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13 <br /> On May 1, 1996,the Board of Commissioners approved Flexible Development <br /> regulations to encourage the preservation of open space in subdivision designs. The <br /> flexible development provisions superseded the previous cluster subdivision <br /> provisions and they were deleted from the ordinance. Also deleted were the <br /> previous application and approval procedures for Concept Plan,replaced by the <br /> flexible development application and approval procedures. <br /> The flexible development provisions are applicable in all residential zoning districts <br /> except the Rural Buffer. Deleting the previous cluster regulations and Concept Plan <br /> application and approval procedures had the unintended result of eliminating those <br /> provisions in the Rural Buffer. The Planning Staff recommends that the previous <br /> provisions be re-adopted to apply to that district only. <br /> The proposed amendment was presented for public hearing on August 26, 1996. <br /> There were no comments. <br /> The Planning Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment. <br /> MOTION: Katz moved approval as recommended by the Planning Staff. Seconded by Hoecke. <br /> VOTE: Unanimous. <br /> (3) Section III-E(new)Improvements(was V-D-8) <br /> Section III-C-2e Application Requirements(Minor subdivisions) <br /> Section III-D-2-a(7)Application Requirements(Preliminary Plat) <br /> Section III-D-3a Application Requirements(Final Plat) <br /> Presentation by Emily Cameron. <br /> This item is for consideration of proposed amendments to the Subdivision <br /> Regulations to relocate provisions regarding required improvements from <br /> Section V,"Plat Specifications",to Section III,"Application and Approval <br /> Procedures",rewrite the section for clarity and to add language regarding <br /> construction cost estimates and financial guarantees. <br /> The proposed amendment is technical in nature to provide clarity and <br /> cohesiveness to the Subdivision Regulations. The only new text being added is <br /> to specify requirements for construction cost estimates and financial guarantees <br /> submitted when improvements are not completed prior to Final Plat approval. <br /> The Planning Staff consulted with the County Attorney,the County Engineer <br /> and developers to draft the new text. <br /> The proposed ordinance language specifies that a financial guarantee must be <br /> effective for 372 days,which allows one year for the applicant to complete <br /> subdivision improvements and a week for the County to"cash-in"the letter of <br /> credit or escrow agreement,in the event the improvements are not finished in an <br /> acceptable manner within a year. It also requires that the construction cost <br /> estimate be itemized with quantities and unit prices so that the County Engineer <br /> can verify that the estimate total is sufficient to complete a project according to <br /> approved plans. <br /> In addition,the new text prohibits anyone with ownership interest in the <br /> subdivision from preparing the construction cost estimate and eliminates the <br />