The Commission finds that certain parcels of
land, because of their unique physical characteristics, may benefit
from additional flexibility in the design of subdivisions. Such benefits
may include improved living and working environments; more economical
subdivision layouts; greater ingenuity and originality in total subdivision
and individual site design; and, especially, the preservation of valuable
open space to serve recreational, scenic, and other public purposes.
The Commission also finds that, in order to achieve these benefits,
it will sometimes be necessary to permit modifications of the minimum
lot area, frontage, width, and yards, and the maximum building height
and percentage of allowable land coverage. These conservation subdivision
regulations are therefore intended to provide a mechanism to permit
such modifications, while, at the same time, assuring (1) adequate
maintenance and restricted use of open space areas for maximum public
benefit; (2) adequate protection of the neighborhood; and (3) the
conservation of natural resources and of Haddam's rural character.
Conservation subdivisions shall require a special
permit. Any such special permit must comply with the standards, criteria
and procedures set forth in both this Article
V and in Article
XIX
of these regulations.
In determining whether to approve a proposed
conservation subdivision, the Commission shall give due consideration
to the standards and criteria set forth in Article
XIX of these regulations.
A special permit that is issued for a conservation subdivision shall
not, in and of itself, be sufficient to allow the creation of a conservation
subdivision. Rather, the special permit shall simply entitle the applicant
to seek subdivision approval using the modified standards set forth
in §
270-14 of these regulations. If the applicant is denied
a special permit for a conservation subdivision pursuant to this Article
V, the applicant may file an application for a standard subdivision
pursuant to Chapter
302, Subdivision Regulations, Article
II.