ORD-2003-116 Amendments to Open Space Standards for Flexible Development Subdivisions

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4 — Why are pedestrian access ways mandated at fifty feet in width? Currently, there is no width requirement for open space paths, which have been as narrow as 15 -foot easement corridors in some recent project proposals. Homes in a Flexible Development Subdivision have a 20 -foot setback requirement, so it is possible that pedestrians maybe forced to walk very closely to residences. This forces a sense of encroachment and trespass on the pedestrians, and increases the likelihood that homeowners will be disturbed. A 50 -foot commonly owned pedestrian area, combined with the 20 -foot home setbacks, ensures a 90 -foot area between homes with ample space for pedestrians to pass. This should increase the usefulness of the paths to visitors and make them more palatable to adjacent residents. This requirement does not mean that improved walking paths would have to be made 50- feet wide. There is no mandated width for any actual recreational paths. The proposed rule only creates a 50 -foot wide natural corridor, of which an improved -path may or may not be a part, pursuant to Planning Board and Board of County Commissioners' approval. Fifty feet was selected because it is consistent with existing Parks and Recreation language mandating 50 -foot corridors for connecting public open -space parcels. 5 — How would these proposed changes affect projects in the Urban Growth Boundary versus a Rural Conservation Area? How will these proposed subdivision changes affect affordable housing plans? Concern was expressed that forcing increased access to open space might reduce lots and raise home prices. In particular, the question was raised about how this would affect development in the more densely developable areas in the Urban Growth Boundary, as compared to projects in the more rural portions of the county. In both urban and rural settings, proximity to open space is considered a desirable characteristic of residential housing development. The proposed open space amendment is not designed to change densities or mandate identical development styles throughout the County. Open space will still be able to fit the goals and location of a particular new development. The majority of subdivisions being reviewed in Orange County are in rural areas, where the open space component is generally intended for wildlife and environmental resource protection. Minimum lot sizes of 40,000 square feet are typical. In the rural areas, cluster subdivisions are encouraged, and the proposed amendment is intended to intersperse the open space access points, allowing that protected rural space to be viewed and used in the developed area. In the Urban Growth Boundary, open space is used more often as a shared recreational amenity, because residents may not have large enough yards to have recreation space on their own property. Typically in the Urban Growth Boundary, the presence of water and