The following design standards are imposed upon construction, development, excavation and use of all real property within the Mountain Overlay zoning district. These standards are intended to provide a framework for development that is sensitive to the unique characteristics of hillside properties.
(A) Criteria and standards. The following list of criteria shall be considered and addressed by each applicant seeking design review approval. The commission will use this list of design review criteria as a basis to determine whether a project is to be approved, approved with conditions or denied:
(1) There shall be no building on ridgelines which would have a material visual impact on a significant skyline visible from a public vantage point entering the City or within the City.
(2) Building, excavating, filling and vegetation disturbance on hillsides which would have a material visual impact visible from a public vantage point entering the City or within the City shall be minimized.
(3) Preservation of significant landmarks shall be encouraged and protected, where applicable. A significant landmark is one which gives historical and/or cultural importance to the neighborhood and/or community.
(4) Structure location. Design of building sites shall be sensitive to the natural terrain. Structures shall be located in such a way as to minimize grading and to preserve natural features. Careful consideration shall be given to the general orientation of the slope when locating structures.
(5) Development must be compatible with the general scale (height, dimensions, overall mass) of development in vicinity.
(6) Cuts and fills visual mitigation. The visual impact of cuts and fills shall be mitigated by methods approved by the City. This mitigation may include, but is not limited to, the placement of buildings in front of the cuts and/or the placement of retaining walls designed to blend with the surrounding terrain to stabilize the cut. Mitigation shall predominantly be contour grading along with plantings as identified on the approved landscape plan that will stabilize the cut or fill slope and blend with the surrounding vegetation. The use of retaining walls is to be as limited in scope and height as feasible to ensure the visual predominance of vegetation. Contour grading techniques shall be used to provide a natural appearing variety of slope transitions, slope percentage and slope direction in a three-dimensional, undulating pattern similar to existing, adjacent terrain.
(a) Hard edges left by cut and fill operations shall be given a rounded appearance that closely resembles the natural contours of the land.
(b) Manmade slopes adjacent to roadways shall be softened where feasible by sufficient berms, contour grading, and/or landscaping to create visually interesting and pleasing streetscapes.
(7) Cut and fill slopes shall be no greater than 15' each in order to ensure effective screening by vegetation. Cut and fill slopes shall have a minimum 20' setback from the property line to provide for vegetation buffer and screening.
(8) Any activity involving roads or driveways shall ensure compliance with Wallace City Code standards pertaining to Site Development, Excavation Control, and shall conform to the standards for roadway and street construction as adopted by the Idaho Transportation Department in existence at the time of such activity.
(9) Grading, excavation, site development, and roadway standards as well as other applicable building code standards shall be met. All applications for permitting of grading activity shall be submitted with detailed plans including location, an analysis of the environmental impact and plan to address erosion control.
(10) All roads or driveways shall be reviewed and approved by the District Fire Chief in order to ensure fire code minimums are met for safe access and emergency response vehicles.
(11) Any site development involving roads, driveways, grading, or activities done under the Forest Practices Act must conform to these standards for any actual or anticipated use other than forestry.
(12) All development shall have access for fire and other emergency vehicles to within 150 feet of the furthest exterior wall of any building.
(13) International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) and Wallace Fire Department requirements shall be met.
(14) Public water and sewer service shall comply with the requirements of the City.
(15) All utilities shall be underground.
(16) Finish materials, color, and reflectivity. Building materials and colors shall be compatible with the natural setting. The color, material and texture palette shall be reinforced with compatible landscaping. The light reflective value (LRV) of materials used on all exterior walls and roof areas shall be similar to the LRV of the surrounding terrain. Generally, the more visible the structure, the lower its LRV shall typically be.
(a) Nonreflective windows and glass are required.
(b) Exterior lighting shall be minimized and shielded to reduce visibility.
(c) Roofs must be designed to minimize visibility.
1. No metal roofing is permitted.
2. Earth colored shingles required.
3. Roof pitch must be no steeper than a 5/12 pitch.
(17) Drainage shall be controlled and maintained to not adversely affect other properties. Applicant shall submit an erosion control plan, reviewed by an Idaho licensed engineer. Alteration or scarring of drainage must be mitigated.
(18) The clearing of trees, shrubs and other native vegetation shall be limited to the approved locations for streets, driveways, yards and easements; the approved locations for building pads for structures, main buildings and accessory structures; and the minimum distance between structures and surrounding vegetation for established fire prevention and safety standards or recommendations.
(19) Revegetation plan required. Landscaping should consist of low-combustible species (list available at City hall) and must blend with the surrounding area.
(20) No building or development shall exceed 35 feet in height.
(21) Approved outbuildings/garages shall not exceed 600 square feet and shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 2022-06, passed 10-12-2022)