Some highlights of the draft Jackson County steep slope ordinance
• The ordinance only applies to development on slopes greater than 30 percent.
• Developers must file a hydrology report, geotechnical analysis and a tree survey and reforestation plan. They must also provide an assessment describing the impact of the development on the environment of the mountain.
• Earth moving should be limited to the minimum required for the footprint of the foundation, driveways and roads.
• The roofline of a home cannot must be at least 20 feet below any ridgeline.
• No wholesale clearing of trees in front of a home for views. Natural vegetation must be retained to screen at least 50 percent of a the face of a building when viewed from the nearest public road.
• Homes should use natural, earth-tone color pallettes.
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• Outside light should be muted and kept from spilling onto neighboring properties.
• To avoid excessive cut-and-fill slopes for building pads, homes on hillsides should “step-down” the mountain with a split foundation to conform to the natural contour of the slope.
• Cut slopes cannot exceed a 1:1 ratio and fill slopes cannot exceed a 1.5:1 ratio. Cut-and-fill slopes greater than 35 feet in vertical height shall be benched at 35 foot intervals.
• Density follows a sliding scale based on the slope. Lots must be a minimum of two acres on slopes with a 30 to 35 percent grade; 2.5 acres on slopes with a 35 to 39 percent grade; 5 acres on slopes with a 40 to 44 percent grade, and 10 acres on slopes great than 45 percent.
