Clearlake City Zoning Code

18-13 SCENIC

CORRIDOR SC COMBINING ZONING DISTRICT

18-13.010 Purpose and Application.

The purpose of the SC, Scenic Corridor, Combining Zone is to preserve the scenic quality of the land immediately visible from State Highway 53 (refer to definition of “viewshed”). This zone is intended to be combined with other zones adjacent to scenic highways and roads. This district shall be combined with base zones that are within three hundred (300') feet of the edge of right-of-way of State Highway 53. For any parcel, of which any portion is within the SC Combining District, the entire parcel shall be subject to the regulations and standards of the SC Zone. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-13.020 Allowed Uses.

All permitted uses allowed in the base zone. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-13.030 Property Development Standards.

a. The siting of transmission lines (fifty (50) kV and over) shall avoid interfering with scenic views to the greatest extent possible, taking into account the design and size of the transmission towers, the nature of the landscape and the placement of the transmission towers in the landscape. New high voltage transmission facilities (fifty (50) kV lines and above) shall not be sited along a foreground view (up to one-quarter (1/4) to one-half (1/2) mile) of existing and potential State, County or City scenic highways as designated in the Clearlake General Plan, designated residential areas or major resorts unless no feasible alternatives exist. In situations where no feasible alternatives exist, undergrounding or other visual mitigation measures shall be imposed.

b. Grading and cut/fill shall be kept to a minimum and shall be prohibited whenever such activities will have an adverse impact on the scenic resources of the State highway.

c. Any exposed slopes resulting from grading shall be stabilized by plantings of compatible vegetation. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-13.040 Viewshed Analysis.

a. Purpose. The purpose and intent of this section is to provide guidance in protecting the scenic quality of the City for visitors and residents ensuring that future improvements and/or developments are compatible with existing landforms, including but not limited to hillsides, ridgelines, green belts, lake views, local streets, minor arterials and major collectors roadways.

b. Scenic Resource. While there is no comprehensive list of specific features that automatically qualify as scenic resources, certain characteristics can be identified which contribute to the determination of a scenic resource, including but not limited to:

1. A unique, or massive rock formation(s);

2. A historic building and/or location in accordance with the California Office of Historic Preservation;

3. A feature identified in applicable planning documents and/or reports/assessments as having special scenic value;

4. A feature integrated with its surroundings or overlapping scenic elements to form a panorama view, such as waters, Clear Lake or Mount Konocti;

5. A vegetative or structural feature that has local, regional, or statewide importance;

6. An area or feature(s) determined by the City Council, Planning Commission and/or the Community Development Director at time of application submittal.

c. Visual Impact Avoidance Guidelines. If determined to be in a viewshed and/or scenic corridor, depending on the type and characteristic of development and level of impact the development should incorporate measures to lessen visual impacts such as:

1. Limit the extent of grading, tree removal, amount of cuts and fills, length of roadways, height of retaining walls and areas for building envelopes. Conservation easements may be appropriate to protect viewsheds and sensitive visual resources.

2. Building envelopes may need to be adjusted or moved back to avoid the most visible locations and/or reduced in size to protect vegetation that may screen the structures. Structures could be limited in their size or height to reduce bulk and contrast.

3. Color and texture of building materials should be consistent with the surrounding environment. Nonreflective surfaces and darker colors should be utilized to avoid glare and contrast.

4. Provide screening vegetation and landscape plans subject to design review.

5. Provide viewshed sensitive exterior lighting that is low mounted, downward casting and fully shielded to prevent glare. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

Clearlake City Zoning Code

18-13 SCENIC

CORRIDOR SC COMBINING ZONING DISTRICT

18-13.010 Purpose and Application.

18-13.020 Allowed Uses.

All permitted uses allowed in the base zone. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-13.030 Property Development Standards.

b. Grading and cut/fill shall be kept to a minimum and shall be prohibited whenever such activities will have an adverse impact on the scenic resources of the State highway.

c. Any exposed slopes resulting from grading shall be stabilized by plantings of compatible vegetation. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-13.040 Viewshed Analysis.

1. A unique, or massive rock formation(s);

2. A historic building and/or location in accordance with the California Office of Historic Preservation;

3. A feature identified in applicable planning documents and/or reports/assessments as having special scenic value;

4. A feature integrated with its surroundings or overlapping scenic elements to form a panorama view, such as waters, Clear Lake or Mount Konocti;

5. A vegetative or structural feature that has local, regional, or statewide importance;

6. An area or feature(s) determined by the City Council, Planning Commission and/or the Community Development Director at time of application submittal.

3. Color and texture of building materials should be consistent with the surrounding environment. Nonreflective surfaces and darker colors should be utilized to avoid glare and contrast.

4. Provide screening vegetation and landscape plans subject to design review.

5. Provide viewshed sensitive exterior lighting that is low mounted, downward casting and fully shielded to prevent glare. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

Clearlake City Zoning Code

18-13 SCENIC

CORRIDOR SC COMBINING ZONING DISTRICT

18-13.010 Purpose and Application.

18-13.020 Allowed Uses.

All permitted uses allowed in the base zone. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-13.030 Property Development Standards.

b. Grading and cut/fill shall be kept to a minimum and shall be prohibited whenever such activities will have an adverse impact on the scenic resources of the State highway.

c. Any exposed slopes resulting from grading shall be stabilized by plantings of compatible vegetation. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))

18-13.040 Viewshed Analysis.

1. A unique, or massive rock formation(s);

2. A historic building and/or location in accordance with the California Office of Historic Preservation;

3. A feature identified in applicable planning documents and/or reports/assessments as having special scenic value;

4. A feature integrated with its surroundings or overlapping scenic elements to form a panorama view, such as waters, Clear Lake or Mount Konocti;

5. A vegetative or structural feature that has local, regional, or statewide importance;

6. An area or feature(s) determined by the City Council, Planning Commission and/or the Community Development Director at time of application submittal.

3. Color and texture of building materials should be consistent with the surrounding environment. Nonreflective surfaces and darker colors should be utilized to avoid glare and contrast.

4. Provide screening vegetation and landscape plans subject to design review.

5. Provide viewshed sensitive exterior lighting that is low mounted, downward casting and fully shielded to prevent glare. (Ord. #271-2025, S2 (Exh. A))