(1) Visual. To maintain visual aspects of rural character, the post-development view of the site from adjacent roads shall resemble the pre-development view or include vegetative screening and architectural design measures to mitigate visual impacts. This includes incorporating existing landscape features such as vegetation, resource-based activities, and existing rural structures into the site design as much as is practical. The applicant shall propose and explain what architectural elements shall be incorporated into new buildings as part of demonstrating that the post-development view will be rural in character. Where visual screening is required, the view could be obscured by topography, retention of existing vegetation or structures, or by a proposed 20-foot wide Type A landscape buffer meeting the standards in SCC 30.25.017 placed in a location to create a filtered screen between the road and new buildings. An applicant may propose an alternative method of screening for review by the department and approval by the hearing examiner under SCC 30.25.040.

(2) Open Spaces. Natural areas, critical areas, and resource-based activities shall be protected in open space tracts. The shape of such tracts shall promote protection of critical areas and habitat or support the long-term use as resource land. Open space tracts may also be used for other purposes described in SCC 30.41H.080(1) and (2). (Added by Ord. 23-051, June 14, 2023, Eff date June 26, 2023).