This Section provides an optional process and standards for cluster housing development. The Section is intended to encourage and allow for new concepts of traditional housing development so that variations of design may be allowed, provided that the net residential density shall be no greater than permitted in the district in which the development is proposed. This shall not be construed as granting variances to relieve hardship.
A conventional subdivision generally covers the entire developable portion of a site with residential lots. These lots are equal to or greater than a required minimum size designed to approximate the maximum permitted development density under the zoning regulations. A cluster subdivision allows for the reduction in the lot square footage minimum and setbacks provided that non-regulatory or bonus open space is provided. This permits greater net densities on portions of the site while permanently preserving additional open space and other important environmental resources such as those identified in the Open Space and Historic Resources Plan.
This type of development is more sensitive to the natural environment by reducing the total amount of disturbance that may occur to the land in comparison to a conventional development while allowing the developer to reduce site improvement costs. The use of clustered subdivisions is not intended to allow increased density for undevelopable or unusable land already protected by other provisions of this Ordinance. The remnant land not designated as building lots is required to be left undeveloped, and must serve the purpose of effective buffering, passive recreation, and protection of significant vegetation, historic resources or scenic qualities.