The Town Council has approved standards for new canyon-side lot designations within the Town of Fountain Hills.

The new regulations add a section to the Zoning Ordinance to regulate development of single family residential lots where the building footprint sits on a slope of 30 percent or greater.

It would apply to lots only on the downhill side of the street.

The ordinance change also allows for a front side setback reduction of 10 feet from what is specified for the overall zoning district.

The change also provides for a maximum overall building height of 50 feet (lowest point the structure sits on the lot to the top of the structure) to reduce the visual impact down the canyon side.

Planning staff consulted with the town engineer and a local private engineer, as well as reviewed similar regulations in communities with similar terrain.

In her staff report Senior Planner Marissa Moore said the new standards address concerns related to these site characteristics and will allow for development of such lots without the need for variance or other waivers.

The requirements are designed to complement and not replace other existing zoning or subdivision regulations including hillside regulations.

Councilman Dennis Brown, who is a general contractor and home builder, said he appreciates the effort of staff to develop the regulations and he thanked the specific contractor who made the proposal to the town that offers more options to builders on steeper hillside lots in Fountain Hills.

The council vote to approve the ordinance was 7-0.