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

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BOCC Approved Ordinance 1 October 2003 • Composition -The natural and constructed features of land indicate what types of open-space goals it can support.. For each of the listed open space goals, certain characteristics are required or preferred. Compositional requirements and preferences are stated throughout this section. • Accessibility -All Flexible Development plans shall, unless the open space is to preserve conservation values that require minimal disturbance, provide open space access to the public at large and/or subdivision residents, in accordance with Section C.4. • Size and Shape -The usefulness of open space can be lessened when it is fragmented or shaped in long narrow segments. The most functional open space is large enough to maximize the benefits to ecological, environmental, cultural, recreational and/or visual uses. Size and shape requirements are listed in Section F.l . An open space plan may use other land characteristics aswell, if a direct link to the goals of Section C.2 is shown. C.3 Types of Open Space The types of open space conserved through Flexible Development shall be consistent with the following standards: a. Open space shall be comprised of two types of land: "Primary Conservation Areas" and "Secondary Conservation Areas ". b. Primary Conservation Areas---These areas have sensitive environmental features and/or significant cultural resource. areas, which may make them legally or practically unbuildable. These areas are the first open spaces to be chosen towards meeting the minimum 33% requirement. Secondary Conservation Areas may not be counted towards the 33% requirement unless all potential Primary Conservation Areas, other than expansion areas as defined below, have been set aside. Wetlands, including, but not limited to, streams, creeks, ponds, reservoirs, stormwater management facilities for watershed protection purposes, and adjoining land areas identified as part of: 0 The National Wetlands Inventory Maps for the county, prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 0 The "Orange County, N.C. Soil Survey," prepared by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service; 0 The "Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats," as prepared by the Triangle Land Conservancy; 0 LANDSAT satellite data collected and analyzed under the Albemarle- Pamlico Estuarine Study;