Nevada City Municipal Code § 17.68.200 Purpose

The SC scenic corridor combining district classification is intended to be applied to land areas which are adjacent to roads and highways which are indicated on the General Plan with the symbol for scenic corridors, and as may be designated by the city council from time to time. These roadways are generally entryways to Nevada City which were recognized in the General Plan as being particularly important to protect the existing essential character of Nevada City, namely that of a small, compact historical town surrounded by green, wooded hills, by hiding development from view from the highways and preserving the existing tree cover to the greatest extent possible, and assuring visually pleasing corridors through design control.

(Ord. 87-2 § 5.03-01, 1987)

A. In any district abutting or within three hundred feet of a scenic corridor highway right-of-way and/or as indicated with the "-SC combining district on the Zone District Map, the base zoning district regulations shall apply, except that the site plan, tentative map, or conditional use permit for the development, must be reviewed by the planning commission for compliance with the intent of the scenic corridor General Plan policies and these regulations.

B. The planning commission may require revision of the proposed site plan, tentative map, building permit site plan, or conditional use permit, or the incorporation of special conditions of approval or design features, prior to approval. In reviewing applications for compliance with this combining district, the planning commission may consider:

1. The height, bulk, and area of buildings or improvements;

2. Setbacks from the property lines. The commission may consider increasing the setback requirements of the district, if needed to protect the scenic corridor;

3. The colors, textures, and materials of the exterior walls and roofs, and the roof pitches;

4. The parking lot location and distribution and effectiveness of landscaping and natural areas, and the location of any type of any proposed signs;

5. The relationship to other building or existing or proposed uses in the area;

6. The extent and visual impact of proposed cuts, fills, and/or retaining walls;

7. The shape of land forms and existing vegetation.

C. In approving an application for a land use abutting a scenic corridor, the planning commission must make the following findings:

1. That the proposed plan, as conditioned, is consistent with the General Plan;

2. That the proposed plan, as conditioned, contains sufficient design and/or landscaping features to protect and enhance the aesthetics of the scenic corridor;

D. The clearing of natural vegetation within fifty feet of the right-of-way line of any scenic corridor highway is prohibited, except as approved in conjunction with the review of the development plan, as provided herein.

(Ord. 87-2 § 5.03-02, 1987)

The decision of the planning commission regarding scenic corridor development is final, unless appealed to the city council, in accordance with Chapter 17.88 of this title.

(Ord. 87-2 § 5.03-03, 1987)