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65 <br /> Town of Apex <br /> The Town of Apex's unified development ordinance and the following plans were reviewed: Town of <br /> Apex Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update(2011),2045 Updated Future Land Use Map(2019), <br /> Town of Apex 2035 Land Use Plan Update I Economic Study and Market Analysis(2016), and Peak Plan <br /> 2030(2013). <br /> NATURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION <br /> Apex's Peak Plan 2030, the comprehensive plan,recommends encouraging"low impact site development <br /> and more ecologically designed and sustainable sites with functional landscapes." <br /> The Advance Apex: The 2045 Land Use Map Update memo identifies the western portion of Apex,where <br /> buffers around Jordan Lake, floodplains, and other natural lands occur, as low-density rural residential <br /> zoning,where there is only 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres. <br /> LAND USE& DEVELOPMENT <br /> Apex's UDO provides specific purposes for its adoption, including the prevention of adverse <br /> environmental impacts and the discouragement of sprawl,which will help reduce habitat fragmentation. <br /> Tools the UDO provides the community to achieve this include: <br /> • Planned Development Districts: development that encourages protection of natural features and <br /> cluster and compact development to the greatest extent possible <br /> • CB Conservation Buffer District: publicly owned natural lands <br /> • Sustainable Development Conditional Zoning District: development that facilitates the restoration <br /> and enhancement of the environment and natural resources <br /> • Watershed Protection Overlay Districts: to protect public drinking water supplies in the Swift <br /> Creek Watershed and the Jordan Lake Watershed <br /> o Provides 100-foot and 50-foot buffers on perennial and intermittent streams,respectively. <br /> In practice,these buffer widths can provide wildlife passage for many species. <br /> In Article 8 General Development Standards,Resource Conservation standards are applicable to all new <br /> development. These standards aim to"to encourage site design techniques that preserve the natural and <br /> cultural environment and enhance the developed environment;to control erosion, slippage, and sediment <br /> run-off into streams and waterways;to increase slope stability; and to protect wildlife habitat and <br /> migration corridors."Resource Conservation Areas (RCAs) in new developments must be located <br /> adjacent to other existing RCAs or natural features and be composed of the following priority undisturbed <br /> natural areas: riparian or floodplain habitats, forests, steep slopes, significant plant and wildlife habitat, <br /> scenic views,rock outcrops, etc. Measures are included to provide alternative RCAs when these natural <br /> features do not exist. The size of RCAs is determined by the presence of resources and Town Council. <br /> PLANNING &COLLABORATION <br /> There are no policies to encourage planning and collaboration to protect Apex's natural resources. <br /> TRANSPORTATION <br /> The Town of Apex Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update aims to invest in a transportation network <br /> that supports the protection of natural resources. Connected parks and greenways are mentioned many <br /> times as a way to provide multimodal transportation. The plan aims for greater connectivity of collector <br /> streets,while also minimizing impacts to natural resources. <br /> 52 A Landscape Plan for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity <br />