Agenda - 02-18-2016 - E1 - Review of Minimum Lot Size and Density Allowances for Subdivisions

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66 established design features, including compliance with a mandatory design feature requiring lot sizes and required setbacks be doubled.8 By demonstrating compliance with these design elements, the proposed roadway is deemed `justified' and the project can move forward. Existing regulations allow for a reduction in required lot size (i.e. the increased lot size required as part of the mandatory private road justification criteria) with the designation of open space within the project. The more open space designated the smaller the required lot, capped at a 60,000 sq.ft. required minimum lot size with the designation of 50% or more of the project's land area as open space. Applicants typically have no interest in designating open space as the allowances for lot reduction are deemed to be too restrictive with most choosing to develop: i. A 3 lot minor subdivision (i.e. no private road justification required), ii. A 5 lot minor subdivision without open space (i.e. private road justification is adhered to but lots are not clustered), or iii. Create a public roadway to serve the project (i.e. meaning the subdivision is automatically classified a major subdivision per Section 7.2.2 of the UDO). 5. Section 7.13.9 of the UDO outlines options for density bonuses within the various Flexible Development subdivisions to encourage either development of affordable housing units or reservation of additional open space. A developer can apply for an increase in the number of building lots/dwelling units permitted within a development through 1 of these 2 options. Unfortunately per Section 6.18 of the UDO additional density credits for affordable housing cannot be awarded for property located within Water Supply Watershed areas as designated on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM). The Watershed Protection Overlay Districts correspond to these Water Supply Watershed areas as denoted on the aforementioned map. Please refer to Attachment 1 for more information. Per Section 7.13.9 (B) (4) density bonuses for projects providing additional open space are only applicable to property in or adjacent to Transition Areas as denoted on the FLUM. This `density bonus' system does not have applicability within the majority of the County. Staff has also received concerns from local developers and property owners interested in subdividing their property over existing review processes, summarized as follows: a. Development of roadways within subdivisions. Section 7.8 Access and Roadways of the UDO establishes the classification(s) of roadways required to serve projects of certain sizes, specifically: i. A Class B Private Road (50 ft. right-of-way with a 12 ft. improved travel way) is required to serve a project proposing/serving 1 to 5 lots or dwelling units; ii. A Class A Private Road (50 ft. right-of-way with an 18 ft. improved travel way) is required to serve a project proposing/serving 6 to 12 lots or dwelling units; and 8 For lots located within the RB general use zoning district the required minimum lot size increases from 2 to 3 acres through the private road justification process.