The OS zone is established in order to:

A.

Assure the continued availability of land for recreational use;

B.

Protect scenic qualities enhancing the rural and historic character; and

C.

Conserve sensitive wildlife habitats and riparian corridors.

(Ord. 713 § 1 (part), 1996.)

In the OS zone, the following uses shall be permitted upon the granting of a use permit by the planning commission, pursuant to Chapter 17.62 of this code:

A.

Areas of land and water that are unimproved, undeveloped areas;

B.

Uses for the preservation of natural resources, such as areas required for plant or animal life preservation; areas required for ecological or other scientific purposes; streams and streamside habitat; and watershed lands;

C.

Uses for managed resource production, including rangeland; agricultural lands; streams important for management of commercial fisheries; and areas of mineral deposits;

D.

Uses devoted to outdoor recreation, including areas of outstanding scenic, historic and cultural value; areas particularly suited for park and recreation purposes, including access to streams; areas which serve as links between major recreation and open space reservations, including utility easements, banks of streams, trails, and scenic highway corridors;

E.

Uses promoting public health and safety, such as special management areas because of hazards present such as fault zones, flood plain, unstable soils, or high fire risk;

F.

Any other uses determined by the planning commission to be consistent with the open space provisions of the city general plan, and with the purposes of this chapter.

(Ord. 713 § 1 (part), 1996.)

Because of the unique nature of lands zoned OS, the land and structure regulations for areas so classified, with respect to minimum height and parcel size, density, yard setbacks, and parking and loading requirements shall be determined by the planning commission at such time as a use permit is considered pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 713 § 1 (part), 1996.)

The city council finds and declares that this chapter is not intended, and shall not be construed, as authorizing the city to exercise its power to adopt, amend or repeal an open space zone in a manner which will take or damage private property for public use without the payment of just compensation therefor. This section is not intended to increase or decrease the rights of any owner of property under the Constitution of the State of California or of the United States.

(Ord. 713 § 1 (part), 1996.)