Upon review of the application, the city shall apply the criteria listed in this section to determine whether or not to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the hillside development permit. No grading, filling, clearing, or excavation of any kind shall be initiated until the hillside development permit is approved by the city, a site disturbance permit (or waiver) is obtained from the city, and the development has received approval by the decision making body. The hillside development application must first be submitted to the planning commission for a public hearing, who will then make a recommendation to the city council for final decision.
Criteria for approval:
A. The site is physically suitable for the design and location of the proposed development;
B. The proposed development will provide safe ingress and egress for all building sites, and to the public at large;
C. The proposed development shall result in minimum disturbance of hillside areas;
D. Areas not suited for development because of soil, geology, vegetation, or hydrology limitations are designated as open space;
E. Disruption of existing native vegetation is minimized;
F. The proposal sets forth sufficient and adequate mitigation for the identified visual impacts beyond the normally expected impact of hillside development. (Ord. 166, 2-5-2004)