Rural Residential Zoning District & Subdivision Exemptions Southampton County Board of Supervisors Presented by Jay Randolph November 28, 2005

Issues and Problems Loss of agricultural land –Land use conflicts –Loss of rural character Safety –Increased traffic on secondary highways, multiple driveway entrances, etc. Fiscal impacts of development –Infrastructure (streets/roads, stormwater, water & sewer) –Operational expenses (education, law enforcement, solid waste, fire & EMS)

Creation of a “Rural-Residential” Zoning District Land Development Task Force Utilize experiences of comparable localities Develop a process that requires rezoning and public review of new residential subdivision lots Will apply in areas designated “Agricultural” by the Comprehensive Plan

Purpose of Rural Residential District Limits conversion of agricultural lands for residential purposes Protects rural character by discouraging “piano-key development” Consistent with the Comprehensive Plan Requires rezoning and public review of development proposals Allows an opportunity for voluntary proffers Administratively manageable

Provides for Three Alternatives Timed Approach Sliding Scale Cluster Development

TIMED APPROACH Allows for a single lot application once every three (3) years No limit on the maximum number lots that can be created from a tax map parcel First (2) two lots not to have state road frontage unless specific conditions warrant (wetlands, soils, sight distances, etc.)

Sliding Scale Limits the number of times that a Tax Map parcel can be split, based on its overall size, (i.e., the larger the parcel the more splits that may occur, up to a maximum number established.) This will allow for multiple lots to be created during one application, subject to the maximum number of lots permitted.

Standards for Sliding Scale Development 40,000 square feet minimum lot requirement 5 acre maximum lot size (to reduce land consumption in agricultural areas) Shared private driveways required to limit number of access points Residual property that remains agriculturally-zoned may be combined with other agricultural properties

Size of Tract (acres) Total Lots Permitted by Ordinance < 25 acres1 25 – acres2 65 – acres3 105 – acres4 145 – acres5 185 – acres6 225 – acres7 265 – acres8 305 – acres9 345 – acres – acres – acres – acres13 Sliding Scale

Cluster Development Standards Building lots to be clustered on a portion of the property All lots to be served by state maintained subdivision street(s) Front bufferyard required with a minimum 50’ of landscaping Lot sizes from 40,000 sq. ft to 5 acres Open space to be maintained by association or entity

Option Open Space Preserved Number of Lots Maximum Lot Size Road Setback A50% B60% C70% Cluster Development 100 acre tract

Cluster Development

Subdivision Exemptions The following subdivisions would be exempt from the rezoning process, however, additional regulations may apply: Family member transfers Existing homesites Court ordered divisions Bona fide agricultural subdivisions Lot line adjustments