Agenda - 06-30-1994 - C-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i t ti-. - ;,�•�.• • '1,17'!�.��{♦'�_`��.. 20 r, r iii +r - ♦. �4�•�.t`=`�yi��...`#i`T�r•� 1 The New England village pattern—small lots and small setbacks and village greens—is an early example of the cluster concept. where open space advocates are standards such as maximum densities office or industrial parks ha\e a prac- increasinsly lockinet horns with devel- and minirnurn setbacks. In practice, tical and effective alternate\a in the opers. the cluster approach is provid- however, these ordinances generally form of cluster de\elopment or"open ing an excellent way for home do nothing to protect open space or to space"zoning.To avoid redistributing builders and others to demonstrate conserve rural character. the equity held by existing land own- that their proposals can, in fact. help Conventional zoning assigns a ers. cluster zoning allows the game totvns maintain them cherished rural development designation— generally gross density or overall amount of character. Cluster development can be residential. commercial, or industri- development that is already permitted. an effective "mitigation technique" to alto even• acre of land in a commu- The difference is that clustering rebut legal challenges that develop- nity. The only lands not designated requires all new construction to be mint �� producing •an adverse impact for development are unbuildable areas limited to (typically) one-half of the on -uch \:clued natural assets as farm- such as \%etlands and flood plains. parcel. The remaining open 'pace is land. ri\erbanks. steep hillsides or Conventional zoning has been accu- permanently protected under a con.er- summit,;. and deeryards. To quote rately described as "planned spraulI vation easement and recorded in the land use consultant Robert Lemire, because every square foot of each deed for the land. the challenge is to "build what needs development parcel is converted to Local regulations can offer cluster to be built. and sa\e \\hat needs to be front yards. back yards. streets, side- development as an option to the saved." Walks,or driveways. Nothing remains developer or can make clustering Fey\ people realize that conven- to become open space through this compulsory. in Massachusetts. about tional zoning is essentially a blueprint land-consumptive process of regula- one-third of the to\%ns offer "permis- for de\elopment and development tion. sive cluster' as an option for develop- alone. Most rural residents consider Local officials, residents. and ers. Mandatory or "compulsory clus• their to\%ns fairly %%ell "protected" by developers who are interested in ter" has been used by a number of zoning regulations that \\ere original- ensuring that their towns will not ulti- rural towns in southern )Maine and ly intended to separate incompatible mately become a seamless web of upstate New York for mam dears but uses and to establish development subdivisions. shopping centers. and has only recently been introduced in Land Development Fall 1991 27