Agoura Hills residents voiced concern Wednesday about a proposed ordinance aimed at making sure new homes and home additions are compatible with their neighborhoods.

City planning officials organized the meeting to hear public comments on the proposed Residential Neighborhood Compatibility Ordinance, which would set rules for building in established tract-style neighborhoods as well as in the rustic, equestrian-oriented Old Agoura area.

"I think the Planning Commission is getting into things they shouldn't be dealing with," said Danielle Waters, an Old Agoura resident who urged the city to minimize its involvement with new building.

"We want less definition, not more. We're tired of everybody telling everybody else what to do," Waters said. "It's difficult to have other people tell you that they don't like your house."

About 35 residents, most from the Old Agoura neighborhood, attended the session. It was moderated by Joyce Parker, a planning consultant for the city.

Among those in attendance, some spoke in favor of strict guidelines while others resented the potential complications involved in getting a project approved.

The audience included some who identified themselves as long-time residents who purchased their homes many years ago as well as others who said they are newer residents and spent more than $1 million each on property.

Several members of the audience asked why the ordinance was needed at all and whose idea it was.

Doug Hooper, the city's assistant director of planning and community development, said the City Council had directed the city to move forward on the issue.

One audience member questioned the need for it, pointing to a minimal amount of building space left in the city. In response, Parker said the trend will be to tear down existing homes and rebuild, which will qualify as new construction, she said.

The workshop-style meeting was aimed at gathering comments, and no official action was taken during it. Two members of the city Planning Commission attended as observers only.

City officials say they will continue seeking public comments about the proposal.

One aspect of the ordinance requires Old Agoura equestrian properties to maintain at least 1,500 square feet of land for horse use as a way of preserving horse-keeping rights for future owners.

Robyn Britton, a member of the zoning and planning committees of the Old Agoura Homeowners Association, urged her neighbors to consider the future. "In 30 or 40 years, almost everyone in this room will be gone, so think about how you want Old Agoura to look," she said.