For the week of June 23, 1999  thru June 29, 1999  

County restricts berms

Ordinance will go to public before becoming permanent

By KEVIN WISER
Express Staff Writer

The Blaine County Commissioners Monday approved an emergency berm ordinance that will regulate the design of berms within the scenic corridor along State Highway 75.

Monday’s action followed a 30-day moratorium on the construction of berms imposed by the board May 26. The moratorium affects property within 300 feet of the centerline of State Highway 75 and north of Glendale Road to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area boundary.

The moratorium halted the construction of new earthen berms exceeding two feet in height and the placement of additional material on existing berms.

The county defines berms as "any mound, hill, ridge, or other landscaping created by the act of man in pushing, dumping or otherwise accumulating soil, fill, rock, or combination thereof above the natural grade of such property."

The emergency berm ordinance requires the review of height, spacing and setbacks of berms along the highway. In addition, the ordinance regulates the planting of trees and the placement of fences on berms and the overall visual effect on view corridors.

In reviewing the berm ordinance, the board set down the following design limitations:

  • No berms can be placed within 10 feet of the highway.

  • The peak of a berm set back 10 to 20 feet from the highway cannot exceed two feet.

  • The peak of a berm set back 20 to 100 feet from the highway cannot exceed four feet in height.

  • The peak of a berm set back 100 to 300 feet from the highway cannot exceed five feet in height.

  • No fences can be built on berms; fences can be built inside of berms only and cannot exceed 42 inches in height. A minimum of 16 inches is required between the ground and the lowest rail.

  • The planting of trees can only occur within the lower sections of undulating berms.

  • No free standing walls can be placed on berms.

Berm committee member Marc McGregor and author of the berm ordinance draft, said that with approval of the ordinance, progress is being made in the regulation of berms.

"Berms have been an issue here for many years," McGregor said.

Monday’s approval of the emergency berm ordinance acted to extend the moratorium for 120 days. During this time, the proposed ordinance will go through the public hearing process required by Idaho Code before it may become permanent.

The berm ordinance is tentatively scheduled to go before the Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commission on July 22.

 
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