ensure solar potential to the extent possible. Developers shall be encouraged to <br />investigate techniques other than grid-type division of land when planning for <br />development. <br />Finding: As summarized in the Staff Report, and as depicted on the applicant's site plans, the <br />site contains steep topography with slopes in excess of 40% along the eastern half of the <br />property. To minimize impacts to existing features, the proposed private road (Cupola Drive) has <br />been located along an existing graded vehicular accessway, and most of the lots are either <br />clustered around this street or around existing Capital Drive. The proposed lot configuration is <br />not a grid-type division of land, which is appropriate and encouraged by this policy, given the <br />topography of the site and the development of surrounding properties. As discussed below, the <br />proposed PUD is exempt from the solar lot standards. The steepest slopes along the eastern <br />portion of the site have mainly been preserved through common open space (Tract A) and <br />individual preservation areas for all lots that border Tract A. These combined preservation areas <br />equal approximately 4.54 acres and will preserve approximately 33% of the entire site. <br />Policy 6: The Laurel Hill Plan supports the South Hills Study Standards. In general, <br />alteration of land contours shall by minimized to retain views of natural features and <br />retain as much of the forested atmosphere as possible. Aside from purely aesthetic <br />considerations, these hillsides demand care in development because the topsoil is thin <br />and the water runoff is rapid. Proposed developments shall respect the above <br />considerations. The Valley hillside policy applies to all land with an average slope, from <br />toe to crest, of 15% or greater. (A 15-percent slope is one in which the land rises l5 feet <br />per 100 horizontal feet). <br />a. If, in the opinion of the responsible City official, an adverse conservation or <br />geological condition exists upon a parcel of land proposed for a subdivision, or <br />before any major hillside clearing, excavation, filling or construction is <br />contemplated, the requirements of the Uniform Building Code, Chapter 70, <br />Excavation and Grading, and those sections of the code relative to foundation design <br />may be invoked. <br />b. Considerable latitude shall be allowed the developer in the shaping, depth, and <br />required street frontages of lots where it is necessary to preserve the terrain. <br />Finding: The findings above demonstrate compliance with the South Hills Study Standards as <br />they apply to the subject property. Those findings also establish compliance with this Laurel Hill <br />Plan policy. <br />The Response Committee argues that the applicant's Tree Preservation Plan proposes extensive <br />tree removal and fails to adequately protect the existing trees on the site, in violation of this <br />Policy. Compliance with the applicant's Tree Preservation Plan, and conditions related to tree <br />preservation are addressed under EC 8320(4) below. <br />Transportation <br />Policy 1. No arterial or limited access road will be allowed within the boundaries of the <br />Valley which would connect the Glenwood interchange on Interstate 5 to 30th Avenue or <br />Spring Boulevard. <br />Hearings Official Decision (PDT 17-1) 29 <br />