[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
To qualify as an open space subdivision, the Planning Board
must find that the subdivision will achieve all of the following purposes
that are applicable to its specific circumstances:
(a) Long-term protection and conservation of existing natural and other
resources and landscapes identified in the Comprehensive Plan, including,
but not limited to:
(1)
State-defined critical areas, and unique natural features located
on the parcel to be subdivided.
(2)
Historic land use patterns and historic structures.
(3)
Points of visual access to or from water bodies, scenic vistas,
and points of access to water bodies.
(4)
Contiguous stands of mature trees.
(b) Maintenance or establishment of compatibility with surrounding land
uses and the overall rural character of the City as defined by the
Comprehensive Plan;
(c) Provision of adequate buffers for adjoining properties where needed;
(d) Contribution to City-wide open space planning by creating a system
of permanently preserved open space, both within large parcels of
land and among such parcels throughout the City, and by encouraging
linkages between open space areas;
(e) Conservation of land suitable or actively used for agriculture and
forestry uses, particularly where the open space subdivision borders
active agricultural or forestry land or land suitable for the same;
(f) Conservation of traditional land uses;
(g) Creation of choices in the type of environment (business or residential)
and type of housing available that will be a long-term asset to Old
Town;
(h) Construction of affordable housing;
(i) Provision of recreation facilities, including active and passive
recreational space, in the most-suitable locations for use consistent
with the other purposes of this performance standard; and
(j) Attainment of planned variety and coordination in the location of
structures, architectural styles, and building forms and relationships.
[Ord. of 8-4-2008]
In order to increase design flexibility, two or more contiguous parcels of land under the same or different ownership, including parcels separated by a public or private road, may be grouped together as one open space subdivision, if the Planning Board finds that such grouping will benefit the City and that it helps achieve the purposes set forth in §
18-132.