| Part 3 Chapter 5 - Performance Standards for Development Review | Part 3 Chapter 7 Performance Standards for the Crossroads Zoning District |
This chapter presents the performance standards with which all development in the Grasslands Zoning District must comply. Chapter 5 explains how these performance standards work.
VI.A. Annotation. As explained in Chapter 5, there are two types of performance standards: absolute and relative. Absolute performance standards are denoted by an "A" in the type column. They have no importance factor (abbreviated imp). Relative performance standards are denoted by an "R" in the type column and an importance factor ranging from one to five in the importance column. The range of points that may be assigned on each relative performance standard appears in the range column.
| type | imp | range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VI.B. Cienegas. Open space use of wetlands shall be
encouraged. Development rights may be transferred from
wetlands: see VI.II.
EXCEPTION. Approved roads and utility lines may cross wetlands, but only where such crossings are minimized and conditioned upon final approval of any permits required, including permits required by §404 of the Clean Water Act. | A | ---- | |
| VI.C. Riparian Corridors. Those portions of riparian corridors that are also wetlands are subject to both VI.B and this performance standard. | |||
| 1. Perennial Stream Corridors. A 100-foot buffer shall be provided along perennial stream corridors. Development rights may be transferred from stream corridors as provided by VI.II. | A | ---- | |
| 2. Intermittent Stream Corridors. Provision of a 70-foot buffer along intermittent stream corridors shall be encouraged. Development rights may be transferred from stream corridors as provided by VI.II. | R | 5 | -2<>+2 |
|
3. Ephemeral Stream Corridors. Provision of a 50-foot
buffer along ephemeral stream corridors shall be
encouraged. Development rights may be transferred from
stream corridors as provided by VI.II.
EXCEPTION. Approved roads and utility lines may cross riparian corridors, but only where such crossings are minimized and conditioned upon final approval of any permits required, including permits required by §404 of the Clean Water Act. | R | 3 | -2<>+2 |
| VI.D. Flood Hazard Areas. Compliance with Santa Cruz County Ordinance #2001-03, the floodplain ordinance, shall be required. | A | ---- | |
| VI.E. Groundwater Vulnerability. Open space use of groundwater vulnerability areas shall be encouraged. Development rights may be transferred from groundwater vulnerability areas as provided by VI.II. | R | 5 | -2<>+2 |
| VI.F. Slopes. | |||
|
1. 30% Plus. Open space use of slopes of 30% or steeper
shall be encouraged. Development rights may be
transferred from slopes as provided by VI.II.
EXCEPTION: Where it is the only way to provide access or service to an approved development, roads or utility lines may cross slopes of 30% or steeper. Disturbance due to such crossings is limited by VI.F.2. | R | 5 | -2<>+2 |
| 2. Disturbance Limit. Where development, including excepted roads or utility lines, is permitted on slopes of 30% or steeper, disturbance shall be limited to 5% of the slope affected where the soil survey rates the erosion hazard as moderate and 1% of the slope affected where it rates the erosion hazard as severe. | A | ---- | |
| 3. 15-30%. Open space use of slopes of 15-30% shall be encouraged. Development rights may be transferred from slopes as provided by VI.II. | R | 3 | -2<>+2 |
| 4. Disturbance Limit. Where development is permitted on slopes of 15-30%, disturbance shall be limited to 20% of the slope affected where the soil survey rates the erosion hazard as moderate and 10% of the slope affected where it rates the erosion hazard as severe. | A | ---- | |
| VI.G. Runoff and Erosion. Developments that may reasonably be expected to result in the disturbance of more than one acre of slopes exceeding eight percent or the creation of 20,000 square feet or more of impervious surface shall be required to submit a runoff and erosion control plan that complies with the detailed performance standards ofAppendix L. | A | ---- | |
| VI.H. Wildfire Hazards SEESI review of developments, as required by VI.DD, shall include consideration of wildfire hazards. Development approval may be conditioned on the maintenance of defensible space and other measures that reduce or mitigate wildfire hazards. | A | ---- | |
| VI.I. Wildlife Habitat. New fencing shall be wildlife-friendly. The bottom wire in a wildlife-friendly fence is a smooth strand that has an average clearance above the ground of at least 18 inches. EXCEPTION: fences surrounding gardens and small livestock pens need not be wildlife friendly. | A | ---- | |
| VI.J. Native Vegetation. Use of native vegetation in mixtures similar to native plant communities in runoff and erosion control work, site reclamation, or landscaping required for compliance with this code shall be encouraged. | R | 2 | -2<>+2 |
| VI.K. Scenic Resources. | |||
| 1. Ridgelines. Structures should be sited and designed so they will not be silhouetted (skylining) against the sky. | R | 2 | -2<>+2 |
|
2. Scenic Slopes. Development on slopes over 15% that
are visible from a designated scenic highway shall be
discouraged. Development rights may be transferred from
such slopes as provided by VI.II.
The performance standards that would be required to fully implement the Comprehensive Plan for NE Santa Cruz County if Arizona law changes are left in this draft for informational purposes only. They appear in a contrasting font, as below. | R | 2 | -2<>+2 |
Open Space Framework. Development within the open space framework shall be discouraged. Development rights may be transferred outside the open space framework as provided by VI.II. | R | 5 | -2<>+2 |
| VI.L. Night Sky. Outdoor lighting shall comply with the detailed performance standards of Appendix M. | A | ---- | |
| Performance Standards Promoting Land Use Compatibility | |||
| VI.M. Glare/Heat. No development shall direct hazardous glare or heat beyond its property line. Welding equipment and similar sources of intense glare or heat shall be shielded from neighboring properties and public ways by enclosure in a building, location on the site, or an opaque fence or wall. EXCEPTION: This performance standard applies to glare or heat generated by the occupancy or operation of a development. It is not intended to prevent the temporary use of portable welding equipment for construction or repair. | A | ---- | |
|
VI.N. Noise. No development shall create excessive levels of noise
beyond its property line. Excessive noise, as measured at the
property line of the receiving use, exceeds the standards of
Table VI.1. This performance standard applies to sounds
generated by the occupancy or operation of a development,
including sound generated by the operation of motor vehicles
and heavy equipment on a site. It does not apply to movement
of motor vehicles on public roads, operation of farm
machinery, or other sources of noise that are not attributable
to a development.
EXCEPTION: The maximum sound levels of Table VI.1. may be exceeded by construction, repair, and maintenance activities, and by holiday celebrations, but excessive noise generated by these activities is restricted to the hours between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM. There are no exceptions allowed from 10:00AM to 7:00AM. | A | ---- | |
| Receiving Use | Maximum Sound Level | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| residential, agricultural | 60 dBA, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM 50 dBA, 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM | ||
| commercial, industrial | 70 dBA, any time | ||
| type | imp | range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VI.O. Solid Waste. | |||
| 1. Solid waste shall be stored in an enclosed building or in covered containers and handled in a way that does not attract rodents, flies, or other animals; generate odors perceptible beyond the property line or liquid runoff; or permit blowing of paper and other lightweight waste. | A | ---- | |
| 2. Solid waste handling and storage areas serving institutional uses, home businesses, and high density residential uses shall be effectively screened from public view by enclosure in a building, location on the site, or an opaque fence or wall. | A | ---- | |
| VI.P. HazMat. Compliance with state and federal requirements for the storage and handling of hazardous substances, materials, or wastes shall be required. | A | ---- | |
| VI.Q. Animals on Residential Premises. | |||
| 1. Barns, corrals, and stables on residential lots shall be at least 75 feet from neighboring property lines. | A | ---- | |
| 2. A minimum parcel size of 180,000 square feet shall be required for the keeping of farm animals. As many as eight farm animals may be kept on a parcel of that size. One additional farm animal may be kept for each additional 18,000 square feet of parcel area. A minimum of 400 square feet of fenced corral shall be provided for each farm animal. Corrals must comply with the setback requirement of VI.Q.1. | A | ---- | |
| 3. The keeping of small animals shall be permitted on all residential parcels, but no more than 10 per acre. | A | ---- | |
| 4. The keeping of farm or small animals shall be permitted only where the dust, odors, and liquid runoff generated are confined to the parcel. | A | ---- | |
| VI. R. Specification Standards. | |||
| 1. Building heights shall be limited to 35 feet. | A | ---- | |
| 2. Building setbacks shall be as shown in Figure VI.1. On curvilinear lots, the setback shall be measured at the point where the building is nearest the property line. | A | ---- | |
| VI.S. Signs. Signs shall comply with the detailed performance standards of Appendix K. | A | ---- | |
| VI.T. Home Businesses. Home businesses shall comply with The detailed performance standards of Appendix N. | A | ---- | |
| Performance Standards Ensuring Adequate Provision of Public Facilities and Services | |||
| VI.U. Water Supply. | |||
| 1. A safe, sufficient water supply shall be available. Compliance shall be demonstrated via submission of evidence regarding the quantity of water available, the quality of that water, and the developer's or subsequent lot purchaser's legal right to appropriate it. | A | ---- | |
| 2. Provision of a central water supply system that meets state design, construction, and operating requirements shall be encouraged. Compliance may be attained via connection to an existing central water supply system that meets state design and construction requirements and is operating in compliance with state monitoring requirements. This performance standard has an importance factor of 5 where the average lot size is less than five acres, and an importance factor of 2 where the average lot size is more than five acres. | R | 5/2 | 0<>+2 |
| VI.V. Fire Fighting Water Supply . Provision of a water supply that meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1231, Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting, shall be encouraged. | R | 2 | -2<>+2 |
| VI.W. Sewerage. | |||
| 1. On-site sewage disposal systems shall be sited, designed, and constructed in compliance with county and state standards, as enforced by the Santa Cruz County Health Department. | A | ---- | |
| 2. Provision of cluster or community sewerage systems to facilitate open space development patterns shall be encouraged. Such systems shall be designed, constructed, and operated in compliance with state and federal requirements. | R | 5 | 0<>+2 |
| VI.X. Private Utilities. Private utilities include power and telephone service. | |||
| 1. Adequate rights-of-way or easements for service by private utilities shall be required. A written statement of compliance with this performance standard shall be obtained from each utility. | A | ---- | |
| 2. Written certification that capacity to serve the proposed development is available shall be obtained from the proposed private utilities. | A | ---- | |
| 3. Power and telephone utilities in subdivisions or other multiple occupancy developments shall be underground. Underground utilities shall be provided to each lot before road surfaces are constructed. | A | ---- | |
| VI.Y. Construction in Easements. No structure shall be placed in a utility easement, public or private, except with written permission of the utility. Wire or rail fences, or solid wood fences with a removable section across the easement may be constructed across easement, with permission of the utility. | A | ---- | |
| VI.Z. Off-Street Parking and Loading. | |||
| 1. Off-street parking and loading areas shall be provided as required by Appendix O. | A | ---- | |
| 2. Providing more parking spaces than required by Appendix O shall be discouraged. | R | 3 | -2<>0 |
| 3. Parking areas containing more than 24 spaces should be broken into smaller "cells" separated by landscaped areas or open space areas, pedestrian ways, or buildings. | R | 5 | -2<>+2 |
| 4. Devoting at least 10% of the interior of any parking area containing more than 24 spaces to landscaping shall be encouraged. Landscaping shall comply with the detailed performance standards of Appendix P. | R | 5 | -2<>+2 |
| VI.AA. Safe Access. | |||
| 1. Points of access to public highways shall be constructed in compliance with the standards of Appendix O and Santa Cruz County Ordinance #1999-3. | A | ---- | |
| 2. Developments with points of access to a state highway shall obtain approval for those points of access from the Arizona Department of Transportation. | A | ---- | |
| 3. The number of points of access to arterial highways should be minimized. | R | 4 | 2<>+2 |
| 4. Developments containing 16 or more dwellings, or with a distance of more than 1,320 feet from a public road that is maintained on a year round basis are encouraged to provide at least two points of ingress and egress from the public road or highway serving the development. Loop systems that return to a single point of access to the public road or highway may be acceptable for developments with 1,000 or less projected average daily traffic generation. | R | 3 | -2<>+2 |
| VI.BB. Roads. There shall be safe all-weather road access to all developments and all lots in all developments. The design and construction of roads shall be in compliance with Santa Cruz County Ordinance #1999-3. The naming and numbering of roads shall be in accordance with the Santa Cruz Ordinance that supersedes Ordinance #89-1. | A | ---- | |
| VI.CC. Access to Public Lands. | |||
| 1. Maintaining historically existing public access through private lands to roads and trailheads on public lands shall be encouraged. | R | 4 | -2<>+2 |
| 2. Provision of additional or secure public access to public lands shall be encouraged. The access provided must be consistent with the managing agency's plan for the adjoin- ing public lands and may be limited to foot travel only. | R | 5 | 0<>+2 |
| VI.DD. Fire Protection-Emergency Medical Services. Applications for permits shall be referred to Sonoita-Elgin Emergency Services, Inc. (SEESI) for review and comment. If comments are not received before or at the scheduled hearing, it shall be assumed that SEESI had none. Comments from SEESI shall be considered in determining the proposed development's compliance with this ordinance, including specifically VI.H, V and EE. | A | ---- | |
VI.EE. Large-Scale Development. A large-scale development
is a residential or mixed-use project, or a series of adjacent or
related residential or mixed-use projects, that will contain 20
or more residential lots or units, or a commercial, industrial,
or mixed-use project, or series of adjacent or related
commercial, industrial, or mixed-use projects, that will contain
more than 5,000 square feet of commercial or industrial space.
Large-scale developments shall provide, or make a fair,
proportional contribution to the provision of, any new public
facilities or improvements to existing public facilities
necessitated by their development. Such facilities shall be
provided in compliance with this ordinance and may include:
off-site runoff and erosion control measures; public or fire-
fighting water supplies; community sewerage systems; off-
site road improvements, including deceleration or acceleration
lanes, left turn lanes, signs or signals, and bridges or culverts;
solid waste transfer stations; emergency services buildings
and apparatus, including fire engines and ambulances;
neighborhood parks; and school sites or buildings.
Compliance with this performance standard shall be based
on a large-scale development study, which shall be conducted
as follows:
| A | ---- | |
| Plat Amendments | |||
| VI.FF. Plat Amendments. | |||
| 1. All lots resulting from a proposed plat amendment shall be capable of accommodating a use permitted by this ordinance, | A | ---- | |
| 2. No plat amendment shall adversely affect road or utilities access to any adjoining lot or parcel. | A | ---- | |
| Development Patterns | |||
| The performance standards that would be required to fully implement the Comprehensive Plan for NE Santa Cruz County if Arizona law changes are left in this draft for informational purposes only. They appear in a contrasting font, as below. | |||
| Development Pattern: Open Space Framework. | |||
|
Patterns. Development in the open space framework shall consist of very large lots (average 40+ acres) or an open space development pattern in which at least 60% of the site remains in undivided open space. | A | ---- | |
|
Open Space Development Encouraged. Use of open space development patterns shall be encouraged, but only where the undivided open space provided clearly complies with two of the three criteria listed in Table VI.2. Assign +1 points where 60-70% undivided open space is provided. Assign +2 points where more than 70% of the parcel is in undivided open space. | R | 4 | 0<>+2 |
| VI.GG. Open Space Development Encouraged. Open space developments patterns in which at least 40% of the site remains in undivided open space shall be encouraged. The undivided open space provided must clearly comply with two of the three criteria listed in Table VI.2. Assign +1 points where 40-60% undivided open space is provided. Assign +2 points where more than 60% of the parcel is in undivided open space. | R | 4 | 0<>+2 |
|
Basic Permitted Density. This code is designed to ensure that the density of development varies in response to the natural capability of the site, the potential impacts of the development on neighboring uses, infrastructure capacity, the character of the area, and the quality of the development. The first step in calculating the density permitted is to determine compliance with the performance standards of this chapter. A development that complies with all absolute performance standards and has a cumulative score of at least "0" on the relative performance standards shall be permitted a basic density of an average of one dwelling unit per 24 acres.
VI.HH. Basic Permitted Density. A development that complies with all absolute performance standards and has a cumulative score of at least "0" on the relative performance standards shall be permitted the same basic density it was permitted by Santa Cruz County Zoning and Development Code on the effective date of this ordinance. That basic density shall, however, be treated as an average density rather than a minimum lot size. This means that a 40-acre parcel zoned GR no longer need be divided into 9 lots of at least 180,000 square feet each. The developer may now use the nine development rights assigned by the previous zoning to develop in any pattern that complies with the performance standards of this ordinance. Development rights may also be voluntarily transferred in order to protect open space, as permitted by VI.II.
EXCEPTION: Note the exemption for certain nonconforming lots found at I.E.3.
The performance standards that would be required to fully implement the Comprehensive Plan for NE Santa Cruz County if Arizona law changes are left in in this draft for information purposes only. They appear in contrasting font, as below.
Density Incentives. This code encourages development that helps protect natural resources and open space, is compatible with neighboring uses, and does not unduly burden a limited infrastructure. The basic permitted density may be increased for developments that help the community achieve these goals, rather than merely complying with the minimum requirements of this code.
II. Transfer of Development Rights. Development rights may be transferred from sensitive lands and added to the basic permitted density of developments that have both a positive score on VI.GG and a positive cumulative score. One unit may be transferred in for each positive point.
| Part 3 Chapter 5 - Performance Standards for Development Review | Part 3 Chapter 7 Performance Standards for the Crossroads Zoning District |
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