What is a Conservation Subdivision

A Conservation Subdivision provides an innovative way to protect water quality, retain wildlife, and preserve rural character.

“surveys show that many people value their community’s rural character, but few realize this cherished character is programmed to disappear. That’s right, programmed. Local zoning and subdivision ordinances serve as blueprints for converting undeveloped forests and fields into residential, commercial and industrial lots. Except for permanently protected open space, sooner or later those beloved woods and meadows are almost certain to disappear.”(1) Conservation Subdivisions-Nemo Project fact sheet #9.

There are four main steps in creating a Conservation Subdivision:

Step One: Locate conservation areas by identifying preservation lands in two steps. First delineate and identify Primary Conservation Areas, such as wetlands, riverfront areas, and flood planes, regulated by federal, provincial, or local bylaws, as well as vernal pools and direct recharge areas for public water supply wells and ground water aquifers. Second, identify Secondary Conservation Areas, including steep slopes, mature woodlands, agricultural land, meadows, significant wildlife habitat, historical and archaeological features, and scenic views on to or off of the site.

Step Two: Locate housing sites. Locate the approximate location of individual houses within the Potentially Developable Area and include the delineation of private yards and shared amenities, so as to reflect an integrated community. The number of homes enjoying the amenities of the development, (views, abutting common open space etc), should be maximized.

Step Three: Align streets and trails. Align streets in order to efficiently access the house lots and minimize impacts to the Primary and Secondary Conservation Areas. Also lay out new trails to create connections amongst houses, conservation areas, and existing and future streets, trails and green spaces.

Step Four: Lot Lines. Draw in the lot lines and delineate common open space.

It is the social responsibility of today’s planners and developers to look further than the conventional 5-10-20 year planning horizons. We must look 50-100-150 years into the future.

Will there be any green space left in the valley bottoms or will there be a continuous strip of development as found in some of Colorado’s mountain valleys today. We can work together to permanently protect the greenspace by utilizing an innovative conservation design that will preserve the environment.

_{Illustrations from Randall G. Arendt: Conservation Design for Subdivisions, 1996 Eg.}