Draft code offers conservation subdivision option to preserve open space
Summary
The draft code includes a conservation residential subdivision path (RCD) that would allow smaller lots and increased housing units while requiring roughly 30% open space held in conservation easement, intended to preserve streams, trees and trails.
The presenter described a conservation residential subdivision (RCD) option intended to preserve open space while permitting higher housing yields than standard subdivisions.
Under the option, an R2 district could pursue conservation development that preserves about 30% of a site as open space in a conservation easement; the presenter said this would trade larger, cookie-cutter 0.5-acre lots for smaller lots, more custom or semi-custom housing, trails and reduced infrastructure demands. The presenter illustrated a hypothetical comparison in which a conservation development yields more housing units (for example, 80 units versus 32 under a typical subdivision) while preserving a larger share of open space.
The presenter said RCD standards require a minimum open-space percentage and will be supported by design guidance in the code to keep development sensitive to streams, trees and other environmental resources.
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