BRIEF SUMMARY: The SRV members of the LWVDV support the adoption of a slope density/ridgeline development ordinance for all unincorporated areas of the San Ramon Valley.
Position In Brief:
The SRV members of the LWVDV support the adoption of a slope density/ridgeline development ordinance for all unincorporated areas of the San Ramon Valley. The purpose of the ordinance is to preserve the scenic ridgelines of the valley, as well as to protect owners in the areas of landslides and seismic danger.
Position History:
(Adopted 1986; reviewed and affirmed annually)
The San Ramon Valley members of the LWVDV support the following objectives:
- The County’s existing slope density ordinance, developed for Orinda, should be strengthened in the following manner and adopted for all unincorporated areas of the Valley:
- The local planning commission should review architectural and landscape design.
- All utilities should be placed underground.
- Building within 100 feet of the ridgeline should be prohibited.
- The local planning commission should have a balance of members, including those with engineering, architectural, and/or design backgrounds.
- Cities wishing to adopt a slope density ordinance should review existing ordinances. The public hearing process should then be followed.
- The review process of the planning commission should strictly control variances. A variance to build on top of a ridgeline should only be approved if no other development site is available per parcel. Any ridgeline variance should include a height restriction.
- The use of planned unit developments should be encouraged in order to dedicate the ridgelines as general open space by clustering developments in the low lands.
- Development should be inspected to ensure that rules, ordinances, and/or professional guidelines have been strictly adhered to. Inspections should include technical and design reviews.
League to which this content belongs:
Diablo Valley
