Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
61 <br /> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ORANGE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE <br /> ARTICLE 22 DEFINITIONS <br /> TO DEFINE FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT AND OPEN SPACE <br /> IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH PROVISIONS OF SECTION IV-B-10 OF THE SUBDIVISION <br /> AND <br /> TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE DEFININTION OF OPEN SPACE USED FOR LAND USE INTENSITY <br /> CALCULATIONS REQUIRED FOR ZONING APPLICATIONS AND OPEN SPACE APPLICABLE TO <br /> FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISIONS. <br /> THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY ORDAINS: <br /> ARTICLE 22 DEFINITIONS is amended by changing the definitions of flexible <br /> development and open space to read as follows: -- <br /> FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT -A subdivision in which greater flexibility and <br /> design creativity is encouraged and allowed to preserve agricultural and <br /> forestry lands, natural and cultural features, and rural community <br /> character that might otherwise be lost through conventional development <br /> approaches. At least one-third (33%) of the land within a Flexible <br /> Development subdivision must be set aside as open space which may be <br /> preserved through: <br /> (a) An "estate lot" approach where all land is subdivided into lots three (3) <br /> acres and greater in size, building lot area including setbacks are <br /> established on 50% of each lot, and the land area outside such area <br /> is preserved as open space provided that front and side yard setback <br /> areas shall not be counted toward meeting the minimum open space <br /> requirement except as specified by provisions of Article IV-13-10, <br /> Section D.1; or <br /> (b) A "conservation-cluster" approach where lot sizes are reduced and <br /> the land saved through such reductions is preserved as open space <br /> on separate lots owned and maintained through a homeowners <br /> association, a non-profit land conservancy or unit of state of local <br /> government; or <br /> (c) A "village" or modified cluster approach where dwelling units are <br /> clustered around a village green and supporting shops, and the village <br /> is surrounded by open space; or <br /> (d) Some combination of the above <br />