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(a) The intent of this Chapter 7 is to allow activities and development to take place where they comply with the provisions of this Land Use Code and with the Pitkin County Comprehensive Plan for the area. Compliance will generally involve avoidance of “Constrained Areas” through the identification of an “Activity Envelope,” as well as approval of a Site Plan. For purposes of Chapter 7, “Constrained Areas” include all areas included in each of the following categories, as defined and regulated by this Land Use Code: (i) Areas of Statewide Interest listed in C.R.S. 24-65.1-101 et. seq.), (ii) steep and potentially unstable slopes, (iii) water courses, drainage channels, and areas subject to erosion, (iv) floodplain hazard areas, (v) geological hazard areas, (vi) severe or low to moderate wildfire hazard areas, (vii) wildlife habitat areas, (viii) river and stream corridors and wetlands (ix) irrigated lands for food or crop production, (x) historic preservation areas, and (xi) archeological resource areas.
(b) The Site Plan process incorporates an “Activity Envelope” approach in which the County staff works with the applicant to determine which portions of the site (if any) would permit the proposed activity or development to be conducted in compliance with this Land Use Code and in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan for the area. In general, this process will involve both a determination of (i) which portions of the site are not available for development because of the existence of Constrained Areas, and (ii) of the remaining portions of the site, which areas would accommodate the activity or development so as to minimize impacts on surrounding properties, maximize compliance with the requirements of the development standards in this Chapter 7, and maximize compliance with the Comprehensive Plan goals and objectives.
(c) In general, the defined Activity Envelope for development of primary uses shall be large enough to accommodate the proposed principal use of the property and traditional permitted accessory structures, infrastructure (roads and septic systems), and uses, but should not be significantly larger than the area needed for such structures. In the case of a site with few Constrained Areas, the defined Activity Envelope may include more than one potential building site for a new single family home. The defined Activity Envelope may include non-contiguous areas (including separate areas for septic fields, landscaping, driveways to public roads, mitigation measures required in connection with any provision of this Chapter 7, and/or areas to be disturbed only during construction on the property – including staging areas and materials storage areas). Construction of trails will not require an Activity Envelope analysis except as required by Sec. 7-20-50.
(d) Clearing, grading or grubbing of two hundred (200) square feet or more in area, earthmoving of fifty (50) cubic yards or greater, or changes in the natural drainage of the site shall occur only after an Activity Envelope has been defined and all applicable local, state and federal permits have been obtained. In addition, Site Plan Approval is required if these activities will occur on a property within a Scenic View Protection Area and the development is not exempt pursuant to Sec. 7-20-120 (c).
(e) Activity Envelope and Site Plan Review for a Stream Restoration Project shall adhere to all development standards in 7-20-40 and 7-20-80 and shall be reviewed by the BOCC as set forth in Table 2-1.
(f) Once an Activity Envelope has been defined, the natural grade, topography, vegetation and drainage of areas outside the defined areas shall not be disturbed except as specifically permitted in this Land Use Code. Prior to any development activity on the parcel, the boundaries of the Activity Envelope shall be identified with construction fencing, and such fencing shall remain in place until development has been completed.
(g) While it is preferable to obtain approval of an Activity Envelope as part of the Site Plan approval process, applicants who are not prepared to submit a Site Plan for a specific structure may request approval of an Activity Envelope separately. Prior to the issuance of a Development Permit, the applicant shall be required to apply for and obtain approval of a Site Plan confirming that the proposed development is consistent with the defined Activity Envelope and with other standards in this Land Use Code not considered at the time the Activity Envelope was defined.
(h) The standards in this Chapter 7 shall be used (i) to identify the Activity Envelope on a property, (ii) to review and approve the Site Plan for proposed development, and (iii) to regulate development within the Activity Envelope pursuant to the Site Plan. Development Standards in this Chapter 7 which are to be reviewed as part of Activity Envelope and Site Plan review are set forth in Table 7-1 below.
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