8A - Conservation Subdivision Design Ordinance

Home Browse Search

8. Old Business a. Conservation Subdivision Design Ordinance The Planning Commission has directed the Staff to prepare for discussion, amendments to the land use ordinance to strengthen the Rural Conservation Subdivision standards. The following is draft language that could be added/modified to the Ordinance. The following definitions would be added to Section 3.2: 1. Common Open Space. Undeveloped land within a conservation subdivision that has been designated, dedicated, reserved, or restricted in perpetuity from further development and is set aside for the use and enjoyment by the residents of the development. Common Open Space shall not be included as parts of individual residential lots. The Common Open Space shall be substantially free of structures, but may contain historic structures and archaeological sites including Native American mounds and/or such recreational facilities for residents as indicated on the approved development plan. 2. Conservation Easement. A Conservation Easement is a legally binding agreement that imposes any limitation or affirmative obligation on any holder's interest in real property. The easement is typically held by a party other than the property owner. The purpose of such an easement can include retaining or protecting natural, scenic, or open space values of real property, assuring the availability of real property for agricultural, forest, recreational, or open space use, protecting natural resources, maintaining or enhancing air or water quality, preserving a burial site, or preserving the historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural aspects of real property. 3. Conservation Subdivision. A residential development that is characterized by compact lots and the retention of common open space, where the natural features of the land are maintained to the greatest extent possible. 4. Conventional Subdivision. A residential development that contains more than to lots not done by Conservation Design. 5. Development Envelope. Designated area in which grading, lawns, pavement, and buildings are planned to be located. 6. Drainageway. A watercourse, gully, dry stream, creek or ditch which concentrates and carries storm/rain water runoff from the land in a manner which creates the potential for significant erosion, siltation, flooding or ponding. A drainageway may be fed by natural overland flow or by constructed means, such as culverts, road ditches, outlets of storm water treatment ponds, or other similar facilities. 7. Gross Acreage.The total area of a parcel. 8. Homeowners Association (HOA). A community association, incorporated or not incorporated, combining individual home ownership with shared use or ownership of common property and/or facilities. 9. LEED. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design of the United States Green Building Council. 10. Non-profit Conservation Organization. Any charitable corporation, charitable association, or charitable trust (such as a land trust), the purposes or powers of which include retaining or protecting the natural,scenic, or open space values of real property, assuring the availability of real property for agricultural, forest, recreational, or open space use, protecting natural resources, maintaining or enhance air or water quality, or preserving City of Pequot Lakes Staff Report to March,2008