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STRATEGIC GROWTH AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION PROGRAM <br />Final (8.7.2009) <br />Conservation Points. Proposed conservation easements on eligible Conservation Area <br />properties are assigned Conservation Points (CPS) as follows: <br />a. One CP per acre is awarded to all participating CA properties; <br />b. Additional CPS are awarded based on pre- easement tax - assessed land <br />VnII It- <br />Tax- assessed land value per acre Additional CPs per acre <br />$10,000 ..... <br />/ <br />111 ...... <br />$20,000-24,999.99 <br />111 29,999.99 <br />$30,000 a • higher <br />c. Up to one additional credit per acre is awarded based on actual acreage <br />meeting any one or more of eligibility criteria b) iii -x above, or containing <br />steep slopes of 25% or higher. <br />d. The total CPS assigned to an eligible CA property are the sum of CPS <br />awarded under steps a, b, and c above. <br />Development Intensity Bonus. Eligible Growth Area property owners may apply for a <br />development intensity bonus to be awarded upon conveyance to the County of a <br />privately - purchased conservation easement on an eligible Conservation Area property. <br />a. For Residential Development: <br />i. CPS are translated to Growth Area development intensity bonuses at a <br />3:1 ratio, meaning for every three CPS assigned to the conservation <br />easement, 1 additional housing unit may be built in the Growth Area <br />property. <br />ii. Alternatively, owners of Growth Area properties 25 acres or larger may <br />enter into a Development Agreement with the County, which will <br />negotiate a development intensity bonus taking CPS into account along <br />with other factors, such as provision of affordable housing or LEED- <br />certified construction. <br />iii. The final gross density of projects using CPS may not exceed 15 housing <br />units per acre. <br />b. For Non - Residential or Mixed -use Development: <br />i. Owners of Growth Area properties 25 acres or larger may enter into a <br />Development Agreement with the County, which will negotiate a <br />development intensity bonus taking CPS into account along with other <br />performance factors agreed to by the property owner. <br />ii. Growth Area properties of less than 25 acres are not eligible at this time <br />for non - residential or mixed -use density bonuses through the program, but <br />may be added to the program at a later date. <br />Design Requirements. Design requirements will be incorporated into eventual SGRC <br />ordinance provisions based on the County's design guidelines developed for the <br />Efland- Mebane area. These will apply to all Growth Area properties participating in the <br />SGRC Program and will serve to ensure that the increased development intensity does <br />not negatively impact nearby land values or quality of life. <br />ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA <br />