"Subdivisions should be designed as if conservation matters."
--Randall Arendt

Vision: Design development to complement the environment, existing neighborhoods, and the historic nature of the County.

The quality of life enjoyed by Summit County residents can in many ways be attributed to our amazing natural mountain setting.  As growth continues to occur in the County, the type of development that occurs can have a direct impact on our quality of life.  Appropriately placed and designed buildings can complement the natural environment and essentially serve as extension to the natural landscape.  However, inappropriately designed development can detract from the area’s overall character.  It is the goal of this element to encourage types of development design that fit with the natural landscape.  It is not the intent of this element to dictate to minute detail the type of design that should be used.  In fact, there are many types of architectural and site design styles that can complement our surroundings.

The County is blessed with many highly scenic visual resources.  High mountain peaks are the most obvious of these visual resources, but they also include many other features such as open meadows, riparian corridors, wetland areas and forested areas.  Development will inevitably occur within some of these areas.  However, the way that development is placed in these areas can have a profound effect on the visual landscape.  For example, tucking residential homesites into trees at the edge of a meadow can preserve the view of the meadow.  Keeping building heights below the forest canopy and using materials that blend with the forest can help maintain the visual dominance of the forest.  This element attempts to guide the appropriate placement of development so that the natural landscape continues to be the dominant view.

When one reviews the policies of this Plan, the emphasis on avoiding impacts to open meadows, environmentally sensitive areas, forested areas, etc. may beg the question of what locations are appropriate for development.  The intent of this element is to focus development in areas where it is screened.  Thus, forested areas are looked upon as a favorable location for development, provided development is located in a manner that protects the overall visual character of the forest and avoids adverse environmental impacts.

Countywide Design Program

Recognizing the importance of good design in future development, the County embarked in 2000 on a process to develop design standards and guidelines.  A prominent consultant was hired to lead the effort, and a Countywide Design Advisory Group was formed.  By the end of 2001 the Group had reached consensus on draft design standards and guidelines which the County should use in future development review.  None of these standards and guidelines have yet been adopted by the County, although a number of the proposed standards are being packaged into an amendment to the Land Use and Development Code expected to occur in 2003.  When fully implemented, these standards and guidelines will provide further guidance for the character of development in the County.  Some of the policies in this element are based on recommendations from the draft standards and guidelines.

Buildings have a tremendous impact on the environment--both during construction and through their operation.  Considering ways to reduce the pressures or impacts resulting from new construction and existing structures can help protect our environment.  A pragmatic means to address this is through incorporating green standards into new developments and remodels.  Green standards refer to building design, construction strategies and maintenance techniques that reduce environmental impacts by incorporating energy efficiency, water conservation, water minimization, pollution prevention, resource-efficient materials and indoor environmental quality in all phases of a building’s life. 

In simple terms the concept of 'green' design means to design, construct and maintain a building in such a way that it will minimize impacts on its environment throughout its life.  Green built structures aim to incorporate resource conservation techniques.  There are many benefits that stem from homes built to more stringent energy, water, and resource-efficiency standards.  Some of these benefits include reduced energy consumption, protection of ecosystems and improved occupant health.  Promoting green buildings helps achieve sustainable and efficient use of resources in design, use of materials, siting and land use. 

There are many aspects of green design for designers and builders to consider.  Deciding which measures are most important is not easy as green design priorities change, can be subjective and driven by local, state or federal incentives.  The following lists some of the environmental values of green design:

·         Minimizes impacts to the environment.

·         Promotes environmentally responsible practices in construction.

·         Conserves and safeguards water and energy.

·         Reduces material use and selects low-impact materials.

·         Provides greater efficiency and maximizes longevity.

·         Reduces resource depletion and pollution.

·         Protects indoor air quality.

·         Improves site planning.

The BigHorn Improvement Center in the Town of Silverthorne is an example of a locally green built structure that incorporates green design concepts and eco-friendly amenities.  The Center has won awards for sustainability as it incorporates and uses recycled materials and energy-saving methods (e.g., clerestroy windows, skylights, photovolataics and solar walls).  A green design program available through the County’s Building Department was E-Star (Energy Rated Homes of Colorado).  The program was available to developers and contractors for approximately 10-years and was never utilized.  The discontinued program offered discounts to building permit fees for constructing to a minimum level of energy efficiency and using ecologically friendly materials.

Goals, Policies/Actions

Goal A.          Visually important lands should be preserved and the rural mountain landscapes of the County should be maintained.

Policy/Action 1.  Basin master plans should identify and prioritize visually important lands.  The following criteria should be used when identifying these lands:

1.1        Lands that provide visual separation between communities.

1.2   Lands that are visually prominent (e.g., hillsides, open meadows) as viewed from key public places (e.g., major arterials and highways, parks and public open space areas).

1.1     Amend the Land Use and Development Code to, where appropriate, incorporate the specific recommendations of the Draft Summit County Design Standards and Guidelines.

1.2     Develop architectural design standards which promote a sense of place and community without mandating a monotonous style or inhibiting innovative design .

1.3     Encourage innovative design and non-repetitive architecture to avoid excessive similarity in building design, while still promoting architecture appropriate to the setting.

1.1         When possible, buildings should be located behind landforms, berms, or along forest edges to provide maximum screening.

1.2         Buildings that must be located in open areas should be clustered, designed and intensely landscaped to blend into their surroundings to the maximum extent possible.

1.1.    To the extent practical, develop a viable green building rating system(s) to encourage utilization of green and energy efficient building practices (e.g., Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

1.2         Develop a ‘Built Green’ checklist and standards to further support a common message to the consumer and the building community about energy, water and durable products.

5.1    Educate the home buying public how homes built to green standards may be more affordable, due to lower operating cost and higher performance, and may also offer home buyers greater comfort, reduced maintenance cost and higher resale value.

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