a property and the allowable number of dogs.

That’s nothing to sniff at.

Mary Johnson and other members of the Agua Dulce Town Council were in attendance at the meeting.

“This document goes a long way to protect what Agua Dulce has. We’re unique and it really will solidify the future to keep our unique world atmosphere,” said Johnson.

The Agua Dulce Town Council didn’t get exactly every thing they wanted.

They had proposed that on lots that are one net acre or greater in size, that two additional dogs be allowed for each additional net acre of lot size with a maximum allowance of seven dogs.

Although the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission (RPC) recommended changes for approval by the supervisors, they did not simply roll over and play dead.

“…an increase from three dogs to seven dogs would be significant, could set a precedent for other unincorporated communities, and could be excessive in light of concerns related to noise and public safety.”

The supervisors approved one additional dog on lots that are larger than two acres, two additional dogs on lots that are larger than three acres, three additional dogs on lots that are larger than four acres, with a maximum of six dogs.

When it comes to cargo containers it’s not a question of wanting to add on to what property owners currently have because current zoning ordinances don’t allow any shipping containers in residential or agricultural areas.

The Agua Dulce Town Council has proposed a maximum of 10 cargo containers allowed on a property depending on lot size.

“…an increase from zero containers to as many as ten containers would be significant, could set a precedent for other unincorporated communities, and could be considered excessive in light of concern for aesthetics and visual impacts.”

The compromise will allow three storage containers on lots larger than 10 acres.

Arnold Sachs, a frequent speaker at Board of Supervisors meetings, seemed to view one person’s “durable and relatively inexpensive location for the storage of agricultural equipment and household items” as another person’s eyesore. He addressed the Agua Dulce Town Council and the board’s definition of community preservation with sarcasm.

“Nothing says community character like the allowance of cargo shipping containers,” said Sachs.

The containers cannot be stacked, must be uniform in color and not display writing that is related to content safety.

The zoning ordinance also does not currently allow commercial vehicle parking in residential and agricultural zones. The Agua Dulce Town Council proposed that,

on lots that are five net acres or greater in size, parking for one commercial vehicle (such as a truck tractor-semitrailer) be allowed.

RPC staff did not recommend allowance of commercial vehicle parking in residential and agricultural zones.

There was also the issue of drainage standards. The Agua Dulce Town Council originally proposed that specific drainage standards be included in the community standards district update. However, RPC staff concluded that the proposed drainage standards would be redundant with the Low Impact Development Standards currently contained in the Zoning Ordinance.

According to the RPC, the Agua Dulce Town Council wanted to expand the boundaries of the community standards district by including properties that are currently located within the Acton Community Standards District boundaries. Although these property owners want to be included in the Agua Dulce Community Standards District the Acton Town Council has opposed any changes.

The RPC is therefore not recommending the expansion.

The RPC conducted a public hearing to consider the proposed update to the Agua Dulce Community Standards District of Title 22 (Zoning Ordinance) of the County Code on February 22, 2012.