(A) Intent of mitigation. The city recognizes that property owners, subdividers, or condominium developers may wish to develop in portions of those protected natural resource feature areas shown as eligible for mitigation in Table 154.503.1. Provisions in this subchapter set forth the conditions for mitigation and mitigation standards for the various natural resource features for which mitigation is allowed under the provisions of Table 154.503.1. The intent of these provisions is not to permit greater destruction of natural resource features than is permitted under the requirements of this subchapter for a typical property or development. This subchapter sets specific standards for use when the extent of the natural resources on a site and the use of the regulations would create a major hardship for said natural resource feature protection. Thus, mitigation is intended to be used instead of a variance request when severe hardships would result from the strict enforcement of the natural resource protection standards and requirements set forth in this subchapter.
(B) Off-site mitigation. Off-site mitigation may be permitted if such off-site mitigation occurs within the same watershed as the natural resource feature or property being mitigated and follows the methods, requirements, standards, and/or criteria set forth under this subchapter. All permitted off-site mitigation shall occur within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ord. O-05-04, passed 4-11-05)