A conservation subdivision shall comply with the following standards:
A. Location. Conservation subdivisions shall be configured to minimize their visibility from adjacent lands and major roadways.
B. Minimum Project Size. Consecrations subdivisions shall be at least 10 acres in area.
C. Required Conservation Area.
1. The required conservation area shall occupy at least 50 percent of the total acreage of the conservation subdivision site, but nothing shall limit it from occupying more than 50 percent of a conservation subdivision site.
2. The conservation area shall be considered open space set-aside subject to the applicable standards in Section 5.7, Open Space.
D. Maximum Residential Density. A conservation subdivision shall be limited to the maximum density for a conservation subdivision in the zoning district in which it is located. Nothing shall prevent a conservation subdivision from increasing the maximum allowable residential density in accordance with Section 5.12, Sustain ability Incentives.
E. Dimensional Requirements. Conservation subdivision lots shall comply with the dimensional standards for the zoning district where located. Conservation subdivisions in a PD district shall comply with the dimensional requirements specified in the PD Master Plan.
F. Setbacks.
1. Conservation subdivision lots shall comply with the setback requirements for the zoning district where located.
2. Conservation subdivision lots in the PD district shall comply with the setback requirements specified in the PD Master Plan.
3. Lots in a conservation subdivision shall comply with required setbacks from streets, wetlands/surface waters, or other protected natural areas.
G. Maximum Lot Coverage.
1. Conservation subdivision lots shall comply with the maximum lot coverage requirements for the zoning district where located.
2. Conservation subdivision lots in the PD district shall comply with the maximum lot coverage requirements specified in the PD Master Plan.
H. On-Site Wastewater. With approval from the appropriate county health department, individual septic systems and drain lines may be located within the conservation area, provided:
1. Easements shall be recorded showing the location of systems within conservation area;
2. Restrictive covenants shall provide for access, maintenance, and upkeep of systems located in the conservation area; and
3. All septic systems shall be operated in compliance with State and local regulations.
I. Grading. In order to promote land development practices that maximize the preservation of natural vegetation, minimize disturbance to vegetation and soils, limit alteration of the natural topography, minimize surface water and ground water runoff and diversion, minimize the need for additional storm drainage facilities, reduce sedimentation in surrounding waters and promote land development and site planning practices that are responsive to the town's scenic character without preventing the reasonable development of land; the initial clearing and grading of all conservation subdivisions shall be limited to dedicated public rights-of-way and easements for the installation of streets, utilities, and other infrastructure. All grading activities shall be done in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, including those pertaining to air and water pollution and noise control.
1. Infrastructure. Grading for infrastructure improvements (streets, sidewalks, curb, gutter, water, sewer, utilities, stormwater, spoil and borrow areas, etc.) shall be phased according to the Master Plan. Prior to proceeding to another phase, the developer shall stabilize the present phase with adequate ground cover sufficient to restrain erosion and have all infrastructure installed.
2. Lots. Grading of individual lots within any conservation subdivision shall not begin without having first obtained a building permit from the Town of Zebulon and shall be limited to those areas comprising the building footprint, driveway and a minimal area surrounding the building footprint to accommodate construction equipment.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019; Ord. 2021-44, passed 11-2-2020)