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62 <br /> NATURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION <br /> Hillsborough has made natural resources protection a goal in its Hillsborough Vision 2030 and the <br /> Strategic Growth Plan. To do this,Hillsborough Vision 2030 recommends protection of known resources <br /> and to document new resources. It explicitly states that local regulations should adequately"identify and <br /> protect fragile resources."The Strategic Growth Plan calls for the preservation of natural resources by <br /> ensuring that"land use patterns should take forms that preserve these key resources including corridors <br /> and buffers." <br /> LAND USE& DEVELOPMENT <br /> The Strategic Growth Plan identifies the rural buffer as a place where the"extension of public utilities <br /> would be avoided,and where rural and environmental preservation are the main objectives."In the town's <br /> UDO, Hillsborough provides natural resource protection measures in the"Requirements for Watershed <br /> Protection Districts." <br /> • "Natural areas as identified in the Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange <br /> County,NC" are identified as environmentally sensitive areas that should be avoided in the <br /> placement of streets, driveways, and buildings. <br /> Under Article 3, Administrative Procedures, 3.5.5 Conditional Subdivisions, development standards <br /> include: <br /> • The identification and protection of existing"irreplaceable natural features"in the site plan as <br /> designated Open Space. <br /> • A minimum of 35% of the land must be set aside for open space <br /> All developments with a required master plan, conditional use permit, or special use permit are required <br /> to set aside a minimum of 10% open space to protect significant natural features. Importantly,the <br /> ordinance calls for open space to be"arranged for contiguity and connectivity within the development <br /> dedicating the open space and to any surrounding dedicated open space for wildlife." <br /> PLANNING &COLLABORATION <br /> Hillsborough Vision 2030 identifies partnerships with local advocacy and nonprofit agencies as a strategy <br /> for protecting and identifying natural resources. <br /> TRANSPORTATION <br /> Hillsborough does not address habitat fragmentation in its transportation plans,nor the dual use of <br /> greenways as wildlife corridors. However,the Parks and Recreation Master Plan does plan to have <br /> connected trails within Hillsborough to provide connectivity for pedestrians. <br /> WAKE COUNTY <br /> Wake County's unified development ordinance as well as the following plans were reviewed: Wake <br /> County Transportation Plan (2003), Wake County Environmental Stewardship Agenda (2006, 2011), <br /> Southwest Wake Area Land Use Plan (2007), Wake County Land Use Plan (last amended 2006), Wake <br /> County Consolidated Open Space Master Plan (2003,2006), Wake County Greenway System Plan <br /> (2017), Wake County Park Facility Master Plan Updates Final Report(2017),and the Comprehensive <br /> Parks &Recreation Master Plan (2008). <br /> At the time of this report,the county is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan(PlanWake). In <br /> addition,Wake County's Open Space Program staff members are currently interested in updating Wake <br /> County's inventory of natural areas with the help of NCNHP. <br /> A Landscape Plan for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity 49 <br />