Opinion ID: 2542695
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Visually sensitive areas

Text: Finally, Cowan argues that the proposed development will diminish the visual appeal of the Shotgun Valley. Rather than the zero awarded by the Administrator on this standard, Cowan contends Eagle's Nest should have received a negative score because Bawden did not propose clustered development as the FCDC encourages and because the development violates the policy contained in the Comprehensive Plan to direct development away from visually sensitive areas. The FCDC defines visually sensitive areas as those areas containing certain designations and broadly delineated . . . by the U.S. Forest Service. This delineation is based on the view from major public roads and bodies of water. FCDC Ch. XIV (AAAA). The Board determined that because the development was not included on the forest service maps showing visually sensitive areas, the standard was not relevant and accepted the Administrator's score. As before, Cowan is simply displeased with the Board's decision and asks this Court to review a factual finding. However, the Board's decision is supported by substantial and competent evidence. There was conflicting evidence presented as to whether the area would be visually sensitive if the maps were redrawn. Moreover, it was not error for the Board to rely on the maps as they existed at the time Bawden filed his application. The Board did not err in approving Bawden's application based on the scores given for relative performance standards. Each of its decisions is supported by substantial and competent evidence. Therefore, this Court is bound by the Board's factual findings and we affirm the Board's decisions relating to relative performance standards. Since we affirm each individual score, we need not reach Cowan's argument relating to the overall relative score.