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and developers to achieve full density parts of the site are within the open value 13 percent more over a 20 year
<br /> under the municipality's current space conservation area. period than the conventionally
<br /> zoning. The second advantage occurs dur- designed subdivision(which had much
<br /> Although conservation zoning pre- ing marketing and sales,when devel- larger individual houselots,but little
<br /> cl>,full-density layouts that do not opers and realtors can capitalize on the community open space).2
<br /> coWe open space,this is legal amenities that have been preserved or In conservation subdivisions with
<br /> because there is no constitutional provided within the development. substantial open space,there is little or
<br /> "right to sprawl." These positive features can form the no correlation between lot size and
<br /> Second,no land is taken for public basis for an environmentally-oriented price.These developments have some-
<br /> use. None of the land which is required marketing strategy highlighting the times been described as"golf course
<br /> to be designated for conservation pur- benefits of living in a community communities without the golf course," '
<br /> poses becomes public (or even publicly where forest habitat,meadows,wet- underscoring the idea that a house on a
<br /> accessible) unless the landowner or land buffers,and/or productive farm- small lot with a great view is frequently
<br /> developer wants it to be. In the vast land has been preserved. worth as much or more than the same
<br /> majority of situations,municipalities A national survey of homebuyers house on a larger lot which is boxed in
<br /> themselves have no desire to own and conducted in 1994 by American Lives on all sides by other houses.
<br /> manage such conservation land,which revealed that of 39 features critical to -
<br /> they generally feel should be a neigh- their choice,homebuyers ranked"lots ii, ,. /
<br /> borhood responsibility. of natural open space" and plenty of i"�,�
<br /> I, A • ,, , ,x 11
<br /> The "economics" of "walking and biking paths" as the third 1),: F % ,,«,
<br /> and fourth highest rated factors affect- ;` �' Y �;
<br /> conservation subdivisions "
<br /> The first advantage of conservation ing their`decisions.'
<br /> subdivision design is the opportunity it
<br /> The`art of marketing conserva-
<br /> tion subdivisions emphasizes that buy-
<br /> offers to reduce infrastructure engi- .
<br /> ers of smaller lots are actually
<br /> neering and construction costs.
<br /> purchasing much more than their indi-
<br /> Because the development pattern is p g Ponds at Woodward development.Kennett
<br /> vidual lots.With open space ranging Township,Chester County,Pennsylvania.
<br /> more compact,street and utility costs from 50 to 65 percent,sales strategies
<br /> araced. In addition,conservation
<br /> focusing on this kind of amenity strike *Wildlife
<br /> design can reduce the number of costly a responsive chord among many home- management benefits
<br /> wetland crossings needed,since those
<br /> buyers,particularlywhen lots are laid
<br /> Y Conservation biologists tell us that
<br /> �ia, •. a. ,' ,rte; out to maximize views of the conserva-
<br /> tion riparian woodlands along rivers,' land. creeks,and streams offer our best hope
<br /> °' When the conservation area abuts for creating a system of interconnect-
<br /> er
<br /> it ' a.,` 'r' `` other similar land,as in the communi- ing corridors for a variety of wildlife—
<br /> ir tt;,1-".
<br /> r1 � . ty-wide open space network,a further from aquatic organisms and fish to
<br /> V. Y�•t �,, I ;, marketing advantage exists. amphibians and small terrestrial main-
<br /> '
<br /> # t i mals (such as raccoons,muskrats,and
<br /> 0 r.R - ©How do residential values
<br /> ,, Lo otters)—that link the aquatic system
<br /> � ' in conservation subdivisions
<br /> j 1" „."� } e--•-*^�:, - to the adjoining upland.
<br /> l Jam:. ' compare t0 conventional Natural areas preserved in conser-
<br /> ,.._�
<br /> 111
<br /> . - , ",,,- .-,_-- ;� subdivisions? vation subdivisions provide important
<br /> D. - ...�a+=a 4' :...',.. "-,-,,,,....:4+4.....;; Homes in conservation subdivi- habitat for wildlife to dwell in and tray-
<br /> , • ` wz"`* :• .- sions tend to appreciate in value faster el through.The greenways that are one
<br /> than their counterparts in conventional of the hallmarks of conservation sub-
<br /> develop .
<br /> ::,i.., developments.A fairly long-term study
<br /> ' division design provide cover and
<br /> comparing two Amherst,Massachu- naturally selected corridors for various
<br /> - setts,subdivisions built at about the species to move through,as they travel
<br /> same time,with very similar homes
<br /> that originally sold for almost the same 1 See page 5 for citation
<br /> b " price,found that homes in the"open
<br /> ( space"subdivision(which included 2 Jeff Lacy,"An Examination of Market Apprecia-
<br /> tion for Clustered Housing With Permanent Open
<br /> more woodlands,meadows,and trails, Space."Center for Rural Massachusetts 1990.For
<br /> but smaller house lots) appreciated in information,call:413-545-2612.
<br /> PLANNING COMMISSIONERS JOURNAL / NUMBER 33 / WINTER 1 9 9 9
<br /> MI
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