Agenda - 08-30-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2S r 2. OVERALL MINIMUM LOT SIZE BASIS (CH, CA) The Rural Character Study Committee has proposed that the overall minimum lot size calculations for developments in the Rural Buffer revert back to a "80,000 square footage" (1.84 acres) base rather than the current "2.0- acre" base. In 1987, when Rural Buffer zoning was implemented, a minimum lot size of 2.0 acres was instituted - replacing the previous County standard of 0.92 acres (40,000 square feet). The latter County standard is still applied in the rural parts of the County and stems from the minimum lot area needed for septic tank permits. This base of 40,000 square feet is also used in the lower density Water Quality Critical Area, which has a. minimum lot size of 80,000 square feet (1.84 acres) rather than 2.0 acres. There appear to be arguments in both directions. The acreage -based standard is consistent with the Joint Planning Agreement and Land Use Plan. The square - footage base is consistent with all Orange County residential options outside of the Rural Buffer. The concern of Chapel Hill and Carrboro staff is that reducing the minimum lot size from 2.0 acres to 1.84 acres will result in a greater number of dwellings in the Rural Buffer than was envisioned by the Joint Planning-Agreement and Land Use Plan. Orange County staff feels the increase that might be seen in number of dwellings is.very slight, and that any increase would be offset by the flexibility granted - yielding more sensitive site design. 3. MINIMUM LOT SIZE VERSUS AVERAGE LOT SIZE (CH) The Rural Character Study Committee has recommended allowing the use of "average" lot sizing rather than "minimum" lot sizing for non - sewered residential' developments in the Rural Buffer. The purpose for this provision is to allow additional design flexibility for property owners and developers in producing site - sensitive developments. For example, a 50 -acre tract of land with moderately -good soils currently could be subdivided into 20 -22 single - family dwelling lots of 2.0 acres each. A 50 -acre tract with worse soil conditions would likely contain fewer lots. Under the proposed "averaging" provision, the property owner would be allowed the flexibility to create a certain number of lots less than 2.0 acres in size (but larger than 40,000 square feet), only if these smaller lots were balanced with lots that were respectively larger. Thus, the property owner might create 11 one- - acre lots and 11 three -acre lots - using the better soils for the smaller lots and the poorer soils for the larger lots, and fitting the lot lines to the tract with some flexibility. 11