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22 <br /> Additional Information: <br /> Proposed Amendments to Flexible Development Provisions of the Orange <br /> County Subdivision Regulations <br /> Since the institution of the flexible development program, the majority of <br /> applications submitted for major subdivision concept plan approval under the <br /> flexible development provisions have used the conservation option (during FY <br /> 1997-98, five of the eight submitted a concept plan using the conservation <br /> option). The conservation option provides advantages of locating septic systems <br /> within the conservation areas, reducing minimum lot width to 100', and reducing <br /> the minimum lot frontage. Those provisions allow more lots to be, established <br /> along subdivision roads thus reducing the cost of road construction per site. The <br /> conservation option allows subdividers to incorporate the open space within <br /> individually owned lots; thus, eliminating the need for establishment of <br /> homeowners associations charged with owning and preserving the established <br /> open space. Because the open space is incorporated within the individual lots, <br /> the open space has often been designated in the required front, side and rear <br /> setbacks. Such open space is fragmented with no area(s) large enough to <br /> render any of the intended benefits. <br /> The Orange County Planning Board Ordinance Review Committee convened in <br /> December, 1998, to consider amendments to the flexible development provisions <br /> to remedy the inadequacies of the conservation approach. The Committee first <br /> identified the following issues of concern with development plans submitted <br /> using the conservation option. <br /> 1. The majority of plans submitted using the conservation option include <br /> required front, side and rear setbacks as part of the open space. Open <br /> space scattered along front, side and rear setback areas does not meet <br /> the flexible development objective to create compact neighborhoods <br /> accessible to open space amenities and with a strong identity. <br /> 2. Subdivisions submitted using the conservation option look like conventional <br /> subdivisions and provide no buffering or open space along the outside <br /> boundaries of the subdivision to shield the view of the development from <br /> the public roads. (Fails to meet the flexible development objective to <br /> preserve scenic views and elements of the county's rural character, <br /> and to minimize perceived density by minimizing views of new <br /> development from existing roads.) <br /> 3. A 40,000 square foot lot is not large enough to accommodate adequate <br /> area for building site, accessory buildings, septic system and repair area <br /> when a portion of the lot is restricted for conservation purposes. <br /> g:\may99ph\flexdev.not\5-13-99\kl <br />