17.55.010 Purpose.
The City finds that the health, safety and the general public welfare of the residents of the City will be promoted by establishing standards for the development and excavation of hillside and slope areas located in the City so as to minimize soil and slope instability and erosion and the negative effects associated with construction in geologic hazard zones. In addition the City finds that the preservation of the visual and aesthetic character of the City’s hillsides is an important public goal. The provisions herein are intended to supplement and amplify the City subdivision and zoning ordinances and are designed to accomplish the following:
A. Prohibit development of uses which would likely result in a hazardous situation due to slope instability, rock falls, or excessive erosion;
B. Provide for safe vehicular circulation and access;
C. Encourage the location, design and development of building sites in a manner that will minimize the scarring and erosion effects of cutting, filling and grading of hillsides;
D. Encourage preservation of open space by encouraging clusters or other design techniques to preserve the natural terrain;
E. Where hillside excavation does occur, require that buildings be located in the cut area to minimize the visual effects of scarring. (Ord. 97-12 (part), 1997: Ord. 96-18 § 2 (part), 1996)