AGOURA HILLS : Outdoor Recreation Center Considered

The Agoura Hills City Council agreed this week to consider a proposal for a miniature golf course with Grand Prix-style auto racing and bumper boats near the Ventura Freeway, despite one member’s concerns that such uses could disrupt the quiet town.

By a 3-1 vote, the council Wednesday night approved a zone change that would allow construction of an outdoor recreation center near the freeway.

“This is just to let somebody submit a proposal,” Councilwoman Fran Pavley said after the vote. “Any specific project will come before us for review before it is built.”

The measure comes in response to a proposal by Malibu-based Environetics Development Inc. to build an Old West-style park about half a mile east of Kanan Road, including the only miniature golf course between Van Nuys and Ventura. The developers, who have yet to submit a specific plan, have said the structure would be low-profile and include noise-cutting features.

But Councilwoman Darlene McBane said she doubted whether such a center could exist without offending nearby residents.

“It’s mostly the cars I am concerned about--and the boats, unless they are paddle boats,” McBane said. “I just don’t see how this would fit in in this community.”

Environetics project manager Tami Semler said the company plans to submit a specific proposal for the center within several weeks. The council and the city Planning Commission would then schedule public hearings on the matter.