Laserfiche WebLink
Diversified Rural: Protecting land for rural lifestyles and <br />long-term urbanization <br />Diversified Rural communities are home to a variety of farm and non -farm land uses including <br />very large -lot residential, clustered housing, hobby farms and agricultural uses. Located <br />adjacent to the Emerging Suburban Edge of the Urban Service Area, Diversified Rural <br />designation protects rural land for rural lifestyles today and potential urbanized levels of <br />development sometime after 2040.Large portions of communities in the Diversified Rural area <br />also contain prime agricultural soils, located primarily in Scott and Washington counties. <br />There is a portion of the region's population that is interested in rural and small town living. For <br />communities in the Diversified Rural area, the Council supports the clustering of homes to meet <br />that demand, but done in a manner that protects high quality and locally -prioritized natural areas <br />and open spaces, and also preserves lands for potential future post-2040 urban development. <br />In August 2008, the Council adopted Flexible Residential Development Ordinance Guidelines <br />for the Diversified Rural Area that describe the factors that communities should take into <br />account if they are considering allowing residential development at densities greater than 4 units <br />per 40 acres. Including the following points: <br />1. Include the need to reserve land resources for efficient future urban development as part <br />of the ordinance purpose. <br />2. Identify the land characteristics required to support future urbanization. <br />3. Allow no more than 25% of the developable land in a project to be developed, reserving <br />larger future urbanization parcels. <br />4. Protect future urbanization parcels with temporary development agreements, <br />easements, or deed restrictions. <br />5. Provide for the rezoning of the future urbanization parcels to a residential zoning <br />classification at densities consistent with Council policy at such time that urban services <br />are available. <br />6. Encourage the use of community wastewater treatment systems to serve the temporary <br />cluster. <br />For those communities on the edge of the urbanizing area, designated as a Long -Term Service <br />Area for the Regional Wastewater System, a cluster ordinance should be developed and <br />implemented to provide for interim land uses without precluding the opportunity for future urban - <br />density development. <br />Orderly and Efficient Land Use <br />Council Role <br />• Work with communities to plan development patterns that will protect natural resources, <br />preserve areas where post-2040 growth can be provided with cost-effective and efficient <br />urban infrastructure, and support forecasted growth through 2040 without the provision of <br />regional urban services. <br />• Promote development practices and patterns that protect the integrity of the region's <br />water supply and the quality and quantity of water resources. <br />DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT <br />Last revised: February 21, 2014 107 <br />