Rules for building near scenic roads and viewpoints

Purpose. To preserve, maintain and improve visual access and quality from major public thoroughfares or areas of public value and to define criteria and procedures necessary to achieve those ends.Land Included. Scenic corridors shall be as indicated on the General Plan and the Zoning maps and shall include by reference all land and water areas visible from the center line of the corridor or the scenic point, or to a lesser distance as the Planning Director shall determine.Requirements of Development and Structures Within a Scenic Corridor.The Planning Director may require the applicant to furnish graphic or pictorial material sufficient to indicate the nature of the proposed use, development or structure and its relation to the view from that portion of the corridor or point which may be affected.The Planning Director or designee shall ascertain whether the proposed development, structure, or use proposed will block, disrupt, or significantly change the visual accessibility or quality of the scenic corridor.The Planning Director may approve, approve with conditions, or refer the application to the Planning Commission with recommendations. Upon reference, the Planning Commission shall, in such case, approve, with conditions, or deny the permit.The Planning Director and the Planning Commission shall not deny an application if the denial would create undue hardship on the applicant, but shall nevertheless impose constructive and reasonable requirements on the development to protect the scenic quality of the corridor.The Planning Commission may require that visually disruptive or offensive activities, facilities, or structures that are within 300 feet of the public right-of-way be screened from view from the thoroughfare by an acceptable structural or plant screen.