Clarence Town City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
OSD Open Space Design Development Overlay
[Amended 2-14-2007 by L.L. No. 1-2007; 7-9-2008 by L.L. No. 1-2008; 10-8-2014 by L.L. No. 5-2014]
§ 229-106 Purpose.
Open Space Design Development (OSDD) Overlay District or clustering shall be a subdivision plat or plats in which the applicable zoning law is modified to provide an alternative permitted method for the layout, configuration and design of lots; buildings and structures; roads; utility lines and other infrastructure; and parks and landscaping in order to preserve the natural and scenic qualities of open lands. Private roads to service clustered lots may be approved as a part of the final plat, and lots along such private roads may be platted as legal lots. Such private roads must provide adequate access to existing public roads. The Town Board may consider a reduction in minimum lot sizes down to and including lots to accommodate up to four units with zero-lot-line setbacks (four-unit structures).
Open space design development in the Town of Clarence shall require the final approval of the Town Board, upon the review and recommendations of the Planning Board, pursuant to the administration of Chapter 193, the Subdivision Regulations of the Town of Clarence. Open space design development shall not be considered for approval unless it is determined by the Town Board that it will achieve the intent of these regulations. The Town Board, at its discretion, may direct an applicant to pursue open space design development if, in the judgment of that Board and the Planning Board, its application would benefit the Town. For example, if a standard subdivision is proposed in an area containing important lands and/or resources (e.g., green space, woodlands, significant views, prime farmland, etc.), the Town may direct an applicant to pursue an open space design to preserve as much of these features as possible. The Town Board may also, upon its review, find a proposed open space design development not in accordance with the purposes or requirements of this article if the proposed development has no features worth preservation.
§ 229-107 Intent.
The purpose of these open space design development regulations is to enable and encourage flexibility of design and development of land in such a manner as to:
Preserve open space and natural features.
Protect important natural resources and sensitive lands.
Encourage a variety of lot sizes and housing types without increasing the overall density as permitted by the underlying zoning district.
Encourage residential development that is in harmony with the surrounding character and scenic quality of the Town.
Encourage creativity and adaptability in the layout of residential lots.
Reduce the public long-term costs associated with infrastructure maintenance.
§ 229-108 Regulations governing open space and/or incentive lot design development.
Open space and incentive lot design development may include single-family dwellings in accordance with the following regulations and standards. The area proposed for open space and incentive lot design development shall be in single ownership or under unified control throughout the review process, inclusive of the filing of the map cover in the Erie County Clerk's office.
Open space. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all open space design developments:
Open space design development shall only be considered where public sewer districts have been established.
Open space design development shall only apply to any major subdivision of not less than five acres in land area.
Having achieved all goals identified in this chapter, the minimum lot size may be reduced to no less than 5,000 square feet for detached housing units and up to four-unit, one- or two-story attached housing units may be allowed, provided that any and all such area that is not designed to serve as residential areas, roads or other public purposes be set aside and restricted on the subdivision plat for use by inhabitants as common open space, parkland or for recreational purposes of an active or passive nature.
The required minimum habitable floor area may be reduced to 1,000 square feet for a one-story structure and 1,200 square feet for a two-story structure.
The maximum height of buildings shall not exceed two stories or 35 feet for single-family units.
The permitted number of dwelling units shall in no case exceed the number of units that could be permitted if the land were subdivided into lots conforming to the minimum lot size (see § 229-49) and density requirements of this chapter applicable to the district or districts in which the land is situated. An aerial photograph may be required to assist in the density determination. However, prior to determining the number of dwelling units and/or building lots, the parcel to be developed shall be adjusted as follows:
Lands utilized by public utilities or structures or recorded easements of rights-of-way shall be subtracted from the total gross area.
Water bodies, marsh areas, wetlands, wetland buffers, woodlands, gorges, rock outcroppings, caverns, poorly drained, alluvial and unstable soils and floodplains shall be subtracted from the total gross area.
Any other areas deemed unfavorable (unusable/unbuildable) by the Planning Board because of topographic, geologic or hydrological characteristics, slopes in excess of 15%, and lands deemed important to preserve and protect existing views and character shall be subtracted from the total gross area.
Overall, the minimum amount of open space preservation shall be no less than 50% of the gross acreage of the parcel or parcels to be developed.
Natural features such as streams, rock outcrops, marshlands, trees and shrubs shall be preserved and incorporated into the landscaping of the development. In addition, open vistas visible from existing public roads shall be preserved.
The recreation/open space fee required pursuant to the subdivision and fee laws of the Town of Clarence shall still be applicable. Open space, green space or recreation areas in the OSDD shall be privately owned. The Town Board may recommend the dedication of land to the Town of Clarence, in lieu of these fees, if the subdivision is located in an area where a proposed park, playground or other recreation or public site is desired by the Town.
Final designs shall incorporate connectivity to surrounding areas and be developed with walkways, sidewalks and/or trails that provide access to public areas and the Town's recreational trail system. Such connectivity shall be developed as a part of the project. If circumstances dictate that connectivity be provided at a future time, final plats shall identify those areas for future connections to the trail system or other public lands.
Easement; ownership; maintenance.
A baseline study shall be prepared and approved as a part of development plan approval in order to develop a conservation easement on the common open space.
At the time of the filing of the final plat for the subdivision, the common open space and recreation lands shall be transferred to a homeowners' association pursuant to a deed to be filed in the Erie County Clerk's office. The developer shall, at that time, create a homeowners' association that shall function pursuant to an agreement that shall contain the right for the homeowners' association and/or the Town of Clarence to enforce the use and maintenance of the common open space and recreation lands. The enforcement shall include, but not be limited to, the right to enjoin or otherwise enforce any encroachment by a private homeowner into the open space and recreation lands. The enforcement rights shall include the right to legal fees, costs and disbursements. A copy of the transfer documents and homeowners' association agreement shall be provided to the Town of Clarence Town Attorney's office for review and approval before filing same in the Erie County Clerk's office. Once filed, a stamp "filed" copy shall be provided to the Clarence Town Attorney's office.
The maintenance of sidewalks, to include snow removal, shall be the responsibility of the homeowners' association or property owner that will be responsible for the continued ownership of any common land.
Private roads shall be built to minimum standards approved by the Town Board and provided by the Town Engineering Department. Community parking areas may be required by the Town Board during subdivision review.
The underlying zoning requirements for lot coverage and setback requirements for all lots in an OSDD shall be waived. Minimum setbacks from each residential structure shall be 20 feet.
If not specifically addressed in this chapter, all other underlying zoning regulations shall apply.
The OSDD shall complement the character of surrounding homes and natural features.
The OSDD shall minimize long-term costs associated with the maintenance of public streets and utilities.
Incentive design. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the following regulations shall apply to all incentive design developments:
Incentive design development shall only be considered where public sewer districts have been established.
Incentive design development shall only apply to any major subdivision of not less than five acres in land area.
Having achieved all goals identified in this chapter, the minimum lot size may be reduced to no less than 5,000 square feet for detached housing units and up to four-unit, one- or two-story attached housing units may be allowed, provided that any and all such area that is not designed to serve as residential areas, roads or other public purposes be set aside and restricted on the subdivision plat for use by inhabitants as common open space, parkland or for recreational purposes of an active or passive nature.
The required minimum habitable floor area may be reduced to 1,000 square feet for a one-story structure and 1,200 square feet for a two-story structure.
The maximum height of buildings shall not exceed two stories or 35 feet for single-family units.
The permitted number of dwelling units shall in no case exceed the number of units that could be permitted if the land were subdivided into lots conforming to the minimum incentive lot size (see § 229-49) and density requirements of this chapter applicable to the district or districts in which the land is situated. An aerial photograph may be utilized to protect the natural features of the land and be a delimiter in the density determination. However, prior to determining the number of dwelling units and/or building lots, the parcel to be developed shall be adjusted as follows:
Lands utilized by public utilities or structures or recorded easements of rights-of-way shall be subtracted from the total gross area.
Water bodies, marsh areas, wetlands, wetland buffers, woodlands, gorges, rock outcroppings, caverns, poorly drained, alluvial and unstable soils and floodplains shall be subtracted from the total gross area.
Any other areas deemed unfavorable (unusable/unbuildable) by the Planning Board because of topographic, geologic or hydrological characteristics, slopes in excess of 15%, and lands deemed important to preserve and protect existing views and character shall be subtracted from the total gross area.
Overall, the minimum amount of open space preservation shall be no less than 25% of the gross acreage of the parcel or parcels to be developed.
Natural features such as streams, rock outcrops, marshlands, trees and shrubs shall be preserved and incorporated into the landscaping of the development. In addition, open vistas visible from existing public roads shall be preserved.
The recreation/open space fee required pursuant to the subdivision and fee laws of the Town of Clarence shall still be applicable. Open space, green space or recreation areas in the incentive design shall be privately owned. The Town Board may recommend the dedication of land to the Town of Clarence, in lieu of these fees, if the subdivision is located in an area where a proposed park, playground or other recreation or public site is desired by the Town.
Final designs shall incorporate connectivity to surrounding areas and be developed with walkways, sidewalks and/or trails that provide access to public areas and the Town's pedestrian trail system. Such connectivity shall be developed as a part of the project. If circumstances dictate that connectivity be provided at a future time, final plats shall identify those areas for future connections to the trail system or other public lands.
Common open space and recreation lands shall be deeded to a homeowners' association or individual that will be responsible for the continued ownership, use and maintenance of said lands. Such deeds shall be reviewed by the Town Attorney and approved by the Town Board.
Private roads shall be built to minimum standards approved by the Town Board and provided by the Town Engineering Department. Community parking areas may be required by the Town Board during subdivision review.
If not specifically addressed in this chapter, all other underlying zoning regulations shall apply.
The OSDD shall encourage a variety of lot sizes and housing types to protect the long-term viability of the neighborhood.
After completing the density determination as herein described, for both an "open space" and "incentive design," the Planning Board will make a recommendation to the Town Board on either an open space or incentive design subdivision.