A. Purpose.
1. The purpose of this chapter is to protect the public health, safety, general welfare, and aesthetics by regulating grading and related site work (including initial clearing, brushing or grubbing, subsequent excavating or filling, and related site work) on private and public land, including land owned by the town.
2. It establishes standards designed to:
a. Regulate the development of potentially hazardous terrain;
b. Conserve the general visual character of sites and settings;
c. Enhance the value of new development; and
d. Conserve the value of existing affected properties.
3. The guidelines and standards of this chapter have been prepared in the context of town specific desert environment. They are intended to complement the applicable provisions of development code and other town ordinances.
4. Granting of a permit for grading and related site work shall not relieve the applicant of responsibilities to other jurisdictions.
B. Interpretation.
1. This section shall be used as a guide whenever a conflict arises in the interpretation or enforcement of this chapter. The design, implementation, and mitigation of grading and related site work regulated by this chapter shall be reviewed by the town staff prior to the issuance of any permit to ensure compliance with the guidelines of this chapter and the specific standards and requirements of this chapter.
2. The design and implementation of all grading and related site work shall:
a. Minimize scars and other adverse visual impacts resulting from cut and fill;
b. Blend with the natural contours of the land;
c. Conserve the natural scenic beauty and vegetation of the site, and;
d. Restrict the area and volumes to the minimum necessary to implement the planned development.
3. In all projects, measures shall be taken to:
a. Ensure that graded hillside, slopes, or other areas subject to erosion are stabilized;
b. Reduce the erosion effects of stormwater discharge, preserve the floodway-carrying capacity of natural or constructed waterways by limiting soil loss, and protect drainageways from siltation;
c. Minimize dust pollution and surface water drainage from graded areas during grading and development; and
d. Ensure that development activity is designated and implemented to minimize adverse impacts and include appropriate restorative measures.