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12 <br />environmentally sensitive and/or historic as compared with other similar features of <br />different types of resources. <br />In evaluating the layout of lots and open space, the following criteria will be considered <br />as indicating design appropriate to the site's features and meeting the intent of the <br />Flexible Development standards. Whereas diversity and originality in lot layout are <br />encouraged, it is recognized that not all objectives may be achieved on a given site. Each <br />applicant must therefore achieve the best possible relationship between development and <br />preservation objectives. <br />F.1 General Criteria <br />The following criteria apply to all Flexible Development projects: <br />• The shape and placement of the open space shall be reasonably contiguous, <br />coherently configured, and shall abut existing or potential open space on adjacent <br />properties, and shall be supportive of bene€eial to stated open space goals. Long, <br />aaFrew segments mitst be avoided r , <br />r J b • jj+ +w vi yr Open <br />space should not be overly fragmented or in long narrow segments (except in the <br />case of pedestrian access ways, stream or wildlife corridors, greenbelt paths, <br />view preservation areas (also viewsheds or visual amenity preservation areas — an <br />area left open to allow for the public viewing of one or more natural or constructed <br />features of high visual quality), or landscape buffers adjoining street rights -of- <br />way and/or neighborhood boundaries). <br />Open space shall be connected, when applicable and reasonable, to other open <br />space in the same project and/or to existing or potential off -site open space or <br />pedestrian paths in land parcels adjacent to the Flexible Development area. <br />• The pedestrian circulation system shall be designed to ensure that pedestrians can <br />walk safely and easily on the site, between properties and activities or special features <br />within the neighborhood open space system. All roadside footpaths should connect <br />with off -road trails, and link with existing or potential open space on adjoining <br />parcels. <br />• Protect and preserve all wetlands, floodplains and steep slopes from clearing, grading, <br />filling or construction except as may be approved by the board of commissioners. <br />• Landscape common areas (neighborhood greens), cul -de -sac islands, and both sides <br />of new streets with native specie shade trees and flowering shrubs with high wildlife <br />conservation value. <br />Section 3 This ordinance is effective upon adoption <br />