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• 39 <br /> GOAL 3: PRESERVE AND PROTECT VISUAL RESOURCES IN RURAL ORANGE. <br /> The county's visual resources, farm fields and forests, are an often <br /> seen but forgotten component of rural character. When considered <br /> as a resource, what is visible to the human eye represents a great <br /> deal of what makes up rural character". In many cases, however, <br /> the importance of scenic views and rural landscapes are not <br /> dissevered until they no longer exist. A program <br /> that encourages innovative techniques to balance development with <br /> visual resource protection is of critical importance. <br /> Arendt Comment: Add highlighted words. <br /> ACTION STRATEGIES <br /> Strategies recommended for the preservation of visual resources include the following: <br /> 1. Implement Flexible Development options that protect and preserve existing visual resources. Produce a <br /> series of educational brochures to illustrate how open space set-asides enhance the value of property to be <br /> developed as well as MW adjacent properties which benefit from "borrowed" open space. <br /> Arendt Comment: Recommend addition of highlighted words. <br /> 2. Promote the importance of scenic vistas and landscapes in maintaining rural character through completion <br /> of the Scenic Roads Study. Provide incentives for developers who use the Rural Design Guidebook and <br /> the standards of the Scenic Roads Study to preserve scenic vistas along selected roads, ridge lines, and <br /> areas adjacent to open fields. <br /> 3. Evaluate the feasibility of a Viewshed Overlay Zoning District to be used in conjunction with the Scenic <br /> Roads Study to protect special rural landscapes and travel corridors where visual resource protection is of <br /> the utmost importance. The travel corridors vistas represent Orange County's "first impression" for <br /> visitors. <br /> 4. Support efforts the proposed vo unta Purchase of Development Rights program, including its use to <br /> protect scenic roads and vistas in association with farms and forest lands. Prioritization should be <br /> accomplished through the Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) system with which to rank sites <br /> for development rights acquisition. <br /> 5. Pursue local voluntary Transfer of Development Rights (MR) legislation and direct the Agricultural <br /> Districts Advisory Board to cooperate in regional efforts to protect scenic roads and vistas. <br /> 6. Following implementation of Flexible Development options, prepare an annual report for the Board of <br /> Commissioners and Planning Board evaluating the impact of such options on the county's visual resources, <br /> including an assessment of additional strategies as needed. <br /> Goals&Action Strategies 5 <br />