The intent of the Scenic Resources Overlay District is to provide development standards that will protect, preserve, and enhance the aesthetic resources of the City. Design considerations can be incorporated in many instances to allow development to coexist and not substantially interfere with the preservation of unique natural resources, roadside view, and scenic corridors of such natural resources. It is also the intent of the Scenic Resources Overlay District to implement State and Federal programs and regulations regarding scenic highway routes.
The Scenic Resources Overlay District may be applied to the following areas.
(a)
Areas with unique views of the City’s mountain, and valley areas or any other aesthetic natural land formations.
(b)
An area extending 200 feet on both sides of the ultimate road right-of-way of State, County and City-designated Scenic Highways as set forth in the County of San Bernardino’s and the City of Yucaipa’s General Plan; the area covered may vary to reflect the changing topography and vegetation along the right-of-way.
(c)
The Scenic Resources Overlay District shall be designated by the symbol (SR) on the City of Yucaipa Official Land Use Plan.
When a land use is proposed within an (SR) Overlay, the following criteria shall be used to evaluate the project compliance with the intent of the overlay.
(a)
Building and structure placement. The building and structure placement should be compatible with and should not detract from the visual setting, nor should it obstruct significant views.
(b)
Review area. Intensive land development proposals including, but not limited to, residential facilities, commercial activities, and mobilehome parks shall be designed to blend into the natural landscape and maximize visual attributes of the natural vegetation and terrain. The design of said development proposals shall also provide for maintenance of a natural open space parallel to and visible from the right-of-way.
(c)
Access drives. Right-of-way access drives should be minimized. Developments involving concentrations of commercial activities should be designed to function as an integral unit, with common parking and right-of-way access drives.
(d)
Landscaping. The removal of native vegetation, especially timber, shall be minimized. Replacement vegetation and landscaping shall be compatible with the local environment and, where practicable, capable of surviving with a minimum of maintenance and supplemental water. Landscaping and plantings should not obstruct significant views, either when installed or when they reach mature growth.
(e)
Roads, pedestrian walkways, parking, and storage areas. Any large-scale development should restrict the number of access points by providing common access roads. Parking and outside storage areas should be screened from view to the maximum extent feasible from either the Scenic Highway or the adjacent scenic or recreational resource by existing topography, by the placement of buildings and structures, or by landscaping and plantings which are compatible with the local environment and, where practicable, are capable of surviving with a minimum of maintenance and supplemental water.
(f)
Above-ground utilities. Utilities shall be constructed and routed underground except in those situations where natural features prevent the underground siting or where safety considerations necessitate above-ground construction and routing. Above-ground utilities shall be constructed and routed to minimize detrimental effects on the visual setting of the designated area. Where it is practical, above-ground utilities shall be screened from view from either the Scenic Highway or the adjacent scenic or recreational resource by existing topography, or by the placement of buildings and structures.
(g)
Grading. The alteration of the natural topography of the site shall be minimized and shall avoid detrimental effects to the visual setting of the designated area and the existing natural drainage system. Alterations of the natural topography should be screened from view from either the scenic highway or the adjacent scenic or recreational resource by landscaping and plantings which harmonize with the natural landscape of the designated area, and which are capable of surviving with a minimum of maintenance and supplemental water.
(h)
Timber harvesting within or adjacent to the right-of-way shall be limited to that which is necessary to maintain and enhance the quality of the forest.
(i)
Storage area. Outside storage areas associated with commercial activities shall be completely screened from view of the right-of-way with landscaping and plantings which are compatible with the local environment and are capable of surviving with a minimum of maintenance and supplemental water.
(j)
Primary freestanding signs greater than 18 square feet are prohibited in the Scenic Resources Overlay District.