Industry Banned on 30 Acres Near Agoura

The Los Angeles County Planning Commission voted Wednesday to rezone 30 acres in the mountains of Agoura for residential use, calling it a mistake that the land had been zoned for light industry since the 1950s.

The commission voted 3 to 0 to bring the zoning into conformity with the county’s general plan, which calls for houses in the mountain valley near Troutdale Drive and Kanan Road.

Towing services, a welding shop, a metal-fabrication business, horse-boarding facilities and heavy-equipment storage buildings are now on the land.

Some of the 10 owners of the property said they may ask the county Board of Supervisors to overturn the commission’s decision. The landowners said that they bought the property believing it could be used for their businesses.

“We are an asset to the community,” said Jess Thomas, who leases land to one of the towing services.

But the commission agreed with homeowners, who said that the area should be considered residential and incompatible with light industry.

Moreover, the county adopted the general plan in 1981 that called for the property to be residential. In 1985, the county approved a 27-home development that is being built next to the 30-acre tract.