Adopt a conservation design policy; use a conservation design tool for pre-design meetings with developers and for negotiating development agreements in cities with undeveloped natural resource areas.
Best Practice of this action
Rating Guideline
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Adopt a conservation design guideline or conservation design model appropriate to the natural resources and habitat of your city as a standard for developers and residents to reference and to guide staff in reviewing subdivisions. |
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Require a pre-proposal meeting as part of the subdivision process where, prior submission of a subdivision or development proposal, a conservation scorecard is discussed with developers and landowners; require a findings of fact be filed by staff or planning commission based on the scorecard or model; scenic viewsheds are explicitly identified and protected. |
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Incorporate a conservation design model or guide into subdivision regulations for greenfield areas with intact or restorable natural systems or resources; entitle a high-quality, multi-functional conservation development. |
Resources
- See The Distinguished Developments Scoring Sheet (see p. 25) - created by the City of Minnetonka Natural Environment Team in 2013.
- Hanover, MN worked with Barr Engineering and the MN Pollution Control Agency to develop a conservation design prototype to guide development of a new neighborhood. The plan features 50% open space with green space adjacent to every backyard, a trail system, habitat creation, distinct neighborhoods with a community park, a natural stormwater management system, minimized paving, a preserved farmstead and windbreak, and passive solar homes orientated to maximize free heating from the sun and cooling from breezes. The prototype was based upon the work of Randall Arendt, who published the 2007 Growing Greener, a free 18-page illustrated guide to creating open space networks and traditional neighborhoods through conservation design.
- Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Rural Planning, Zoning, and Development Codes (US EPA: 2012) is a broad treatment of sustainable rural development covering fiscal impact analysis, annexation policies, commercial development, wastewater infrastructure, agriculture and natural areas, rural roads, and efficient development patterns.
- Relating to mining, processing, or transporting of materials including silica sand, see the MN Environmental Quality Board's Library of Local Government Ordinances & Permits Regulating Silica Sand and Tools to Assist Local Governments in Planning for and Regulating Silica Sand Projects.
- The Rick Harrison Site Design Studio of Golden Valley and his Prefurbia design tools aim to improve traditional suburban subdivision design. Among many features are the ability to maximize privacy and sightlines / viewsheds.
- The Adaptation Workbook (Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science: 2016) is structured to incorporate the potential effects of climate change in land management and conservation actions.
Order Number
4
Action Type
Finite