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Growth Management Tools for Consideration <br /> 1 . Reduced Residential Densities in the Rural Areas <br /> Definition Reduced residential densities imply a decrease in the number of housing units <br /> allowed per acre in order to keep density low . This may be achieved by establishing a <br /> minimum lot size since the greater the lot size , the lower the density. <br /> Bene ts : <br /> • The costs to provide public facilities are reduced since fewer people will live in the <br /> rural areas . <br /> • Helps protect rural areas , such as prime farmland, sensitive habitat, open space , and <br /> critical watershed areas , as well as maintaining the rural character of the area. <br /> • Reduces traffic and air pollution in the rural areas . <br /> • Encourages higher density and investment in the already urban areas , Chapel Hill, <br /> Carrboro , Hillsborough, and Mebane . <br /> Obstacles . <br /> • The reduction in density must be carefully determined so that it does not actually <br /> promote and encourage sprawl . <br /> • May experience opposition from landowners in the rural areas that wish to develop at <br /> a greater density or at least have the option . <br /> • Will require a commitment from the urban areas , Chapel Hill , Carrboro , <br /> Hillsborough, and Mebane , to increase density within their town limits and invest in <br /> the already urban areas . <br /> Examples : Rural Buffer within Orange County ( 1 unit per 2 acres) <br /> 2 . Major Subdivisions Limited to Areas with Urban Infrastructure Potential <br /> Definition ,* Restricts any major subdivision (five lots or more) development to the urban or <br /> future urban areas of the County that can currently provide .or will provide public services <br /> and infrastructure , such as water and sewer . <br /> Bene ts : <br /> • Easier and less costly access and provision of public facilities and services , as well as <br /> a lesser need to expand these services outside of urban areas . <br /> • Less stress on the rural and environmentally significant areas of the County. <br /> • Directs higher impact growth to areas that can better accommodate it . <br /> Obstacles . <br /> • Requires an amendment or addition to the County ordinance that would restrict major <br /> subdivisions to these areas . <br /> CT ;Comprehensive Minning T.)i %A&T.rkM CPLU("\i&-Februar% �%Nigint Torah for Consideration • "I Olds do c 1 <br />