As the 1 in 475 year probability of failure is proposed to be a minimum, Council, staff or the geotechnical engineer may set or recommend higher standards as determined by the application. Under dynamic loading conditions, deformations in structures should be limited so that serious structural damage which leads to building failure or collapse does not occur. This will necessitate specific attention to this issue by the design team, including the geotechnical engineer, architect and structural engineer. Critical to the safe use and enjoyment of the developed lands can be the stability of surrounding lands. A geotechnical review in support of an application needs to consider this issue.
Steep slopes are often at risk during the construction phase.
Excavations, vibrations and heavy equipment typically associated with development must be managed to avoid causing slope instability. In support of addressing this issue, an acceptable construction management plan addressing critical issues for the safe construction of the development is necessary. The plan should be tailored to each particular development by the applicants geotechnical engineer. Common to the plans should be acceptable discussion of provisions with respect to monitoring of the slope prior to, during and following construction, safe access to the site, excavation and shoring plans, acceptable weather conditions and other issues deemed critical by the geotechnical engineer. The slope should be monitored to legal land surveyor tolerances.