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Article 7: Subdivisions <br /> Section 7.12: Flexible Developments <br /> <br /> <br />Orange County, North Carolina – Unified Development Ordinance Page 7-59 <br /> <br />(b) When lots and access streets are laid out, they shall be located in such <br />a way that avoids or at least minimizes impacts on both Primary and <br />Secondary Conservation Open Space Areas. <br />(c) To the greatest extent practical, wetland crossings and streets <br />traversing slopes over 15% shall be strongly discouraged unless such <br />streets link one buildable portion of a site with another and no other <br />means of access is available. <br />(4) Drawing in the Lot Lines <br />(a) Lot lines shall be drawn around potential house sites. <br />(b) Each lot must contain a buildable area of sufficient size to <br />accommodate a single-family detached dwelling and customary <br />accessory uses, including, but not limited to, storage buildings and <br />garages, patios and decks, lawns, and driveways. <br />(c) Individual wells and septic systems, where these are to be provided, <br />may be located within the undivided conservation lands if sufficient <br />space is not available on the lots. <br />7.13.87.12.9 Evaluation Criteria <br />(A) Generally <br />(1) All open space planning shall show consideration of the specific physical <br />characteristics of the land parcel being developed, meet open space design <br />goals, and adhere to the three fundamental land characteristics of open space as <br />set forth in Section 7.13.3(B)(5).7.12.4. <br />(2) At any given site, the types of resources may vary widely in character (e.g., a <br />natural area compared to a historic site) and each type of resource may have <br />areas of greater or lesser significance (e.g., a notable example of local <br />vernacular building traditions compared to a much altered older home). Priorities <br />for conserving such resources should therefore be based upon a thorough site <br />analysis and an understanding of what is more special, unique, noteworthy, <br />environmentally sensitive, and/or historic as compared with other similar features <br />or different types of resources. <br />(3) In evaluating the layout of lots and open space, the criteria in (B) through (G) <br />below will be considered as indicating design appropriate to the site's features <br />and meeting the intent of the Flexible Development standards. <br />(4) Whereas diversity and originality in lot layout are encouraged, it is recognized <br />that not all objectives may be achieved on a given site. Each applicant must <br />therefore to achieve the best possible relationship between development and <br />preservation objectives. <br />(B) Criteria Applicable to all Flexible Development Projects <br />The following criteria apply to all Flexible Development projects: <br />(1) The shape and placement of open space shall meet the following: <br />(a) Be reasonably contiguous; <br />(b) Be coherently configured; <br />(c) Shall abut existing or potential open space on adjacent properties; <br />(d) Be supportive of stated open space goals; <br />(e) Should not be overly fragmented as to minimize edges; and <br /> 89