(A) Reason for regulation. It is recognized that two major characteristics of the town greatly contribute to the atmosphere, cultural heritage and appeal of the whole community. Specifically, the scenic mountain views bounding the town on the north and north west and the historic county courthouse located in the middle of town both offer a sense of place and community to the town's residents and add to the attractiveness of the area. It is further recognized that the height of buildings, if left unregulated or inadequately regulated, can detract from these two features. Therefore, building heights shall be regulated based on the location of the subject building in relation to mountain view-sheds and to the historic county courthouse.
(B) Establishment of Building Height Overlay Districts. The boundaries of the Building Height Overlay Districts shall be depicted on a map named the "Town of Columbus Building Height Overlay District Map" and shall be made part of this chapter upon adoption of this section.
(C) Districts. For the purposes of determining maximum building heights, the town shall be divided into the following Building Height Overlay Districts:
(1) General;
(2) Courthouse; and
(3) Mountain View-Shed.
(D) General Building Height District. In this district no building shall be taller than 36 feet. However, if the average elevation (above mean sea level) of the ridgelines of existing adjacent buildings situated on lots having a common boundary with the subject parcel upon which the proposed building is to be situated (adjacent lots that are vacant not being included in this calculation) is less than the elevation (above mean sea level) determined by measuring 36 feet vertically from the average grade of the proposed building envelope on the subject parcel, then the proposed building shall be no taller than that average. In the event that the average elevation (above mean sea level) of the existing buildings' ridgelines on the surrounding adjacent properties is such that the subject parcel is rendered unbuildable (meaning a single story building with an appropriate roof is not feasible), then the proposed building shall have a height not exceeding 29 feet. The determination that a subject parcel is rendered unbuildable under this division (D) shall be at the discretion of the approving administrator, board, or council.
(E) Courthouse Building Height District. In this district no building's ridgeline shall have an elevation higher than the elevation defined by the plane of the soffit of the eave of the roof of the historic county courthouse; however, in no case shall a buildings height be taller than 29 feet.
(F) Mountain View-Shed District. Buildings on areas of high elevation are highly visible from surrounding public spaces. As such, buildings in this district shall not be more than 29 feet tall.
(G) Height. The height of a building shall be measured from the grade of the average grade of the property to the highest ridge of the roof of the structure.
(Ord., Art. IX, § 900, passed - -; Ord. passed - -)