ORD-2003-133 Amendments to Open Space Standards for Flexible Development Subdivisions

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BOCC Approved Ordinance ~'a ~ ` ~ dv ~~ 1 `~~ ~.~P p; 1 October 2003 ~~ `~ ~ ~ 9 ~ v ~ -~ q8 An Ordinance Amending the Subdivision Regulations of Orange County Be it ordained by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Orange, North Carolina, that the Subdivision Regulations are hereby amended as follows: Section 1 Amend Section IV-B-10. FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT to read as follows: Section C OPEN SPACE STANDARDS C.1 Minimum Required Open Space Where a developer elects to seek approval of a Flexible Development as specified herein, at least thirty-three percent (33%) of the total land area in the Flexible Development must be set aside as protected open space. Such open space shall meet these standards unless the developer chooses to seek approval of a conventional subdivision as specified herein. C.2 Planning For Open Space Open space design in subdivision projects shall be planned as part of a comprehensive project design. The long-term success of open space is improved when a layout is chosen with a perspective of future usefulness, efficiency, and compatibility with both existing development and other types of open spaces. Open space is an important amenity for subdivision residents and an essential part of the County's character and environmental quality. Open space planning must indicate a thoughtful understanding of that importance, and shall be evaluated based on its merits. A Flexible Development subdivision plan shall always provide open space which prominently meets at least one of the three following goals in open space design: • The Maintenance of Wildlife Corridors and/or Habitat; • The Preservation of Rural Character • The Creation or Protection of Space for Outdoor Recreation and, when relevant, address the following additional goals in open space design: • The Protection of Other Natural Resources • The Improvement or Maintenance of Visual Amenities • The Creation or Protection of Managed Resource Production • The Improvement or Maintenance of Public Health and Safety • The Creation or Protection of Public Purpose andlor Utility Infrastructure. The primary means by which goals in open space design are addressed are composition, accessibility, size and shape.. The primary way to achieve these open space design goals is by the application of standards to these fundamental land characteristics defined below.