Purpose

The purposes of this section [article], entitled "Conservation Developments," are:

• • A. To conserve open land by setting aside from development those areas containing unique and sensitive natural features such as woodlands, steep slopes, streams, floodplains, wetlands, reservoirs and their drainage areas, and agricultural lands;

  • B. To preserve historical, agricultural and archaeological resources;

  • C. To provide greater design flexibility and efficiency in the siting of services and infrastructure, including the opportunity to reduce length of streets, utility runs, and the amount of paving required for residential development;

  • D. To provide for a diversity of lot sizes and layouts;

  • E. To provide housing choices for various age and income groups and residential preferences to maintain population diversity in the community;

  • F. To implement adopted municipal policies to conserve a variety of irreplaceable and environmentally important resources as set forth in the comprehensive plan;

  • G. To provide reasonable incentives for the creation of a greenway/trail system within the town;

  • H. To implement land use, housing, environmental and open space policies as set forth in the comprehensive plan;

  • I. To protect areas with productive agricultural soils for continued or future agricultural use by conserving blocks of land large enough to allow for efficient farm operations;

  • J. To create neighborhoods with direct visual and/or physical access to open land, with amenities in the form of neighborhood open space, and strong neighborhood identities;

  • K. To provide for the maintenance of open land set aside for active or passive recreational use, stormwater drainage or conservation;

  • L. To conserve and create scenic views and preserve the rural character of the town, particularly along existing streets;

  • M. To provide buffers between new developments and existing neighborhoods, delicate natural features and habitats; and,

  • N. To encourage low impact development (LID) techniques to control and reduce stormwater impacts.

(Ord. of 2-3-2025(1), § 1(Exh. A))