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<br />Staff Comment: Not applicable. <br /> <br /> Planning Principle 2. Sustainable Growth and Development: Growth and development <br />within the county should occur in a pattern, location, and density that is sustainable <br />over the long-term. <br /> <br />Staff Comment: The proposed R-CD zoning district to allow for single-family dwellings <br />is consistent with the Rural Community Activity Node Land Use Classification <br />(Appendix F: Relationships Between Land Use Classifications and Zoning Districts). <br />The proposed lot count for the future subdivision does not exceed the maximum <br />density permitted by the density regulations in the UDO. The applicant proposes a <br />Flexible Subdivision following the Conservation Cluster model, which concentrates <br />the development outside of environmentally sensitive areas and maintains contiguous <br />Common Open Space on 25.11 acres, or 41.11% of the parcel subject to rezoning. <br /> <br />A conditional zoning district is required to permit a Major Subdivisions of 21 lots or <br />more, allowing for legislative review of the proposed site plan by the Planning Board <br />and Board of County Commissioners to assess its suitability and apply site-specific <br />conditions to ensure any unique aspects of the project not captured within typical <br />development standards are met. <br /> <br /> Planning Principle 3A. Encouragement of Energy Efficiency, Lower Energy <br />Consumption, and the Use of Non-Polluting Renewable Energy Resource: <br />Decreasing the use of non-renewable resources and lowering energy consumption <br />are encouraged in both public and private activities. The county’s transportation <br />system should be enhanced to promote more energy efficient modes of travel and <br />improve air quality. <br /> <br />Staff Comment: Not applicable. <br /> <br /> Planning Principle 4. Natural Area Resource Protection: Protection of the County’s <br />natural areas, including forests, wildlife habitat, and other important open spaces <br />should be a priority. The County should work with regional and local organizations, <br />the towns, and private landowners to promote and achieve preservation of the <br />County’s important natural resources. <br /> <br />Staff Comment: The applicant provided an Environmental Assessment and an <br />Environmental Impact Statement as part of the application package. County staff has <br />reviewed and determined no significant environmental impact is expected from this <br />project based on existing conditions. The proposed Conservation Cluster Flexible <br />Development Subdivision has taken the identified environmental features into <br />consideration in its design and construction commitments to minimize negative <br />impacts. Environmentally sensitive features have been preserved in dedicated open <br />space and or committed landscaping. <br /> <br />132