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

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FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT #2 July 1, 1997 - June 30, 1998 Submitted by the Orange County Planning and Inspections Department Background. On May 1, 1996, the Subdivision Regulations and Zoning Ordinance were amended to establish a program of Flexible Development that began on July 1, 1996. The purpose of Flexible Development is to preserve agricultural and forestry lands, natural and cultural features, and rural community character that might be lost through conventional subdivision methods. The regulations as adopted include a requirement for an annual report to be made to the Board of County Commissioners which describes the major subdivision Concept Plans reviewed during the year. The report is to include an evaluation of Flexible Development standards, including their effectiveness in achieving the stated purpose. The Board of County Commissioners shall review the report to determine if adjustments and/or changes are required. The Board may then direct the County Manager and staff to prepare a report that outlines recommended changes for its consideration. Summary of Year 1: July 1, 1996 - June 30, 1997. The first annual report on Flexible Development was presented to the Board of Commissioners on September 16, 1997. During the first year under the revised subdivision regulations (July 1, 1996 - June 30, 1997), a total of seven (7) Concept Plans was reviewed under Flexible Development, with an average subdivision size of 32.78 acres. Three of the seven applicants (42 %) opted for the Flexible Development plan. In the three Flexible Development Concept Plans, the total open space provided was 22.18 acres; the average amount protected per subdivision was 7.39 acres (37.05 %). Of the 22.18 acres reserved as open space in these subdivisions, 12.56 acres were located in floodplain, stream buffer, building setbacks, and Tree Protection Areas. The Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations require these areas to remain undisturbed regardless of the type of subdivision proposed. These requirements were in effect before the adoption of Flexible Development Standards. The net gain of voluntary open space attributable to Flexible Development during the first year of implementation was 9.62 acres. Of that total, 1.86 acres were used for septic easements. The remaining 7.81 acres either protected forest on moderate slopes or was landscaped as a buffer. Section One: Subdivision Summaries, July 1,1997 -June 30, 1998 During this reporting period, a total of nine (9) major subdivision Concept Plans were submitted for review, eight (8) of which were outside the Rural Buffer and subject to Flexible Development Flexible Development Annual Report #2 July 1998 Page I