The principal purpose of the Conservation district is the protection of natural resources and environmentally sensitive areas, and to prevent these resources and areas from being degraded. The district permits low intensity and low activity uses which are compatible with these resource protection goals. It is not intended for high intensity, high activity, and potentially damaging uses which are customarily provided in other districts. The types of natural resources and environmentally sensitive areas which are to be protected, maintained, and conserved in this district include large canopy forests, fragile hillsides and highly erodible slopes, habitat for unique fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered species, wetlands, stream corridors, fragile or unstable geologic features such as kope formations, and other sensitive or unique natural areas and features. The Conservation district is based on components of the Boone County Comprehensive Plan, including the Goals and Objectives, Environment Element, Land Use Element, and the Future Land Use Map.

Table 5-2, in Section 505.1, identifies the principally permitted and accessory uses within the CONS district.

Table 5-2, in Section 505.1, identifies those uses which are conditionally permitted within the CONS district, subject to the approval and qualifications of the Board of Adjustment provided: a) the activity is of integral relation to and directly in support of the conservation activity, b) the use, building or structure is subservient to and not of scale, nature advertisement, trade, or other character which will compete, detract or conflict with the principal purpose of the district; c) the activity is necessary to serve the public or membership engaged in the principal purpose so long as the service area, use, scale or other character of the activity does not overpower, transcend, or conflict with the principal purpose of the district of immediate environs surrounding; and d) provided the arrangement of use, building or structure is mutually compatible with the organization of permitted and accessory uses to be protected in the district. Such uses shall be related to a nature preserve, open space park, wildlife preserve, fishing and hiking areas, hunting grounds, historic sites, historic structures, historic monuments, farms, existing cemeteries, and museums.

The intensity of use in a Conservation district shall be based on the ability of the affected parcel of property to accommodate the uses without adversely impacting the natural character of the parcel of land nor conflicting with the principal purpose of the Conservation district.

There is no minimum size or extent of a Conservation district.

All permitted uses shall be conducted in a manner that supports the preservation of the natural or historic features of the site. No permitted activity shall degrade the resource(s) which is intended to be protected by the Conservation district.

Site Plan Review is required for historic sites and structures, monuments and other exhibits available for public viewing, all conditional uses, and when required by ARTICLE 30.

See SECTION 3111 for dimensional standards.

 Aquarium, Arboretum, Botanical Garden, Wildlife Preserve, and Natural Exhibition

1. 1.
   Uses within this category are limited to Arboretum, Botanical Garden, Wildlife Preserve, and Natural Exhibition.