Sec. 21-43. - Objectives.

In the administration of the provisions of this division, the county shall strive to achieve the following objectives when considering and applying conditions to the approval of a tentative subdivision map.

In general, extensive hillside areas in the county dominate the view from most of the heavily traveled and highly developed areas. Building construction, road construction, grading operations and the removal of native cover therefore substantially affect the natural scenic background for such traveled and developed areas. In order to preserve a basic and valuable resource which has made the county unique and is an important factor in its basic economy, subdivisions and other developments shall be designed to preserve, to the extent that it is reasonable and feasible, the natural appearance of extensive hillsides. To accomplish this end, the subdivision committee shall encourage and, where necessary, require:

(a)

Grading which preserves the natural curves of the land especially at the horizon and which does not result in "staircase" or "rice paddy" effects.

(b)

Retention of trees and other native vegetation (except in those cases where a high fire hazard results) which stabilize steep hillsides, retain moisture, prevent erosion and enhance the natural scenic beauty.

(c)

Construction of roads where the same are necessary on steep hillsides in such a way as to minimize scars from cuts and fills and avoid permanent scarring of the hillsides.

(d)

Placement of building sites in such a manner as to permit ample room for adequate landscaping and drainage between and around the buildings.

(e)

Grading which will round off, in a natural manner, sharp angles at the top and toe of cut and fill slopes, both with respect to building sites and to road cross-sections.

(f)

Sloping lot designs so that split levels and divided unit homes will be appropriate in order to reduce the amount of grading and disturbance of natural contours.

(g)

"Cluster" type developments or other new concepts where appropriate in order to eliminate as far as possible construction on steep or dangerous terrain without significantly reducing population density otherwise permitted by zoning ordinances applicable to the property in question.

(h)

Early temporary or permanent planting, or both, wherever appropriate to maintain necessary cut and fill slopes to stabilize them by plant roots and to conceal the raw soil from view.

(Ord. No. 1751, § 2)