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24 <br /> received were based on a building size of 9600 square feet. A reduction <br /> of building size by half would be needed. <br /> 5. SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS AMENDMENTS <br /> a. Section IV-B-8 Landscaping and Buffer Requirements <br /> The prresentation was made by Marvin Collins. <br /> On December 6, 1986, the Board of Commissioners suspended <br /> enforcement of Section IV-B-8-c-1 of the Subdivision Regulations, <br /> pending further study of standards requiring installation of plant <br /> materials in building setback areas and on parcels designated for <br /> recreation/open space use. Concern had been expressed by land owners <br /> and developers about the high cost of complying with the standards. <br /> Clarification of application was also required. <br /> The Planning Board Ordinance Review Committee has been working <br /> with a developer, forester and landscape architect in reviewing the <br /> design standards. The proposed revisions represent changes to Section <br /> IV-B-8 as applicable to new subdivisions. <br /> Approval of the amendment would allow more flexibility in the <br /> installation of required plant materials. Street frontages are required <br /> to have a canopy comprised of at least one (1) large tree per lot, with <br /> additional landscaping comprised of large and/or small trees. <br /> Side/rear yards as well as recreation/open space areas are <br /> still required to have one (1) tree per 1, 000 sq. ft. area, but trees <br /> may be grouped and large and small trees may be installed. Coupled with <br /> reductions in required plant sizes, the new standards result in lower <br /> installation costs. <br /> Emphasis is given to installation of healthy plants and proper <br /> maintenance rather than plants reaching designated heights within <br /> specified time periods. Furthermore, areas in which buffers are <br /> required or utility/drainage easements provided are excluded from <br /> compliance. <br /> In answer to a question from Mike Lewis, Collins <br /> responded it was never the intent of the ordinance to control <br /> landscaping or removal of vegetation beyond the point that ownership of <br /> the property was transferred from developer to owner. <br /> Collins continued that the original emphasis was to protect <br /> existing vegetation. <br /> Steve Yuhasz noted that this would encourage developers to <br /> develop wooded land rather than open land. <br /> WITH NO FURTHER COMMENTS, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. <br /> Motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by <br /> Commissioner Halkiotis to refer to the Planning Board items 3a, 3b, 4 <br /> and 5 for a recommendation to be received at the regular Board meeting <br /> on April 6, 1987. <br />