Purpose

The purposes of conservation subdivision/land development project design are:

(A) To encourage the preservation of open space for its scenic beauty and the appropriate use thereof;

(B) To preserve historical and archeological resources;

(C) To protect natural resources, including but not limited to those containing woodlands, unique vegetation, streams, floodplains, wetlands, recharge areas, agricultural lands, wellheads, and vernal pools, by setting them aside from development;

(D) To protect the value of real property;

(E) To promote more sensitive siting of buildings and roads, and better overall site planning;

(F) To provide a buffer between new development and existing streets, neighborhoods active farmland, and adjacent park or conservation land;

(G) To perpetuate the appearance of Middletown's traditional rural/agricultural landscape;

(H) To allow landowners a reasonable return on their investment while also reducing the infrastructure costs for development;

(I) To facilitate the construction and maintenance of streets, utilities, and public services in a more economical and efficient manner;

(J) To offer an alternative to conventional subdivision development;

(K) To provide for a diversity of lot sizes, building densities, and housing choices to accommodate a variety of age and income groups, and residential preferences, so that the population diversity of the community may be maintained;

(L) To create neighborhoods with direct visual and/or physical access to open land, with amenities in the form of neighborhood open space, and with a strong neighborhood identity;

(M) To implement adopted land use, transportation and community service policies, as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan.

(Ord. 08-05, passed 5-19-08)