SLU Rural District Reform

Act 205 SLH 2005

Mission

Implement Act 205 SLH 2005 Engage Community & County

Leadership in Reform Dialogue Support County Initiatives

– GP Amendments & Updates Operationalize SLU Rural District

Reform Objectives Prevent Rural Sprawl

– Create Compact Communities & Open Space vs. Wall-to-Wall Subdivisions

Create Context/Sense of Place for Rural Communities to Develop– Context = Necessary Statutory Guidance & Standards

of Practice Distinguish Rural Settlement From AG District

Use– Allows Mixed Uses vs Exclusive Farm Use

Plan for Growth of Affordable Rural Communities

Prevent Rural Sprawl

Compact/Clustered Communities– Concentrate infrastructure– Maintain Public Open Space vs Lot Size

Mixed Use - Not Just Large Lot Subdivision & Bedroom Community– Neighborhood commercial and public facilities

Regional Connectivity Planned & Required– Autos, Bike/non-motorized & Pedestrian

Develop Rural Context/Sense of Place

Re-establish/Maintain Connection to Historical Context for Community– Agricultural or Resource Development

Design & Develop Appropriate Rural Non-Residential Elements

Incorporate Appropriate County Level Regulations for Residential Elements

Community Understanding That Rural Settlement ≠ Just Agriculture– It’s About Community Which Does Not Preclude

Agriculture

Telling Rural, Urban & AG Apart

Neither a Bedroom Community or Suburb or Farm Dwellings, but a Rural Community– Supports Include Work, Plan & Schools

The Pace of Life is Slower– Reflected by Autos & Pedestrians

Open Space Is Created– Not By Large Lots, But by Performance Zoning

Agriculture Is Not Precluded, But Not Required

Role of the State Land Use Law

Establish Overall Direction Promote Context for County

Implementation Require Performance by Counties,

But Does Not Prescribe Exact Methods & Specifications

Potential Tools & Specifications No Minimum Lot Size

– Allow County Zoning To Determine Appropriate Mix & Density of Rural Communities

Performance Zoning For Open Space Specify of New Infrastructure &

Subdivision Rules– Fosters Distinction Between Urban & Rural

Focus on Non-Residential Elements– Requires Enactment By Counties of Specific

Ordinances

Design & Development of Non-Residential Community Elements

Mixed Uses Which Encourage Pedestrian Activities

ROW Treatment– Limit Width, LOS C, Native Landscaping &

Highlight Places of Interest Building Placement

– Compact Village Cluster– Market as a Destination– Minimal Front Setback, Opens to Big Back

Yard or Open Space

Design & Development of Non-Residential Community Elements Landscape Settings

– Major Parking to Side & Rear of Building– Cluster Landscape Plantings for Effect vs Uniform

Distribution– Integrate Natural & Man-Made Elements

Architectual Vocabulary– FAR of 1– Roof Forms Have Slope Characteristics Consistent

w/Existing Slopes of Buildings– Lighting Design Minimizes Spill

Signage Themes– Collective Visual Theme– Promote Function & Theme