40.240.170    Existing and Discontinued Uses

A.    Except as otherwise provided, existing uses or structures in the Clark County portion of the Scenic Area may continue, so long as it is used in the same manner and for the same purpose.

B.    Replacement of Existing Structures Not Damaged or Destroyed by Disaster.

    Except as provided in Section 40.240.170(C), an existing structure may be replaced if a complete land use application for a replacement structure is submitted to the reviewing agency within one (1) year of the date the use of the original structure was discontinued. The replacement structure shall comply with the following standards:

1.    The replacement structure shall have the same use as the original structure.

2.    The replacement structure may have a different size or location than the original structure. An existing manufactured home may be replaced with a framed residence and an existing framed residence may be replaced with a manufactured home.

3.    The replacement structure shall be subject to:

a.    Scenic, cultural, recreation and natural resources guidelines;

b.    Treaty rights guidelines; and

c.    Land use designations guidelines involving agricultural buffer zones, approval criteria for fire protection, and approval criteria for siting of dwellings on forest land.

4.    The original structure shall be considered discontinued if a complete land use application for a replacement structure is not submitted within the one (1) year time frame.

C.    Replacement of Existing Structures Damaged or Destroyed by Disaster.

    An existing structure damaged or destroyed by fire, flood, landslide or other similar disaster may be replaced if a complete land use application for a replacement structure is submitted to the reviewing agency within two (2) years of the date the original structure was damaged or destroyed. The replacement structure shall comply with the following standards:

1.    The replacement structure shall have the same use as the original structure. An existing manufactured home may be replaced with a framed residence.

2.    The replacement structure shall be in the same location as the original structure. An exception may be granted and the replacement structure may be sited in a different location if all the following conditions exist:

a.    A registered civil engineer, registered geologist, or other qualified and licensed professional hired by the applicant demonstrates the disaster made the original building site physically unsuitable for reconstruction.

b.    The new building site is no more visible from key viewing areas than the original building site. An exception may be granted if a registered civil engineer, registered geologist, or other qualified and licensed professional hired by the applicant demonstrates the subject parcel lacks alternative building sites physically suitable for construction that are no more visible from key viewing areas than the original building site.

c.    The new building site complies with the cultural resources, natural resources, and treaty rights guidelines.

3.    The replacement structure shall be the same size and height as the original structure; provided, that:

a.    The footprint of the replacement structure may be up to ten percent (10%) larger than the footprint of the original structure. The footprint of a structure includes any covered decks and porches, attached garages, and breezeways that share a wall with the structure.

b.    The walls of the replacement structure shall be the same height as the walls of the original structure unless a minor increase is required to comply with standards in the current jurisdictional building code. Height is generally defined as the greatest vertical distance between the lowest finished grade adjoining any exterior wall and the highest point of the roof.

4.    The replacement structure shall only be subject to the following scenic resources standards:

a.    The replacement structure shall comply with the guidelines regarding color and reflectivity in Section 40.240.800. These guidelines shall be applied to achieve the applicable scenic standard (visually subordinate or not visually evident) to the maximum extent practicable.

b.    Decks, verandas, balconies and other open portions of the original structure shall not be rebuilt as enclosed (walls and roof) portions of the replacement structure.

c.    In the GMA, the replacement structure shall comply with the GMA guidelines regarding landscaping in Section 40.240.800. These guidelines shall be applied to achieve the applicable scenic standard (visually subordinate) to the maximum extent practicable.

d.    In the SMA, the replacement structure shall comply with the SMA guidelines regarding landscaping. These guidelines shall be applied to achieve the applicable scenic standard (visually subordinate or not visually evident) to the maximum extent practicable; provided, that:

(1)    Use of plant species appropriate for the area and minimum sizes of new trees needed to achieve the standard (based on average growth rates expected for the recommended species) are required. Examples of native species are identified in the Scenic Resources Implementation Handbook as appropriate to the area.

(2)    The height of any new trees shall not be required to exceed five (5) feet.

(3)    The time frame for achieving the applicable scenic standard (visually subordinate or not visually evident) shall be ten (10) years.

5.    The replacement structure shall be pursuant to Sections 40.240.170(B)(1), (B)(2) and (B)(3) if it would not comply with Sections 40.240.170(C)(2) and (C)(3).

6.    The original structure shall be considered discontinued if a complete land use application for a replacement structure is not submitted within the two (2) year time frame.

(Amended: Ord. 2006-08-21; Ord. 2008-06-02)

D.    Changes to Existing Uses and Structures.

    Except as otherwise provided, any change to an existing use or modification to the exterior of an existing structure shall be subject to review and approval pursuant to this chapter.

1.    Expansion of Existing Commercial and Multifamily Residential Uses. In the Special Management Area, existing commercial and multifamily residential uses may expand as necessary for successful operation on the dedicated site, pursuant to Sections 40.240.800 through 40.240.900 to minimize adverse effects on scenic, cultural, natural and recreation resources. Expansion beyond the dedicated site is prohibited.

2.    Conversion of Existing Industrial Uses. In the GMA, existing industrial uses may convert to less intensive uses. A less intensive use is a commercial, recreation or residential use with fewer adverse effects upon scenic, cultural, natural and recreation resources.

3.    Existing Development or Production of Mineral Resources. In the SMAs, uses involving the exploration, development or production of sand, gravel or rock in the SMAs may continue if both of the following conditions exist:

(a)    The sand, gravel, or crushed rock is used for construction or maintenance of roads used to manage or harvest forest products in the Special Management Areas; and

(b)    A determination by the Forest Service finds that the use does not adversely affect the scenic, cultural, natural or recreation resources.

E.    Discontinuance of Existing Uses and Structures.

    Except as provided in Section 40.240.170(C), any use or structure that is discontinued for one (1) year or more shall not be considered an existing use or structure. Proof of intent to abandon is not required to determine that an existing use or use of an existing structure has been discontinued.

1.    Multiple Uses. An existing use or structure with more than one legally established use may discontinue one of the uses without discontinuing the others.

2.    Change in Use. An existing use or structure shall become discontinued if the use or use of the structure changes.

F.    Discontinued Uses and Structures.

    Re-establishment or replacement of any use or structure that has been discontinued shall be subject to all applicable policies and guidelines in the Management Plan, including, but not limited to, guidelines for land use designations and scenic, cultural, recreation and natural resources.

(Amended: Ord. 2006-05-04; Ord. 2021-12-02)