Wednesday, December 5, 2001
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Wednesday, December 5, 2001 |
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Commission to discuss conservation subdivisions again By DAVE
HAMRICK
A large pile of unfinished business, including a proposed "conservation subdivision" ordinance, awaits the Fayette County Commission at its meeting this afternoon. Commissioners meet at 3:30 p.m. at the County Administrative Complex, 140 Stonewall Ave., Fayetteville. The concept of conservation subdivisions, designed to encourage more permanent green space, and a spate of minor changes to zoning ordinances and the county Comprehensive Growth Management Plan were tabled from the commission's Oct. 25 meeting to give the group more time to study the proposals. Part of the county's participation in the state's green space program, a new conservation subdivision zoning category would allow developers more flexibility in lot sizes in exchange for more creativity in designing subdivisions, and setting aside permanent green space. Under the state program, metropolitan Atlanta counties are being urged to adopt a goal of setting aside 20 percent of their land as green space, and Fayette answered the call by adopting that goal and accepting more than $700,000 the first year, slightly less than that in the second year, to help facilitate it. The funding is shared by the county and its cities. Commissioners in October said they like the goal of setting aside green space in subdivisions, but don't want to create a situation in which developers can "average" lot sizes and increase overall density. Under the proposal, recommended unanimously by the Planning Commission, developers who want to take advantage of the concept would have to submit a "yield plan" showing that their plans for "conservation" subdivisions would yield no more homes than the current zoning would allow without the special consideration. Open spaces could be used only for passive recreation such as trails and paths, picnic areas and horse stables for the use of subdivision residents only, and any improvements would be limited. The green space would have to be owned by a mandatory home owners association or donated to a land trust, a conservation organization or the county. In addition to the new category, commissioners will consider numerous changes to county ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan recommended by the planning staff and Planning Commission in order to comply with the Atlanta Regional Commission's Regional Development Plan. New business on the agenda today consists of two appointments to the Planning Commission, two to the Zoning Board of Appeals and one to the Library Board.
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