This environmental standards section applies to the following zoning districts:

(a) Steep Slopes.
(1) Applicability. This section shall apply to all land-disturbing activities on properties that contain steep or excessive slopes.
(2) Slope Measurement. For the purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the percent slope shall be calculated by dividing the number of feet of elevation change in any fifty-foot horizontal distance by fifty feet, then multiply by one hundred to acquire a percent figure.
(3) Easements. All slope areas required to be preserved subject to this section shall be placed within conservation easements pursuant to the standards of Chapter 20.07, Design Standards.
(4) Excessive Slopes. Areas of land where the pre-development slopes are greater than eighteen percent shall not be disturbed for any improvements with the exception of utility lines.
(5) Steep Slopes. Any development on slopes between twelve percent and eighteen percent shall be allowed a maximum disturbance of fifty percent of the total slope area. Priority for slope preservation shall be given to slope areas that exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
(A) Presence of highly erodible soils as identified in the soil survey of Monroe County, Indiana;
(B) Adjacent to slopes of greater than eighteen percent;
(C) Adjacent to water resources; or
(D) Adjacent to other environmental features that are required to be preserved as part of this title.
(6) Construction Measures. Any development on slopes between twelve percent and eighteen percent shall incorporate construction measures such as retaining walls and walkout basements as well as special erosion control measures during construction.
(7) Street Grades. Arterial and collector streets shall not exceed grades of six percent and neighborhood streets or alleys shall not exceed grades of eight percent unless it is demonstrated that steeper grades will minimize disturbances to existing topography.
(8) Street Design. All drives and streets shall follow the topography with a minimum of cutting and filling.
(9) Soil Constraints. The extent of cutting and filling, the resulting slopes, and the stabilization measures shall be appropriate to the characteristics of the soils involved.
(10) Overlapping Preservation Areas. Where acreage set aside to fulfill the conservation or buffer requirements in Sections 20.05.041, EN-04 (Environmental standards--Riparian buffer), 20.05.042, EN-05 (Environmental standards--Karst Geology), 20.05.043, EN-06 (Environmental standards--Wetlands), and 20.05.044, EN-07 (Environmental standards--Tree and forest preservation) also meets the requirements for steep slope preservation under this section, such acreage shall be counted toward fulfillment of all applicable requirements. (Ord. 06-24 § 3 (part), 2006).