Key Features of Conservation Conventional Zoning Conventional Subdivision Development Scenic Views into extends to regulat- Development: A Need for Change site are blocked ed edge of wetlands by houses ost of the development in Rhode Forest buffers Important natural, cultural, and Island follows a conventional subdi- are fragmented 1 recreational resources are identified M vision scheme. Local ordinances for permanent protection. mandate rigid requirements for large lot size, set- Development is flexibly designed back distance, and road frontage, which leads to 2 from the context of the site, neigh- uniform, grid-like development patterns. Since borhood, and community. there are no provisions to preserve any open space, all the land in a community will eventually be Development is guided to the areas developed, making it impossible to protect the 3 of the site that are the most appro- 100% of the site priate. area’s unique features and meaningful open space. is developed Developing land in this way actually encourages Preserved Open Space is carefully loss of community character and increases negative Road is built over stream crossing, polluting planned for links to adjacent parcels water with oil, road salt, and sand 4 impacts to the environment. It is inevitable that No pasturelands remain; to form continuous open space corri- development will occur, but the problem is not rural character is lost dors. growth itself, rather the way it is happening.

With Conservation Development, towns do not have to buy or main- Conservation Development Scenic Views from Meaningful open Growing Greener tain the open space. Moreover, the road are preserved space is preserved Vegetated buffer protects as scenic pastures wetlands and habitat planning flexibility of Conservation and meadows Development allows common open There is an alternative. Conservation Development is a creative land use technique that allows a communi- space areas to be linked to existing greenways to form continuous corri- ty to guide growth to the most appropriate areas dors. within a parcel of land, in order to minimize nega- tive impacts to the environment and preserve com- munity character. The goal is to protect at least By carefully situating houses and fifty percent of the parcel in perpetuity as meaning- lot lines, Conservation Development ful open space, with no cost to the community. protects natural and cultural ameni- As more of Rhode Island is developed, protecting ties that add not only to the econom- 50% Open Space is pro- ic value of the property, but to the Large, uninterrupted tracts of open space is getting harder and more expensive tected in perpetuity. forested woodland are maintained for communities. quality of life as well. Rural character of the community is preserved. Conservation Development Advantages of Not ready to lose your Conservation town’s special places? Environmental Development Advantages: § Preserves vegetated buffers along wetlands, streams, and ponds to protect water quality. The Conservation

§ Reduces polluted runoff by cutting down on Development Manual impervious surfaces like streets and driveways.

§ Protects critical habitat and travel corridors for · RI DEM has developed a guidance man- wildlife. ual that walks you through the process of § Reduces fragmentation of forest blocks and building a Conservation Development other unique habitats. subdivision, step by step.

Social and Recreational · Each step addresses the who, what, Advantages: where, when, and how of each part of the process. It provides checklists to keep § Protects historical and cultural features. you on track, resources to help guide you, § Preserves aesthetic features and scenic views. and ideas of how to identify and preserve features of the landscape. § Provides both passive and active recreation areas-- walking, biking, hiking, sport fields. Economic Advantages: § Promotes a neighborhood/community atmost- phere. § Preserves land without buying it. § Provides gathering spaces for neighborhood functions-- community buildings, gazebos, etc. § Reduces town services costs for road mainte- nance and school transportation.

§ Hastens review process by avoiding sensitive areas early on. CONSERVATION

§ Reduces development costs with shorter utility lines, streets, driveways and sidewalks. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: DEVELOPMENT

§ Increases value and marketability of site. DEM Sustainable Watersheds A CREATIVE WAY TO GROW Office at 401-222-3434 or visit WHILE PRESERVING COMMU- our web site at www.rib- NITY CHARACTER asins.org