Conservation Subdivision Design by Randall Arendt Noted conservation planner Randall Arendt offers a framework for subdivision review that encourages the preservation of open space and natural areas, while enhancing the market value of development. Arendt's model ordinance reverses the standard subdivision review process by focusing first on the conservation of natural areas and last on the detailed layout of houselots.
Sidebars explore key aspects of the model ordinance.
It is through the subdivision review process that communities most directly assure that residential development is designed in a way which promotes community objectives such as the preservation of open space and natural areas. In short, land conservation makes our communities better places to live. As you will see on the following pages, the conservation subdivision approach involves small, but significant, changes to the subdivision design and review process. Developers can easily become the community's leading conservationists, as each new subdivision adds another link to an area-wide open space system. Click lightning bolt icon at top left.