Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
2 <br />BACKGROUND: In the seven Flexible Development concept plans submitted, the total open space <br />(continued) provided was 128.2 acres for 209 lots. The average amount protected per subdivision <br />was 18.3 acres (43.8 %). In 1997, the percentage of open space protected per <br />subdivision was 37.05 %. <br />Of the 128.2 acres preserved as open space under Flexible Development, 99.8 acres <br />(78 %) are required by the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations to remain <br />undisturbed regardless of the We of subdivision proposed This includes areas within <br />floodplains, stream buffers, building setbacks, and Tree Protection Areas. <br />The net gain of voluntary open space attributable to Flexible Development during this <br />reporting_ period is 28.4 acres, or 22 % more than the protected area required by other <br />zoning and subdivision requirements. <br />Because of the limited number of Concept Plans reviewed, the opportunities for <br />accomplishing the purpose of Flexible Development were also limited. Most of the <br />reserved open space will protect streams, adjacent moderate to steep slopes, rock <br />outcrops, forested areas, and the associated wildlife habitat. <br />The trend in Flexible Development is toward the Conservation Option. Since the <br />implementation of Flexible Development in July 1996, only the Conservation and <br />Cluster options (or a hybrid of the two) have been used in Concept Plans. <br />Consequently, the report does not evaluate the specific standards for the Estate and <br />Village development options allowed under Flexible Development. <br />Neighborhood Information Meetings (NIMs) fostered increased public interest and <br />participation in the subdivision approval process during this reporting period. NIMs <br />have significantly heightened the awareness of adjacent and neighboring property <br />owners to the proceedings of the Planning Board. The NIMs and Planning Board <br />meetings for the Wildwood West and Lawrence Road Subdivision concept plans drew <br />large turnouts of citizens. <br />The Planning Board received the 2nd Annual Flexible Development Report on July 15, <br />1998. (An excerpt from the meeting minutes is provided as attachment #2.) The <br />Planning Board expressed concerns about the Conservation Option, particularly with <br />regard to minimum setbacks being included within the required 33 % open space. <br />RECOMMENDATION: For information and review purposes only. <br />