The purpose of the C Conservation District is to prescribe a zoning category for those areas where, because of natural geographic factors and existing land uses it is considered feasible and desirable to conserve open spaces, water supply sources, woodland areas, wildlife and other natural resources. This district may include extensive or steep-sloped areas, stream valleys, water supply sources, and wooded areas adjacent thereto.
The following regulations and the applicable regulations contained in other articles shall apply in the C Conservation District.
The principal permitted uses in this district shall be as follows:
A. 
Agriculture, as defined in § 180-122, except that woodland intended to be cleared for cultivation or pasturing shall be subject to review by the Commission; and provided, that any greenhouse heating plant or any building or feeding pens in which farm animals are kept shall comply with the distance requirements specified in § 180-16.
B. 
Forests, forestation and wildlife preserves.
C. 
Publicly owned or private parks of a nonprofit nature, including campgrounds, golf courses, riding trails, summer or winter resort areas, hunting, fishing or country clubs, game preserves and similar uses for the purpose of preserving and enjoying the natural resources of the property.
D. 
Water supply works, flood control or watershed protection works, and fish and game hatcheries.
E. 
Dwellings (detached), single family, provided that the minimum lot size shall be maintained at three acres, and subject to §§ 180-19 and 180-94.
F. 
Public buildings, structures and properties of the recreational, cultural, administrative or public service type.
[Added 12-11-2000 by Ord. No. 121; amended 9-27-2004 by Ord. No. 247]
The conditional uses requiring Board authorization in this district shall be as follows:
A. 
Public utility structures other than essential utility equipment as enumerated in § 180-122.
B. 
Trap, skeet, rifle or archery range, including gun clubs, provided that such use shall be five times the distance requirement specified in § 180-16.
C. 
Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals or kennels with or without runways, provided that the minimum area is 10 acres for any of the aforesaid uses, and provided that any structure or area used for such purposes shall be subject to twice the distance requirement as specified in § 180-16; and in any event such structure or use shall not be located closer than 400 feet from any property line of the subject property.
D. 
Only communication towers, freestanding towers, guyed towers for amateur radio communications licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as defined in this chapter and as regulated as provided hereinafter.
[Added 5-28-1996 by Ord. No. 207; amended 7-9-2001 by Ord. No. 223b]
E. 
Nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities and assisted-living facilities, provided that the Planning and Zoning Commission has first reviewed and approved the concept site development plan, traffic study, density, exterior design, and site layout.
[Added 5-9-2011 by Ord. No. 275]
The accessory uses allowed in this district shall be as follows:
A. 
Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to any principal permitted use or authorized conditional use.
B. 
One private stable as defined in § 180-122 in a rear yard on a lot or tract of three acres or more and as hereinafter regulated:
(1) 
No less than 1/2 the distance requirements of § 180-16 provided 200 feet from a dwelling on an adjoining lot or tract of land, and/or 200 feet from any dwelling on a lot or tract of land across the road from the lot or tract in question.
(2) 
No less than 1/2 the distance requirements of § 180-16 provided adjoining or across the road from unimproved but buildable lots or tracts of land.
(3) 
No less than 1/4 the distance requirements of § 180-16 provided 300 feet from a dwelling on an adjoining lot and/or 300 feet from a dwelling on a lot across the road from the lot in question.
(4) 
An in-fee strip or portion of a panhandle or flag lot abutting, or next adjacent to the lot or tract in question shall not be considered the adjoining lot or tract of land in determining space requirements.
C. 
A private parking area, not including commercial parking lots, on the same premises of any permitted, conditional or nonconforming use, provided that said permitted, conditional or nonconforming use as the case may be, and the private parking area accessory thereto on the premises, are both completely located within the district; and private parking areas off-premises subject to § 180-88A(10).
D. 
Incidental home and farm occupations, provided that antique shops, whether in the home or within a detached building on the same premises, shall be subject to Board approval after public hearing.
E. 
Decks may be permitted in the conservation zone as an accessory use to allow for the observational viewing of scenic vistas and other areas within the conservation area as long as the intent of the conservation is preserved. Decks shall be constructed in such a method that a minimal amount of existing vegetation, plantings and/or other natural geographic features are disturbed. The deck shall be attached either directly to a building or to a wooden walkway not more than 10 feet in length connecting the deck to the building. The size of the deck shall have a maximum size limitation of 1/2 the square footage of the footprint of the building. Plans for the deck shall be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission and may be permitted upon its review and approval.
[Added 9-13-1999 by Ord. No. 216b]
Except on farms and except as provided in § 180-10, no building or structure shall exceed 2 1/2 stories or 35 feet.
The following minimum requirements shall apply except as hereinafter modified in Articles XIV and XV.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: These requirements may be found in the C Conservation District table at the end of this chapter.