City staff say approved slope ratio is 4:1; retaining walls over threshold require engineered plans

Assistant City Manager Crystal Owens walked residents through the grading and slope standards that apply to the Eastman Hills development. She said the site has an 86‑foot elevation change from Country Club Road to the lowest point, internal walls are designed to vary between about 2 and 10 feet and perimeter walls between 2 and 14 feet depending on location.

"The ratio that was, approved or accepted in this particular project is a 4 to 1 slope," Owens said, describing the city standard that is generally stable and maintainable once vegetation is established. Owens added that any wall with a foundation typically above the city's threshold requires engineered design plans and a building‑inspection permit in accordance with the 2015 International Building Code and the city's technical standards manual.

Owens emphasized that while engineers sometimes prefer alternative designs, staff decisions are bounded by what the PD, the GDC and the TSM require: if the construction matches approved engineering drawings and the code, the city must accept the work and may recommend but cannot force design changes. She said retaining walls for the area adjacent to Bluff View are being designed and will be reviewed by building inspections before construction.