8-524 Rockfall Hazard Areas | Telluride Land Use Code

8-524.A. Structures Discouraged. Structural construction associated with residential, commercial, industrial, industrial development and high hazard recreational activity shall be discouraged in Rockfall Hazard Areas.

8-524.B. Uses Permitted. The following uses in addition to open space uses listed in Section 8-510 and other similar uses shall be permitted uses subject to the terms and conditions of this section:

8-524.B.1. Buried utilities;

8-524.B.2. Ditches; and

8-524.B.3. Surface utilities.

8-524.C. Measures Required. Any other development or activity shall not be approved unless adequate engineering construction and design stabilization and maintenance measures are assumed by the applicant as approved in the site plan. Measures shall minimize visual impacts to the community, and may be subject to Town Development Standards. Such measures shall be periodically maintained.

8-524.C.1. Such measures will include and are not limited to:

a. Site and structure-specific quantitative rockfall studies for all new habitable structures, or when Substantial Improvements occur to an existing habitable structure, within Rockfall Hazard Zone A; and

b. Structural and architectural designs based on the findings of the site and structure-specific rockfall studies for all new habitable structures, or when Substantial Improvements occur to an existing habitable structure, in Rockfall Hazard Zone A.

c. Site-specific mitigation measures based on the findings of the site and structure-specific rockfall studies for all new habitable structures, or when Substantial Improvements occur to an existing habitable structure, in Rockfall Hazard Zone A.

8-524.C.2. Measures may include and are not limited to:

a. Site and structure-specific quantitative rockfall studies for all new habitable structures, or when Substantial Improvements occur to an existing habitable structure, within Rockfall Hazard Zone B;

b. Structural and architectural designs based on the findings of the site and structure-specific rockfall studies for all new habitable structures, or when Substantial Improvements occur to an existing habitable structure, within Rockfall Hazard Zone B;

c. Site-specific mitigation measures, based on the findings of the site and structure-specific rockfall studies, for all new habitable structures, or when Substantial Improvements occur to an existing habitable structure within Rockfall Hazard Zone B;

8-524.C.3. Site-specific mitigation measures may include but are not limited to: slowing or diverting moving rocks by rock fences, screening, channeling and dams, or by concrete barriers or covered galleries; installation of physical barriers against rock impact around vulnerable structures; removal of unstable rocks (scaling), cribbing or installation of retaining walls.

8-524.D. Prohibited Practices. Any land use in a Rockfall Hazard Area shall not:

8-524.D.1. Increase water supply to cliffs or overhangs, or remove protective vegetation;

8-524.D.2. Add unnecessary weight or otherwise disturb overhanging strata;

8-524.D.3. Make any excavations that remove underlying support;

8-524.D.4. Increase erosion that removes underlying support; or

8-524.D.5. Increase the hazard to adjoining property or structures.