Wild District Ordinance
Hillside Communities, CA · Environmental Planning
Our principals developed regulatory standards for development in and adjacent to designated wildlife corridors , integrating habitat connectivity requirements directly into the zoning code rather than relying solely on environmental review. The ordinance addressed one of the most consequential land use challenges facing hillside communities: how to accommodate development pressure while preserving the ecological connectivity that allows wildlife populations to survive in a fragmented urban landscape.
The standards were calibrated to the specific terrain, ecological conditions, and development pressures of hillside contexts across the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas. Rather than applying uniform setbacks or blanket prohibitions, the ordinance created a context-sensitive framework that distinguished between highly sensitive core corridor areas, transitional buffer zones, and adjacent development areas , with standards calibrated to the ecological function of each.
Key Elements
- Context-calibrated standards distinguishing core corridor, buffer, and adjacent development zones
- Terrain-responsive development standards accounting for slope, aspect, and ecological sensitivity
- Lighting and fencing standards designed to reduce barriers to wildlife movement
- Integration of habitat connectivity requirements into the base zoning code
- Streamlined pathway for projects that meet objective corridor protection standards