The mountains and foothills in and around the town are a valuable scenic resource which should be preserved. Dominant peaks and ridges should be protected and the intensity of development regulated according to the natural characteristics of hillside terrain such as slope, vegetation, landform, soil stability and drainage pattern.

A.   Initiation of protection for peaks and ridges. The designation of protected areas for certain peaks and ridges shall be initiated by the council or the planning commission or as part of a comprehensive plan update or as a condition of rezoning of the property.

B.   Criteria for consideration. Peaks and ridges that meet one or more of the following criteria may be considered for designation as protected areas under this chapter:

   1.   The peak point or ridge line lies within one mile of a public preserve.

   2.   The peak or ridge is a dominant feature in the surrounding landscape or constitutes a significant linking element of a dominant geographic feature.

   3.   The peak or ridge is an extension of a mountain, major hill or ridge, or other significant terrain feature, from a designated public preserve.

   4.   The peak or ridge is visible from a scenic route or a road leading to a designated trailhead.

   5.   The peak or ridge is visible to the community at large.

C.   Annexation. A peak or ridge designated by the county as a protected peak or ridge prior to annexation by the town shall be designated by the town as a protected peak or ridge in the ordinance establishing original town zoning for the property.

D.   Procedure. A town-initiated protected peak or ridge designation or any amendment to an existing protected peak or ridge designation shall be considered and adopted in the same manner as a rezoning of the affected property.

E.   Minor modification. The council or planning commission may modify the 300 foot setback from a protected peak or ridge upon finding that the request meets all of the following conditions:

   1.   The proposed development is for a single family residence.

   2.   The only area to be graded within the protected peak and ridge setback area is for a building pad and access to the building.

   3.   The highest point of the structure is not higher than 20 feet below the elevation of the peak or the nearest ridge.

Any subdivision of or development on any lot or parcel containing designated protected peak or ridge areas, as described in section 17-14-2 above, or containing slopes of 15% or greater, must be reviewed for compliance with this chapter. Until approval of a plat, plan, or permit is granted, no grubbing, grading excavation or construction shall occur.

A.   Development standards. The following standards apply to lots and parcels containing designated protected peak or ridge areas or containing slopes of 15% or greater:

   1.   Any lot or parcel shall meet the following slope, size, and density requirements:

 

   3.   Building heights are limited to 24 feet.

   4.   All exposed exterior walls and roofs of structures shall be of earth tone colors to blend in with the predominant natural colors found on the lot or parcel.

   5.   All glass surfaces shall be designed not to reflect sunlight beyond the lot or parcel boundaries.

   6.   All utilities and services shall be underground.

   7.   Roads and drives leading to lots shall be located to minimize scarring, be in low visibility view areas and maximize the retention of natural vegetation.

B.   Documentation. The following documentation shall be required for the subdivision of or development on any lot or parcel containing designated protected peak or ridge areas or containing slopes of 15% or greater:

   1.   A slope analysis certified by a registered civil engineer, for review and verification by the town engineer.

   2.   A grading plan prepared by a registered civil engineer complying with the standards for a grading plan for a type 2 grading permit, for review by the town engineer.

   3.   The developer or property owner's certification to the town engineer that the development complies with all requirements of this chapter during the period of construction.

C.   Surveying and staking. The lot or parcel shall be surveyed, staked, and inspected by a registered civil engineer, to determine and assure compliance with this chapter and the conditions of subdivision or development approval.

A.   Average cross slope of a lot or parcel will be determined by using the following equation:

B.   For purposes of the equation set forth in paragraph A above, the following values are assigned:

   1.   I = Contour interval (maximum 10') in feet

   2.   L = Combined length in feet of all contour lines measured on the lot or parcel

   3.   0.0023 = Conversion of square feet into acres x 100

   4.   A = Lot or parcel area in acres

C.   The average cross slope shall be rounded off to the nearest whole number. When .5 or higher is computed, the number shall be rounded off to the next highest whole number.

D.   The average cross slope of a lot or parcel proposed for residential purposes only may be reduced by establishing a natural area on the lot or parcel and revising the average cross slope calculation to delete the natural area from the equation.

E.   Natural areas set aside in any division of land shall not be included in the average cross slope calculation, neither in the combined length of contour (L) nor in the lot or parcel area (A). The total acreage of the lot or parcel may be used to calculate the number of dwelling units based on allowable density, provided that all other applicable provisions of this section are met.

F.   The average cross slope is used for determining slope density requirements for residential development only.