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<br />27 <br />Section F EVALUATION CRITERIA <br />For any given site, resources may vary widely in importance; e.g., a natural area <br />compared to a historic site. Likewise, for each type of resource, there may be <br />examples of greater or lesser significance; e.g., a notable example of local <br />vernacular building traditions compared to a much altered older home. Priorities <br />for conserving such resources should therefore be based upon a thorough site <br />analysis and an understanding of what is more special, unique, noteworthy, <br />environmentally sensitive, and/or historic as compared with other similar features <br />or different types of resources. <br />In evaluating the layout of lots and open space, the following criteria will be <br />considered as indicating design appropriate to the site's features and meeting <br />the intent of the Flexible Development standards. Whereas diversity and <br />originality in lot layout are encouraged, it is recognized that not all objectives may <br />be achieved on a given site. Each applicant must therefore to achieve the best <br />possible relationship between development and preservation objectives. <br />F.1 General Criteria <br />The following criteria apply to all Flexible Development projects: <br />• The shape of the open space shall be reasonably contiguous, coherently <br />configured, and shall abut existing or potential open space on adjacent <br />properties. Long narrow segments must be avoided except in the case of <br />trail or stream corridors, or landscape buffers adjoining street rights-of- <br />way and/or neighborhood boundaries. <br />• The pedestrian circulation system shall be designed to assure that <br />pedestrians can walk safely and easily on the site, between properties <br />and activities or special features within the neighborhood open space <br />system. All roadside footpaths should connect with off-road trails, and link <br />with existing or potential open space on adjoining parcels. <br />• Protect and preserve all wetlands, floodplains, and steep slopes from <br />clearing, grading, filling, or construction except as may be approved by <br />the Board of Commissioners. <br />g:\subregsllV-B-10.new <br />