§ 6.1011. Purpose.

The purpose of the ESL District is to identify and protect environmentally sensitive lands in the city and to promote the public health, safety and welfare by providing appropriate and reasonable controls for the development of such lands. Specifically, the ESL District is intended to:

A.

Protect people and property from hazardous conditions characteristic of environmentally sensitive lands and their development. Such hazards include rockfalls, rolling boulders, other unstable slopes, flooding, flood-related mud slides, subsidence, erosion, and sedimentation.

B.

Protect and preserve significant natural and visual resources. Such resources include, but are not limited to, major boulder outcrops and large boulders, major ridges and peaks, prime wildlife habitat and corridors, unique vegetation specimens, significant washes, and significant riparian habitats.

C.

Protect renewable and nonrenewable resources such as water quality, air quality, soils, and natural vegetation from incompatible land uses.

D.

Minimize the costs of providing public services and facilities in ESL District areas such as streets, water, sewer, emergency services, sanitation services, parks, and recreation. Costs associated with the design and development of infrastructure in environmentally sensitive areas can be higher than costs in other areas of the city due to the unique and fragile nature of such lands.

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E.

Conserve the character of the natural desert. Guide the location and distribution of meaningful on-lot and common tract open space and protect sensitive environmental features to sustain the unique desert character found in ESL District areas.

Figure 6.1011.A.

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F.

Recognize and conserve the economic, educational, recreational, historic, archaeological, and other cultural assets of the environment that provide amenities and services for residents and visitors.

G.

Assure that decisions regarding development in environmentally sensitive areas are based on complete and accurate information about the environmental conditions including drainage features and probable development impacts.

H.

Minimize the impacts of development by controlling the location, intensity, pattern, design, construction techniques, and materials of development and construction.

I.

Retain the visual character of the natural landscape to the greatest extent feasible by regulating building mass, location, colors, and materials; grading location, design and treatment; and landscaping design and materials.

J.

Maintain significant open spaces which provide view corridors, buffers, protect landmarks and large boulders, and prime wash habitats, by preserving these features in their natural state to maintain the city's unique desert setting.

K.

Protect environmentally sensitive lands, while also recognizing the legitimate expectations of property owners and the city's overall economic goals.

L.

Encourage innovative planning, design, and construction techniques for development in environmentally sensitive areas.

(Ord. No. 2305, 1, 2-19-91; Ord. No. 3395, § 1, 12-11-01; Ord. No. 3501, § 1, 4-1-03; Ord. No. 3540, § 1(Exh. 1), 4-20-04; Ord. No. 4005, § 1(Res. No. 8947, Exh. A, § 181), 4-3-12; Ord. No. 4143, § 1(Res. No. 9678, Exh. A, § 147), 5-6-14)