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Santa Rosa task force adopts engineered-grading exception, renames 'alternative subdivision' as 'conservation community' with 25% open-space requirement
Summary
The county task force agreed on code language allowing limited clearing when justified by an engineered grading plan, and moved to rebrand the former "alternative subdivision" provision as a "conservation community" with a 25% conservation/open-space requirement and guidelines for ponds, setbacks and public maintenance options.
The Santa Rosa County Citizens Land Development Code Task Force on May 2 agreed to add an exception allowing clearing beyond platted rights-of-way when justified by an engineered grading plan for infrastructure or to ensure drainage feasibility, and agreed to rename the draft "alternative subdivision" provision as a "conservation community."
The change to the land development code language — made by unanimous voice agreement during discussion rather than a formal roll-call vote — directs staff to append the phrase "or otherwise justified by an engineered grading plan for other infrastructure improvements or drainage feasibility" to a draft subsection governing clearing adjacent to high groundwater elevations. Task force members said the amendment aims to balance limiting unnecessary clear‑cutting with the practical engineering needs of roads, ponds and utilities in areas with high seasonal groundwater.
The group also reached consensus to reframe and refine the…
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