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54 <br /> • Objective PR-5.4 is to"encourage development of a system of private open space and <br /> conservation areas, including nature preserves,parks, linear parks, and scenic vistas compatible <br /> with the character of Orange County." <br /> LAND USE& DEVELOPMENT <br /> In the Land Use Element: <br /> • Goal 1 sets the goal of sustainable growth, including environmentally responsible growth. <br /> o Objective LU-1.1 emphasizes locating higher intensity/high density residential and non- <br /> residential development to avoid areas with protected natural and cultural resources. <br /> • Goal 2 is to create land uses that are appropriate to on-site environmental conditions and features, <br /> and that protect natural resources, cultural resources, and community character. <br /> o Objective LU-2.2 is to continue to protect valuable resource land such as...natural <br /> areas...through the County's Lands Legacy Program, and by directing incompatible <br /> development away from these areas through land use and zoning policies and regulations. <br /> • Goal 5 is to keep life,health, and property safe from hazards. <br /> o Objective LU-5.1 prohibits new development in special flood hazard areas. <br /> Under Natural& Cultural Systems Element, Goal 8: <br /> • Objective NA-10 is to"require that all major subdivisions...include within their boundaries open <br /> space suitable for low-impact recreation and wildlife habitat." <br /> • Objective NA-13 "promote[s] clustering of residential development and dedication of large areas <br /> of undisturbed land for low-impact recreational use by residents and for wildlife habitat. Where <br /> feasible,these areas should be contiguous to neighboring tracts of undisturbed land." <br /> • Objective NA-14 is to"encourage developers and neighborhood associations to protect <br /> undeveloped community open space through formal conservation agreements." <br /> For the Future Land Use classification map in Appendix G, Land Use Classification and Overlay <br /> Locational Criteria, land was evaluated to determine the suitability of certain locations to contain various <br /> land uses.Areas that are determined to be protected land uses are based on an evaluation of steep slopes, <br /> floodplains,rare species, and historic and cultural features. Resource Protection Areas (as an overlay) are <br /> "located in areas that contain significant and natural areas and wildlife habitats, including connecting <br /> wildlife corridors, as identified by local, state, or federal inventories." The New Hope Corridor Open <br /> Space overlay is designated to contain areas of"great diversity, including regionally rare plant species, <br /> hardwood trees of size and number uncommon for their location, and important wildlife habitat."All <br /> other land use classes are to be purposefully"located away from sites that would,if developed,create a <br /> threat to unique or endangered species as identified by the state or federal government." <br /> Under Section 7, General Design Standards of the Orange County UDO,the Planning Department is <br /> directed to review development proposals to ensure that the land is suitable for the development being <br /> proposed. Suitability criteria include potential for flooding, soil drainage, drainage patterns, slope,historic <br /> sites,maximum anticipated levels of land disturbance for the project and all proposed individual lots, and <br /> unique natural features. Developments proposed for areas identified in Natural Heritage Inventories must <br /> include strategies to minimize impacts to the resources, such as clustering lots, conservation easements, <br /> etc. Open space is required of developments as well. Under Flexible Developments, 7.12,protected <br /> common open space must be set aside at a minimum of 33% and a maximum of 60%of the development <br /> site, depending on minimum residential lot size. The open space layout should provide"connectivity and <br /> compatibility with both existing development and other types of open spaces."The types of common <br /> open space provided in Flexible Developments include Primary Open Space Areas and Secondary Open <br /> Space Areas. Primary Open Space areas must be included toward the 33%minimum open space <br /> requirement, and Secondary areas can be included only after all Primary areas have been included. <br /> Primary Open Space Areas include: <br /> A Landscape Plan for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity 41 <br />