9-2-4-2: DESIGN COMPATIBLE WITH NATURAL FEATURES:
A. The design of every subdivision shall be compatible with the existing topography, drainage patterns, and other natural features on the site.
B. The design of the subdivision should, wherever possible, lower all maintenance costs both public and private through a self-maintainable ecological system, to conserve materials, construction labor, construction equipment, land and environmental values; to balance construction costs, amortization costs, operating costs, maintenance costs and replacement costs, thereby minimizing total average annual costs.
C. The design of every subdivision shall make adequate provision for the use and maintenance of open space.
D. Every subdivision shall strive to conserve existing features which add value or are of benefit to the development or the town as a whole, such as trees, watercourses, ridgelines and hillsides visible from an area of concern, historic sites, and similar irreplaceable assets.
1. No trees shall be removed from any subdivision nor any change of grade of the land affected until approval of the plan has been granted, the plat filed, and the town engineer has issued engineering permits per title 10 of this Code, except in those instances where approval to remove trees has been granted pursuant to the requirements of the town's development code prior to filing of the plat. All trees on the plan required to be retained shall be preserved and all trees where required shall be welled and protected against change of grade. All disturbed areas shall be revegetated with native ground cover.
2. Every subdivision shall strive to preserve the existing natural landscape character of the site to the extent reasonable and feasible. The subdivider shall use best faith effort to preserve significant healthy trees. In determining which trees to preserve, consideration shall be given to preserving those which exhibit the following characteristics:
a. Are significant specimen trees;
b. Complement the project design including the enhancement of the future architecture and streetscape appearance;
c. Can tolerate environmental changes to be caused by development; i.e., increased sunlight, heat, wind, snow loading and alteration of water regime;
d. Have strong branching and rooting patterns;
e. Are free of disease and insect infestation;
f. Complement or do not conflict with storm water practices;
g. Exist in natural groupings including island of trees, or are significant singular trees;
h. Do not conflict with necessary utility, roadway or sidewalk patterns;
i. Help screen the visibility of existing and proposed development, including roadways, when viewed from an area of concern.
Where trees and other vegetation have been removed for the construction of the subdivision including roads, retaining walls, utilities, and other necessary improvements, the subdivider shall implement a landscaping and revegetation plan based on the standards for landscaping established in section 9-1-19-22 of this title. (Ord. 40, Series 2006)
3. In addition to the landscaping required above, the subdivider of land shall provide one tree having a minimum trunk diameter (measured 6 inches above ground level) of not less than two inches (2") for deciduous trees or having a minimum height of six feet (6') for evergreen trees suitable for the Breckenridge climate for every fifteen (15) linear feet of roadway platted within or immediately adjacent to the subdivision. It is further encouraged that landscaping be placed on the downhill side of any retaining structures to screen the visibility of the road cut when viewed from off site. Where cut and fill slopes are used, they shall be revegetated with native plant materials to reestablish ground cover and reduce the potential for soil erosion. (Ord. 1, Series 2019)
E. No cut trees, timber, debris, junk, rubbish or other waste materials of any kind shall be buried in any lot or left or deposited on any lot, street, or other area within the subdivision. Removal of same from the lot shall be required prior to issuance of any certificate of occupancy for a structure on that lot. No such material shall be left or deposited in any area of the subdivision at the time of dedication of public improvements.
F. The design of every subdivision shall take into account the need to provide adequate firefighting capabilities and shall strive to lessen fire danger through design and mitigation measures. (Ord. 23, Series 1992; amd. Ord. 3, Series 2022)