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MEMORANDUM To: Orange County Board of Commissioners From: Orange County Commission for the Environment Date: November 15, 2016 Subject: Draft UDO Text Amendment for Flexible Minor Subdivisions The Orange County Commission for the Environment (CFE) has reviewed the draft text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) sections for subdivision and flexible development to allow for Flexible Minor Subdivisions. The CFE appreciates the opportunity to comment on this proposal. Our ability to review and comment was facilitated by an October 10 presentation to our board by Patrick Mallett and Rachel McCook of the Planning and Inspections Department. The CFE learned the proposed changes would a) increase the maximum number of lots eligible for minor subdivisions from five lots to 12 lots if the Flexible Development option is chosen, and b) allow for smaller lots and larger areas of common open space and other environmentally sensitive lands within those subdivisions, but with no net increase in density. The benefits of clustering residences include reduced land disturbance and built -upon area, reduced infrastructure costs, less impervious surface and better stormwater management, increased open space, and increased wildlife habitat. The clustering of development can also help to maintain open space buffers between homes and neighboring agricultural uses, which also helps to protect Orange County's rural character. The CFE supports the intention to promote flexible designs that preserve more open space (minimum of 33 %) without reducing the allowable number of home sites in a subdivision. Flexible design would also encourage the connection of common open space within subdivisions with existing and planned public trails, greenways, sidewalks, and public streets. The CFE recommends that any clustering of individual off -site septic systems be required to meet or exceed state guidelines for protecting surface and groundwater. The CFE recommends that the Planning Board and its staff consider adding a provision that would encourage the alignment of open spaces for neighboring subdivisions, thereby resulting in a larger contiguous area of open space. The CFE also encourages the Planning Board and its staff to allow the common open space to be used for renewable energy installations where feasible, such as a community solar energy array, as long as the installation avoids sensitive resource areas. Thank you for bringing this matter to the CFE for discussion and feedback. cc: Tom Davis, Patrick Mallett, Rich Shaw GOl2Cl2CG55%Jrib forte tGre F-vIbvzr w t G,% OlZ1Ir�B GOUVi,t� P�f�h12, h0 gOX �1�1 /�6C��01'OUG�GI, NG��j�� 1�� -�f5 -610