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Tit <br />The next issue for the Council to consider is how to define and measure a ridgeline. While the current <br />code does define a ridgeline, which is listed as Option 1, staff feels it is insufficient in providing direction <br />on where to start and stop measuring the setback from the ridge. Staff studied several alternatives and <br />found it made the most sense to define the end of the ridgeline as the point at which it starts to only <br />decrease in elevation and to measure the setback from this point. <br />The Council is also being asked to make a determination on whether streets and roads are considered <br />"structures" in this context. While not the most common use of the term, even sensitive construction of <br />streets or roadways on a hillside require improvements that scar the landscape in a way that is not <br />dissimilar to residential development. Staff has identified several options for the Council's <br />consideration, the first two of which is extreme and identifies streets and roadways as either exempt <br />from or subject to the same limitations that any other development would be under PP. Staff was not <br />particularly satisfied with either option, as they could recall several preexisting Specific Plans that <br />anticipated a particular road that would be prohibited under these conditions or could envision spec <br />areas of town where it would be unavoidable to access public resources without crossing a 25% slope. <br />Staff therefore supports Option 3, which determines streets and /or roads are a structure and therefore, <br />covered by PP unless the street or road is intended to provide access to a public park, trail, or similar <br />facility and/or is covered by a previous Specific Plan, PUD Development Plan, or Development <br />Agreement. <br />The final issue for the Council's consideration is that of manufactured slopes. While not common, some <br />potential development sites contain slopes 25% or greater that has been created by prior grading <br />and /or construction rather than appearing naturally in the landscape and staff does not believe their <br />preservation to be consistent with the purposes of PP. Therefore, staff recommends that manufactured <br />slopes of 25% or greater not be covered by PP if the original and natural slope was less than 25% <br />based on topographic and /or visual analysis of the property's grades. <br />Councilmember Sullivan asked if there were any way that development would be allowable, under this <br />ordinance, on a lot that was predominately sloped at 25% or more but contained a very small portion <br />with a 24% slope. <br />Mr. Dolan said that specific issue has not been addressed but, without any further guidance, the <br />developer could be allowed to build if the portion sloped at 24% were sizable enough for a residential <br />building pad and met the setback requirements. This would not however be allowed if the lesser - sloped <br />portion were situated such that driveway access to the home would have to cross the 25% slope as <br />driveways are considered part of the residential development rather than a street or road. <br />Councilmember Sullivan attempted to clarify his question, asking if it would be possible to apply both <br />Options 1 and 2 for determining slope to avoid any sort of loophole in this circumstance. He said he <br />posed the question to the City Manager several times already and has not yet heard a good answer. <br />Mr. Dolan explained that anything meeting the requirements of the more conservative Option 1, which <br />staff is recommending. would inherently meet the requirements under Option 2. <br />Councilmember Sullivan said he supported the staff recommendation regarding manufactured scopes. <br />He asked if the same exemption would apply to preexisting building pads constructed on slopes <br />exceeding 25 %, even if never approved by the City. <br />Mr. Dolan said yes, provided the site could achieve driveway access that did not cross a 25% slope. <br />Councilmember Sullivan asked and staff confirmed that the Council is being asked to provide staff with <br />direction which staff will then bring to the next Council in the form of a draft ordinance. Mr. Dolan added <br />1 <br />