20.1 PURPOSE AND INTENT

The purpose of the Hillside Protection Overlay Zone is to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the Town of Leeds by establishing procedures for the development of sensitive hillsides within the Town. The standards set forth herein are intended to: 1) minimize adverse soils and slope instability; 2) decrease potential erosion; and 3) reduce the adverse affects of grading and cut and fill operations. These procedures are also intended to preserve the natural character of hillsides and encourage development that is in harmony with the aesthetics and character of the Town. 20.1.1. The provisions herein are intended to achieve the following: 20.1.1.1. To preserve the most visually significant slope banks and ridge lines in their natural state by clustering development into meaningful neighborhood units. 20.1.1.2. To encourage the location, design and development of building sites which provide maximum safety and human enjoyment, while adapting the development to the natural terrain. 20.1.1.3. To minimize the effects of grading and ensure that the natural character of the hillside is retained. In addition, to minimize the scarring and erosion affect of cutting, filling, and other development activities on hillsides. 20.1.1.4. To preserve -visually significant rock out-croppings, native plant materials, natural hydrology, and areas of historical or visual significance. 20.1.1.5. To encourage development that is designed to include the natural landscape as a major part of the site, thereby achieving a feeling of continuity throughout the project area. 20.1.1.6. To preserve views of significant visual features as viewed both within the hillside community as well as outside the hillside community. 20.1.1.7. To discourage mass grading of large pads and excessive terracing. 20.1.1.8. To prohibit activities and uses that would result in the degradation of fragile soils and steep slopes. 20.1.1.9. To prevent damage to lower property no cut or fill operations is allowed within twenty (20) feet of the edge of a hillside or within any area where material may slide over the hillside, which ever is the greater distance.