A. Review: In order to fulfill the purposes of this chapter, the planning commission (for conditional uses and subdivisions), and the community development department (for permitted uses) shall review any proposed development which requires preparation of a geologic hazards report under this chapter to determine the possible risks to the safety of persons or property from geologic hazards.
B. Expert Review; Costs: Prior to consideration by the planning commission or the community development department of any such development, the community development department shall submit the report to the city engineer, the Utah geological and mineral survey, the U.S. forest service, and/or other experts for reviewand recommendation. Any cost the city must pay for the review shall be paid by the applicant prior to planning commission or community development department action. The community development department shall file a copy of the geologic hazards report in the city geologic hazards library and another copy with the Utah geological and mineral survey.
C. Standards: The city geologist and other retained experts in their review of the report, and the planning commission or community development director in their consideration of the development, shall determine whether the development complies with the following standards:
1. The development does not present an unreasonable risk to the safety of persons or property (including public streets), or to the aesthetics and geologic functions of the landscape (e.g., drainage, wildlife habitat, etc.) because of the presences of geologic hazards.
2. At the planning commission's discretion, with advice from the city's consulting geologist, such area may be approved for development if the applicant submits substantial evidence that, using best available practices, the identified hazards can be mitigated to a level where the risk to human life and damage to property, as well as the risk to the aesthetics and geologic functions of the site, are reduced to a reasonable and acceptable level in a manner which has a minimum effect on the geologic environment.
D. Necessary Requirements May Be Set: The planning commission or community development director may set requirements necessary to reduce the risks from geologic hazards as a condition to the approval of any development which requires preparation of a geologic hazards report. (Ord. 2012-15, 9-20-2012; amd. Ord. 2021-26, 10-14-2021)