§ 30.52.080. Design Review.

Unless otherwise exempted by this Chapter, no building, improvement, structure, or portion thereof shall be erected, constructed, converted, established, altered, or enlarged; nor shall any lot or premises be excavated or graded for any purpose including, but not limited to, in-ground structures such as swimming pools or spas, or cleared of vegetation, until a Design Review Permit is first obtained in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Code. In addition to the standards of the Design Review Ordinance (DMMC Chapter 23.08) and of the underlying zone, said Design Review Permit shall be reviewed by the Design Review Board under the following standards:

A.

In order to preserve view sheds and the open space appearance of the area from a distance, structures shall be designed to be subservient to the natural landforms on the site. In addition, no structure shall exceed a height of 14 feet as measured pursuant to the provisions of this Code, unless the Design Review Board finds that scenic view sheds and open space appearance will be less affected by higher structures.

B.

Construction, irrigation, and landscaping shall be designed to ensure that they will harmonize with the natural as well as the man-made environment and to ensure that the protection of the natural landforms and vegetation takes precedence over architectural values.

C.

No primary scenic views or scenic views from public streets, roads or pedestrian trails shall be obstructed, unless the Design Review Board finds that there is no feasible alternative siting which eliminates or significantly reduces the obstruction, and that the bulk and scale of the proposed structure have been minimized to the greatest extent feasible commensurate with preserving the physical characteristics of the site.