PRESERVATION and PROGRESS IN THE DRAGON

RUN

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONSPARADIGM DESIGN JUNE 28, 2005 Work Session

CHANGES FROM THE LAST DRAFTOVERALL

1. Combined both the Model Comprehensive Plan District and the Zoning Framework into one report

2. Added “Introduction” section to introduce and state purpose of the report

PAGES 1.-2.

CHANGES FROM THE LAST DRAFTMODEL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DISTRICT

1. Added a note to the Implementation section:

Encourage the consideration of future implementation techniques and strategies that conserve existing agricultural and forest land uses and protect the environmental resources of the stream system, such as conservation zoning and subdivision approaches, additional stream buffers and setbacks, purchase of development rights, donation of private easements, landowner compacts and land use taxation.

PAGE 7.

CHANGES FROM THE LAST DRAFTZONING FRAMEWORK

1. Revised text so that recommendations were options for each County to customize and implement in whole or in part.

2. Most other specific changes were left for Phase II. of the project (customizing recommendations per each County)

PAGES 8.-22.

CHANGES FROM THE LAST DRAFTZONING FRAMEWORK

3. Changed use from Prohibited to Special Exception use in the Drainage Area Conservation Zone:

Mini warehouses PAGE 13.

CHANGES FROM THE LAST DRAFTZONING FRAMEWORK

4. Added note on Use List:

Each county that chooses to adopt this zoning provision may want to customize the list of uses so that it is compatible with the base zoning districts that are included in its overlay zone. Counties that currently do not have these types of intensive uses permitted throughout the watershed area may choose to forgo this zoning provision if the list of permissible uses in the base zoning is already compatible with the rural character of the Dragon Run area. PAGE 14.

CHANGES FROM THE LAST DRAFTZONING FRAMEWORK

3. Clarified permitted uses in Stream Buffer Zone:

4. Conservation,restoration, education, and research activities of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Department of Forestry and other related conservation agencies.by private or public resource management agencies or organizations.

6. Governmental activity on wetlands or swamps areas owned or leased by the Commonwealth of Virginia or by the County.

PAGES 15-16.

CHANGES FROM THE LAST DRAFTZONING FRAMEWORK

4. Added note on Stream Buffer Zone Use List:

The above list of permitted uses is generally derived from the current Dragon Run Conservation Zone of Middlesex and King and Queen counties. As with the Drainage Area Conservation Zone, each county that chooses to adopt this zoning provision may want to customize the list of uses so that it is compatible with its other low intensity or conservation zoning districts, and so that it does not conflict with the provisions of its Chesapeake Bay Protection Ordinance. PAGE 16.

CHANGES FROM THE LAST DRAFTZONING FRAMEWORK

4. Added note on Conservation Subdivision Option:

5.0 CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION OPTION

The Conservation Subdivision Option provides for the use-by-right of conservation subdivisions in a potential Dragon Run Overlay District. The following is a general ordinance amendment to allow Conservation Subdivisions as a development option in an overlay zone. The language may be refined to better fit each county’s particular code framework.

PAGE 17.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS(to forward to the Steering

Committee)OVERALL

1. Purpose is to conserve the Dragon Run and to implement the M.O.U.

2. Recommend both:• creating a new Dragon Run Comp. Plan

District• incorporating zoning changes to

implement the new Comp. Plan policies

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS(to forward to the Steering

Committee)MODEL COMP. PLAN DISTRICT

1. Intent of the District is twofold:• Preserving the natural environment of the

stream• Protecting the traditional rural industries

of the area

2. Focus of District is on the Watershed

3. Policies for:• Rural Character• Land Use• Water/Wastewater• Compatible Economic Development• Natural Resource Protection• Recreation and Tourism

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS(to forward to the Steering

Committee)MODEL COMP. PLAN DISTRICT

4. Implementation recommendations are flexible (may change from County to County)

5. Recommend that all 4 Counties adopt the model District as an amendment to their Comp. Plans

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS(to forward to the Steering

Committee)ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Zoning Recommendations are intended as options for counties to adopt in whole or in part, as is, or customized for each county

2. There are three basic types of recommendations:1. Watershed-based (Drainage Area Zone)2. Streamside (Stream Buffer Zone)3. Conservation Subdivision Option

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS(to forward to the Steering

Committee)ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS

Drainage Area Zone:

1. Overlay Zone (modifies base zoning)2. Extends over whole watershed3. Includes a Table of Uses to modify some

uses in the Base Zone• Intended to protect traditional rural

industries• Customized for each County

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS(to forward to the Steering

Committee)ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS

Stream Buffer Zone:

1. Overlay Zone (modifies base zoning)2. Extends 200’ landward from RPA3. Allows only certain conservation &

passive recreational uses• Intended to protect stream ecology• Permits Farming & Forestry with

BMP’s

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS(to forward to the Steering

Committee)ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS

Conservation Subdivision Option:

• Optional development type with a built-in incentive

• Incentive is Ministerial Approval for 10 lot subdivisions

• Conservation-based cluster option with permanent easement over 75% of a tract

• No common ownership required• Easements to County or Conservation

Organization

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

1. Presentation to Steering Committee (August 10)

2. Working with each County (Phase II)• Staff • Planning Commission• Public• Board of Supervisors

3. Ongoing Task Force Role

4. Next Steps