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The Transitional Hillside Treatment Area is a specially designated portion of land that lies immediately outside of the historic district. The area is partially developed, with many houses constructed in the traditional building forms and alignments of the historic neighborhoods. Although few historic structures can be found here, their overall mass and scale is similar to what was seen historically.

Views of the surrounding mountains are extremely important elements in this treatment area. New infill construction will have a major impact on existing buildings and pattern of development. For this reason, special respect should be given to existing views and the solar access of neighbors.

This area is quite visible from viewpoints lower in the valley floor, and attention should be given to the visual impact of any project upon the perception of open space. These views form the dramatic background for the historic district. Projects that are subtle and low impact are desired.

In some locations, steep slopes present technical construction problems and visual impacts may be especially significant. Innovative site planning and design approaches may be considered in this area. Projects within the Transitional Hillside Treatment Area should balance the visual impacts with traditional building forms that respect the varied topography.

The Transitional Hillside Overlay Area (THO) encompasses hillside areas south of the San Miguel River and coincides with the Accommodations and the River Park Corridor Treatment Areas. This zone becomes the town’s edge, and development should be sensitive to any potential visual impacts that are created. Mitigation of these impacts is important.

Note that specific guidelines/standards noted with THO will be used for the Transitional Hillside Overlay.