Some forests have been high-graded repeatedly over many decades, and even centuries. The species composition, health and vigor of these forests bear witness to this history. Such forests are in need of restoration treatments . Houselot development is typically limited to areas along public roads. It can't be done on discontinued roads.
Some owners find it profitable to build subdivision roads to create additional frontage.
Some towns allow for cluster developments on common driveways. The lower construction specifications for common drives and cluster roads are offered in exchange for conservation restrictions on large areas of undeveloped land adjacent to the cluster. These types of development require that the bulk of the property be put under conservation restrictions . This does not necessarily exclude forest management at all, and mitigates against the fragmentation of large forest properties into many small properties that cannot be effectively managed. Some objectives may be mutually exclusive.