§ 340-9.3
Flexible design residential projects
[Added 7-13-2020 by Ord. No. 2019-23]
These regulations are established to allow the Board flexibility in approving subdivisions on private roads or with reduced lot frontage.
- A. Purpose. Flexible design residential projects (FDRP) are:
- (1) To encourage the preservation of open space for its scenic beauty and the appropriate use thereof;
- (2) To preserve historical and archeological resources;
- (3) To protect the natural environment and the varied landscapes of Johnston;
- (4) To protect the value of real property;
- (5) To promote more sensitive siting of buildings and better overall site planning;
- (6) To perpetuate the appearance of the Town's traditional New England landscape;
- (7) To allow landowners a reasonable return on their investment and to reward landowners with reduced infrastructure costs and density bonuses;
- (8) To facilitate the construction and maintenance of streets, utilities, and public services in a more economical and efficient manner; and
- (9) To offer an alternative to conventional subdivision development.
- B. Approval procedure. The Board may approve, in accordance with the regulations, a FDRP in zoning districts where allowed in § 340-8 of this chapter. Application must be made in accordance with the procedures of the regulations.
- C. Lot frontage and width, flexible provisions. The Board may grant a waiver pursuant to the regulations to permit lot frontage and lot width variations in all residential zones. In no case may the lot width and lot frontage be less than 20 feet.
- (1) To grant this waiver the Board must find that:
- (a) Using flexible zoning is in the best interest of good planning design as evidenced by consistency with the Comprehensive Community Plan and the Zoning Ordinance; and
- (b) Would result in a better use of the land than permitted under conventional zoning.
- (2) Open space lots, within an approved conservation development may have zero frontage on a street, if the Board approves private access to the open space by easement.
- (1) To grant this waiver the Board must find that:
- D. Maximum density for FDRP. A conventional yield plan, as defined, must be submitted as part of the waiver request. The total number of lots permitted in FDRP shall not exceed the number of lots shown in the conventional yield plan.
- E. Modification of lot requirements.
- (1) Applicants are encouraged to modify, lot size, shape, and other dimensional characteristics within an FDRP.
- (2) Lots must conform to all dimensional requirements except frontage for the applicable zone.
- F. Streets. Streets within an FDRP may be publicly or privately owned and maintained. Streets shall be designed to conform with the standards of the Town where the street is or may be ultimately intended for dedication and acceptance by the Town, Private streets shall be adequate for the intended use and vehicular traffic and shall be maintained by an association of unit owners or such other means or entity as may be approved by the Board.