A. 
The purpose of this Article 6 is to:
(1) 
Maintain and enhance the conservation of natural, scenic or agricultural resources;
(2) 
Protect natural streams and water supplies;
(3) 
Promote conservation of soils, wetlands, and other significant natural features and landmarks;
(4) 
Enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests, wildlife conservation areas, nature reservations or sanctuaries or other open spaces;
(5) 
Enhance public recreation opportunities;
(6) 
Preserve historic sites; and
(7) 
Promote orderly urban and suburban development.
B. 
These regulations are intended to provide for increased flexibility, balanced by increased control, in the development of land so as to facilitate the dedication of open space, natural resources, recreational uses, and rural character.
A. 
As authorized under C.G.S. § 8-25(c), every subdivider proposing to subdivide a parcel (or portion of a parcel of land) completely within the Town of Willington that on the date June 1, 2011, was equal to or larger than 25 acres in any zoning district allowing residential development must submit an open space subdivision plan that meets the requirements of this Article 6 and the other relevant provisions of these regulations and Chapter 315, Zoning Regulations. For purposes of determining the size of the parcel proposed for subdivision, all land within the parcel, including any land not immediately proposed for use as building lots, shall be included. A subdivider may submit an alternative, conventional subdivision plan in addition to the open space subdivision plan required by this Article 6 if the subdivider wishes to have the Commission consider granting an exception to the open space subdivision requirement. The alternative conventional subdivision plan must conform to all other requirements contained in these regulations and Chapter 315, Zoning Regulations.
B. 
The Commission recommends that, prior to the submission of an official application for open space subdivision approval, the subdivider initiate a preapplication conference with the Commission and subsequently prepare and present a preliminary plan for consideration by the Commission. The preparation of the preliminary plan is recommended to facilitate the general discussion of potential factors affecting the development of the land before the subdivider proceeds with the official application and the preparation of maps, plans, and documents required for consideration by the Commission. The presentation of a preliminary plan will readily and economically facilitate alterations and changes recommended by the Commission. Neither the subdivider nor the Commission shall be in any way bound by any statement made during the consideration of the preliminary layout. The Commission's comments during the preapplication conference are preliminary and subject to future change and refinement. There shall be no vote or other action during the preapplication conference.
Except as otherwise provided, all open space subdivision applications must meet the procedural and substantive requirements of these regulations and Chapter 315, Zoning Regulations.
A. 
In designing an open space subdivision, the subdivider should consider the purpose set forth in § 310-6.01 of these regulations, the provisions of Article 5 of these regulations and the following factors:
(1) 
Proposed lots and improvements should be designed and situated to minimize alteration of the natural site features.
(2) 
Proposed open space areas should meet the standards for open spaces and recreation areas outlined in § 310-5.15.
(3) 
Open space intended for recreation or other active public use should be readily accessible to all individuals.
(4) 
Individual lots should be arranged to maintain the existing view from public rights-of-way, to minimize the area devoted to motor vehicle access and travel, and with consideration of the views both of and from prospective home sites.
310 Lots.tif
Example from Growing Greener: Putting Conservation in Local Plans and Ordinances, Arendt 1999.
B. 
The Commission may modify any application so as to designate open space in locations other than those proposed, if it determines that such modified location(s) will better serve the purposes and satisfy the applicable criteria and standards of these regulations and Chapter 315, Zoning Regulations.
(1) 
Rear lots in open space subdivisions. The ratio of rear lots to frontage lots must not exceed one rear lot for every two frontage lots served by a private driveway, and no more than five rear lots (and the frontage lot for a maximum of six lots served) served by common driveway shall be permitted per frontage lot. No rear lot or lots shall landlock another rear lot or rear land where the potential for future access does not exist, unless the Commission finds that there is no feasible alternative, either existing or future, to development as a rear lot.
C. 
Common driveways in open space subdivisions. The use of common driveways to serve both frontage and rear lots in open space subdivisions is encouraged and may be authorized or required by the Commission where wetlands, steep slopes or other physical constraints would require extensive grading (cutting and filling) for individual driveways, where common driveways will protect natural and man-made features and scenic views and vistas, or where common driveways will promote other design objectives of these regulations.
(1) 
A common driveway shall serve no more than five rear lots, plus one frontage lot. Common driveways may not be closer than 50 feet at any point to an adjacent common driveway on the same side of the road.
(2) 
Approvals of common driveways shall not be construed as acceptance of said driveway or rights-of-way for the Town, and the Town shall not be obligated to perform any repair or maintenance duties thereon. Common driveways shall be considered the responsibility of a subdivider and shall be bonded pursuant to Willington's regulatory requirements prior to the filing of a subdivision on the Land Records. Where common driveways are approved, a driveway easement shall be filed on the deeds of the affected lots to clearly establish liability and maintenance responsibilities. A template easement will be provided by the Town. The minimum width of the driveway easement area shall be 35 feet when serving three or fewer homes. The minimum width of the driveway easement area shall be 50 feet when serving more than three homes. Common driveways shall be within a defined right-of-way.