Agenda - 10-20-1998 - 10c - Laserfiche WebLink

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Seven of the eight applicants (87.5 %) will implement the Flexible Development option'. Five applicants submitted a single concept plan under the Conservation Option. One applicant submitted two plans, but intends to use the Cluster Option (Village of the Oaks). Implementation of flexible development options increased substantially during this reporting period. In 1997, only three of seven (42 %) chose a Flexible Development option. • Regarding the remaining subdivision application for the Lawrence Road Subdivision, the applicant submitted two concepts plans because their proposal for a Planned Development did not meet the 33% open space requirement. The application for the Planned Development has been submitted for the August 24, 1998 public hearing. • In the seven Flexible Developments, the total open space provided was 128.2 acres for 209 lots. The average amount protected per subdivision was 18.3 acres (43.8 %). In 1997, the percentage of open space protected per subdivision was 37.05 %. Of the 128.2 acres preserved as open space in the seven subdivisions under Flexible Development, 99.8 acres (78 %) are required by the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations to remain undisturbed regardless of the type of subdivision proposed This includes areas within floodplains, stream buffers, building setbacks, and Tree Protection Areas. • The net gain of voluntary open space attributable to Flexible Development during this reporting _period is 28.4 acres, or 22% more than the protected area required by other zoning and subdivision requirements. Given the level of participation in Flexible Development described above and the fact that one of the four development options (conservation) was predominate, the Staff evaluation of Flexible Development standards is by necessity somewhat limited. However, some general observations can be made about the program based on the stated purpose of the Flexible Development regulations, "to preserve agricultural and forestry lands, natural and cultural features, and rural community character." Of the eight concept plan applications, two affected active farmland. The Lawrence Road Subdivision will result in a loss of approximately 40 acres of farmland. Farming may continue on the five acres of open space in Village of the Oaks, although lots and roads will result in the loss of approximately 15 acres for farmland. Managed forestry lands were not located on any of the subject properties. Cultural features such as historic buildings or archeological sites were not encountered in the concept plans reviewed; however, protection of a potential scenic road corridor was considered in the Village of the Oaks Concept Plan. I The Wildwood West Concept Plan, submitted under the Cluster Option, was denied by the Planning Board on March 5, 1998. However, it is included for evaluation purposes. Flexible Development Annual Report #2 July 1998 Page 7