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Conservation
subdivisions, also known as conservation developments, refer
to housing developments which are designed to have minimal impact
on the landscape, and which include some conservation of acreage
within the subdivision.
In many cases, land trusts work with the developer
to hold an easement on the undeveloped open space in the subdivision.
While the property is held in common by a homeowner’s association,
the land trust is responsible for ensuring that the restrictions
on use of that land are upheld.
Example: Kenosha/Racine Land Trust and Town of
Caledonia
The Town
of Caledonia, in Racine County, was among the first communities
to use conservation design development as a tool in land use planning.
The Town drafted and adopted an ordinance which requires that all
new developments on lots over 3 acres must be designed according
to open space and conservation principles. In addition, the Town
has adopted Neighborhood Planning which serves to connect each subdivision
in a larger context of environmental corridors.
The Kenosha/Racine
Land Trust partners with the Town on conservation developments.
The Land Trust negotiates and holds conservation easements on the
open space part of each development. They also provide consulting
to the developer on appropriate conservation measures for the particular
parcel under development.
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