A.

To protect life and property from all potentially hazardous conditions particular to hillsides such as rock falls, stormwater runoff and mass movements.

B.

To preserve and enhance the scenic and environmental resources of the landscape by encouraging the maximum retention of prominent natural topographic features, such as drainage swales, streams, slopes, ridgelines, rock outcroppings, vistas, natural plant formations and trees.

C.

To encourage innovative design and planning in order that the development adapts to the natural terrain and is harmonious with the character of the area.

D.

To minimize grading and cut and fill operations in order to retain the natural character of the hillside.

E.

To minimize stormwater runoff and erosion problems incurred by the development on and off the lot.

F.

To preserve, where possible, the natural streams, ponds and associated riparian vegetation.

G.

To reduce the elimination of trees and other vegetation which stabilizes steep hillsides, retains moisture, prevents erosion and enhances the natural scenic beauty. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

No person shall undertake any land disturbing activity of areas greater than seven thousand five hundred square feet within the city of Woodland Park and its jurisdictions without first obtaining a grading permit from the city of Woodland Park planning department except that no permit shall be required for the following land-disturbing activities:

A.

Those done for the purpose of fighting fires.

B.

Those done in the stockpiling of raw or processed sand, stone, or gravel in material processing plants and storage yards, (provided they meet the city of Woodland Park soil erosion and sedimentation section).

C.

A grading permit once approved is valid for a period of one year. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

Fees for permits may be established or amended from time to time by resolution of the city council of the city of Woodland Park. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

All grading permits shall be valid for one year from the date the permit is issued provided that the approved application and the conditions of its approval have not changed.

Any land-disturbing activity requiring an approved plan that is not completed within one year of the date the permit was issued for that land-disturbing activity shall be required to reapply for an additional grading permit, hereafter referred to as an extended grading permit. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

It shall be the responsibility of the property owner, developer, or designated agent to apply for any grading permit as required by this ordinance on a form furnished by the city of Woodland Park planning department.

No grading permit shall be issued for land-disturbing activity until a zoning development permit has been issued by the city planner as specified in Title 18 of the city of Woodland Park zoning ordinance. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

Any land-disturbing activity which requires an extended permit, must comply with all current regulations adopted by the city council within the city of Woodland Park zoning code and the city of Woodland Park soil erosion and sedimentation section at the time of application.

Extended permits issued shall be valid for a maximum length of one year. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

A grading plan that is not well adapted to the existing topography may result in costly grading, building foundations, and utility installation.

A.

Grading Plan Required. No person shall undertake any land-disturbing activity within the city of Woodland Park or its jurisdictions, with the exceptions of single-family projects of an area of seven thousand five hundred square feet or less, without first submitting a grading plan to the city of Woodland Park planning department for review and approval. Grading plan review and approval is necessary before the issuance of a grading permit. Applicant shall submit three copies of the plan at a scale not smaller than one inch equals fifty feet.

Plans submitted for issuance of grading permits, preliminary plats, final plats submitted for subdivision approval shall include detailed plans, specifications and supporting calculations for the construction of stormwater management measures. The design of drainage facilities shall be in accordance with city of Woodland Park drainage manual and engineering specifications.

Grading plans may contain sufficient information as specified in, but not limited to the topographic survey and grading plan format, to allow the planning department to determine if the requirements and intent of this ordinance as applied to the proposed development have been met.

Two distinct types of development are defined as: Type A: subdivision development and all commercial development and to include a single-family residential lot development with land disturbance of greater than one (1) acre; and Type B: single-family residential building site. The grading plan content and its requirements differ depending upon the above development type. All Type A developments are required to be prepared by registered professional surveyors for topography and/or registered professional engineers. All type B developments do not require registered professionals except where larger than one acre, which will be considered as Type A.

B.

Topographic Survey. This plan includes detailed information of natural features prior to development. In addition to showing existing physical features such as buildings, overhead and/or underground utilities, roadways, walks, water and drainage features; the plan also shows the location and limits of existing vegetation.

Survey information can be provided through the submittal of the topographical survey which would typically be required to execute the grading and utilities plan. This survey shall be produced by a registered land surveyor. Topographical maps prepared for the city of Woodland Park or Teller County are also acceptable providing that the maps reflect the current existing conditions of the lot and are certified as accurate by a registered land surveyor.

C.

Basic Survey Data. The following survey data must be obtained to correctly execute the grading plans:

1.

Boundary information (metes and bounds, legal description) of the site if available. Also show existing and proposed street rights-of-way.

2.

Location of existing curbing, walks, grass, utility or planting strips, edge of pavement, roadway medians, (if any), and respective grades, widths, and alignments.

3.

Location, size, and depths of all existing underground utilities when available, including gas, electric, water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage features, television cable. Also location and approximate height above existing grade of overhead utility lines and poles.

4.

Location and description of all recorded public or private utility easements, building setbacks, and drainage easements encumbering the lot.

5.

Location of all natural features, such as rock out-croppings, watersheds, streams, ponds, etc. on the lot or within one hundred feet of the "graded area." This information conveys the impact of the proposed development on the lot and adjacent area.

6.

Show existing structures such as buildings, retaining walls, fences, building foundations, underground storage tanks, etc. Also show or indicate the existence of any wells or septic fields within one hundred feet of the "graded area." Reference setbacks of other buildings on adjacent properties and adjacent property lines.

D.

Grading Plan Format. The grading plan shall show the existing and proposed shape of earth and surfaced areas. The method of portrayal shall be well thought out and systematized. The following information shall be included in all grading plans submitted to the city of Woodland Park for approval:

1.

Show grades at corners of buildings, step landings, and first floor elevations.

2.

Show finished grades at the edges of surfaced areas and at such interior points as necessary to show the shaping of the area. Use a combination of proposed contours and spot elevations to convey this information.

3.

Show proposed roadway elevations by proposed contours and spot elevations where necessary. Depend on profiles, cross sections, and spot elevations to establish the grading of paved areas such as roadways.

4.

Show top-of-curb grades at all connecting walks, curb returns, and all catch basin locations.

5.

Show spot elevations along swale lines, using arrows to show direction of flow. Show slope gradients.

6.

Show top elevations of all storm and sanitary sewer manholes and other appurtenances.

7.

Lawn and earth grades can be shown by proposed contours and spot elevations where necessary.

8.

Existing contours are usually shown by broken lines, proposed finished contours by solid lines over surfaced, lawn and earth areas.

9.

Show the proposed location of stockpiled topsoil for future use in landscaped areas. This should be located outside the root zones of significant vegetation to be preserved to avoid root compaction.

10.

Reference the storage locations of construction materials outside the root zones of vegetation to be preserved to avoid root compaction.

11.

Show the location of existing significant vegetation such as specimen trees or the canopy limits of wooded areas intended for preservation.

12.

Note the elevations of any floodplains located on a lot, or directly affecting a lot, (i.e. drainage, sediment and erosion control considerations and/or watershed protection). (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

A.

Any land-disturbing activity whose design requires the grading of slopes, shall meet the following specific standards:

1.

All unarmored and structurally unretained graded slopes and fills shall be limited to a 3:1 grade. (Note: three feet horizontal to one foot vertical typical), except where soil conditions may require up to 3:1 as deemed necessary by the city engineer.

2.

Any graded or fill slope which exceeds a 3:1 grade shall be required to use universally accepted armoring techniques, or retaining structures as approved by the city engineer or, at the developers expense, certification by a licensed professional engineer stating that the slopes can be stabilized by plantings, vegetative seeding, mulching. In the instance of slope cuts that involve rock formations it may be required to be certified by a registered geologist.

Any retaining structures exceeding four feet in height shall be certified by a licensed professional engineer to have been built in accordance with the approved plan. Such certification shall be submitted to the planning department.

3.

Any graded or fill slope which exceeds a 3:1 grade shall be terraced at twenty-foot vertical intervals. Slopes graded between 2:1 and 3:1 shall have a minimum bench width of five feet. Slopes steeper than 2:1 shall have a minimum bench width of five feet, and may be required to have wider benches upon staff review of grading plan.

4.

Any graded slope which exceeds a 3:1 grade shall be grade staked before grading process begins. The city of Woodland Park planning department shall be notified immediately after slope has been staked and prior to grading.

5.

Maximum slopes proposed within a minimum of twenty feet of an established property line or any required setback adjacent to a property line shall be 3:1 tying into existing grades along perimeter or property line of the site or retained via retaining walls or other acceptable measures. Encroachment of grading onto adjacent lots will not be allowed except where easements have been obtained prior to the grading.

6.

Field stakes sufficient to delineate property boundary, shall be in place at the time the grading plan is submitted for review.

B.

Construction Sequence. A construction sequence outlining the proposed time-table for completion of each phase of site grading work may be required to be submitted in conjunction with the grading plan to the city planning department for review and approval.

Where practical, construction of all slopes and retaining structures shall be completed and approved by inspection and certification prior to initiating any approved building construction. Practicality shall be determined on a case specific basis by the planning director or his/her designee. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

The city of Woodland Park planning department reserves the right, upon inspection, to require that a certification be submitted by a licensed professional engineer, architect or landscape architect stating that the lot has been graded in accordance with the approved plan. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))

A.

Three copies of the grading plan shall be submitted to the city of Woodland Park planning department for review. The department shall review the plans for completeness and for compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Incomplete or nonconforming plans shall be returned to the applicant without review.

B.

Submitted grading plans shall require approval prior to the issuance of a grading or zoning development permit. The planning department shall within thirty days of receipt of the plan for Type A (commercial and subdivision) and ten working days for Type B (single-family residence), approve or disapprove the grading plan and issue or deny the appropriate permit.

Such action shall be in writing. In the case of disapproval the reasons for disapproval shall be in writing and provided to the applicant.

C.

Applications for amendment to a grading plan in written and/or graphic form may be made at any time by filing such documents with the planning department. Until such time as any amendment is approved by the department, it shall be unlawful for the permit holder to deviate from the grading plan as approved.

D.

Inspections. Reference Section 18.75.010 of the city of Woodland Park zoning code.

E.

Stop Orders. Whenever grading activity is being undertaken in a manner which is in violation of this ordinance, the city of Woodland Park planning department may order the work that is in violation to be immediately stopped. The stop order shall be in writing and directed to the person responsible for the violations, and shall state the specific work to be stopped, the specific reasons for stoppage, and the conditions under which the work may be resumed. Appeals from a stop work order shall be made as prescribed in Chapter 18.54 of the Woodland Park Municipal Code. Pending the ruling on the appeal no further work may take place.

F.

Security. Reference Section 18.72.05 of the city of Woodland Park Municipal Code. (Ord. 709-1997 § 2(part))