Chapter 17.5 — RIDGELINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT

The purpose of the ridgeline and environmental preservation overlay ("-R overlay") district regulations is to insure that development proposed within areas of great visual and environmental importance to Orinda, such as ridgelines and other sensitive areas, receives a heightened level of regulation and review, so that these visual and environmental resources are preserved and maintained to the greatest extent possible, as directed by the Orinda general plan. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part))

The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this Chapter 17.5: "Environmental preservation zone" includes that geographical area of the city shown on the North Orinda Specific Plan Map adopted November 21, 1978, and is shown on the Orinda Zoning Map as part of the -R overlay district. "Ridge lot" means a lot: (1) which is on a visually prominent land mass; and (2) any part of which is inside the -R overlay district as shown on the Orinda Zoning Map. "Ridgeline" means a ground line located at the highest elevation of and running parallel to the long axis of the ridge. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part))

The ridgeline and environmental preservation overlay district may be combined with any base district and is indicated on the Orinda Zoning Map by the designation -R overlay district. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part))

A. Development located partially or entirely in a ridgeline overlay zone, or partially or entirely within the environmental preservation zone shall be less than five hundred (500) square feet of floor area and less than eighteen (18) feet in height except as provided in subsection B below.

B. An applicant may elect to seek approval to exceed the maximum allowed size described in subsection A, above, through general design review approval under Section 17.30.5 and special design review approval under Section 17.30.7, except as provided in Section 17.5.6. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part); Ord. No. 10-10, § 2(exh.A), 1-4-11; Ord. No. 17-03; § 2(Att. A), 8-1-17)

An application under this Chapter 17.5 shall include a visual analysis illustrating the potential development as viewed off-site and back toward the ridgeline containing the proposed development. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part))

Special design review under Section 17.30.7 does not apply to the issuance of a building permit for development of a lot which is within residential subdivision which is within the North Orinda specific plan area if the final subdivision map was approved before July 1, 1985, and if the approving agency made specific findings that the subdivision was consistent with the environmental preservation zone. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part))