This district is intended to provide for well-planned single-family residential developments that preserve the rural areas of the county. The district requires 50% open space and requires a minimum lot size of two acres. Rural viewsheds from public roadways and other public areas are intended to be preserved in this district. The district consists of both residential areas and conservation areas (i.e., the preservation tract). Agriculture is a permitted use in the preservation area under an approved management plan. The regulations are intended to retain open space/natural areas while providing an incentive to develop cluster rural residential development. This district is appropriate in areas designated Rural Enhancement Areas on the comprehensive plan.

(Ord. No. 5703, § 4, 5-2-23)

A.

The preservation tract must consist of at least 50% of the acreage of the district. Areas in roads and existing utility rights-of-way are not included in the preservation tract. Acceptable areas in lakes, ponds and floodplains will not exceed 50% of the preservation tract. Staff is granted administrative authority to determine compliance with the location and character of the preservation tract, but not the acreage.

B.

All of the preservation tract must be owned by a homeowners' or property owners' association. The preservation tract must be established as a usable passive recreational area for development residents. It could contain trails for biking, walking, or horseback riding.

C.

The preservation tract must be designed to preserve rural viewsheds from public roads and other public areas.

D.

On parcels of 25 acres or more used for agricultural purposes, the following are permitted only as accessory uses, or, if required, with a conditional use permit: structures for sale of farm products raised on the premises; open or enclosed storage of farm materials, products, or equipment; and farm buildings, including barns, stables, sheds, tool rooms, shops, bins, tanks and silos.

When the preservation tract will be used for agriculture, forests, wildlife reservations, or conservation areas, a management plan is required. Management plans must be submitted and approved by the community development department prior to plan of development approval. A management plan may be approved if it ensures the health, safety, and welfare of residents, and conforms to the good zoning practices of the county. No timber cutting is allowed in the preservation tract except in conformance with the approved management plan.

The management plan must include:

A.

Plan for agricultural/forestal uses, such as the crops/trees to be cultivated or grown, the use of fertilizer and pesticides, and environmental controls.

B.

A map identifying fields, pastures, and areas to be used, timbered or cultivated.

C.

A forest stewardship plan which includes best management practices and a schedule for timbering, if appropriate.

D.

A nutrient management plan for crop and pasture lands.

E.

The location and depth of buffers.

F.

Other information reasonably related to the types of proposed agricultural and forestal uses.

G.

Provisions for the homeowners' or property owners' association's ownership, operation, and management of all common facilities, and open space/natural area, including the preservation tract.

The following documents must be submitted with each rezoning application:

A.

Existing features and site analysis plan. Plans for proposed districts of less than 100 acres must be drawn to a scale of not less than 1 inch: 200 feet and include the area within 1,000 feet of the boundary of the proposed district. For proposed districts of 100 acres or more, the scale should be not less than 1 inch: 400 feet and include the area within 2,000 feet of the proposed district. The plan must include the following information:

(1)

Topography map clearly showing slopes between 15% and 25%, and above.

(2)

Streams, valleys, and wetland complexes (from maps published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service).

(3)

Woodlands over ½ acre in area (from county base maps and/or aerial photographs).

(4)

Ridgelines, public and private roads and trails, utility and other easements and rights-of-way, public land, land protected under conservation easements, buildings, utilities, drainage ditches, and other manmade improvements.

(5)

Rock outcroppings and aquifer recharge areas based on available published information (from USGS maps or other sources approved by the county).

(6)

The location of ponds, streams, and natural drainage swales, and 100-year floodplains.

(7)

Soil types, including designations of "prime," "of statewide importance," and "other," and accompanying data regarding septic suitability and depth to high water table for each soil type, (as mapped by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, in the published soil survey for the county).

(8)

Vegetative cover conditions according to general cover type including cultivated land, grassland, woodland, and wetlands.

(9)

Watershed boundaries (from county base maps).

(10)

Locations of all historic structures, features, and sites.

(11)

If the preservation tract is to be used for agricultural or forestal uses, a management plan must be submitted prior to plan of development approval.

(12)

Provisions for the homeowners' or property owners' association's ownership, operation, and management of all common facilities, and open space/natural area, including the preservation tract.

B.

Conceptual site plan; requirements. After the on-site review of the existing features and site analysis plan, the applicant must prepare a conceptual site plan for the proposed district. The site plan must include the required existing features and site analysis plan, plus the following:

(1)

The proposed title of the project, name of the engineer, architect, designer, and/or landscape architect, and the owner's and developer's names.

(2)

The north point, date, and scale as required in Sec. 15-146.A.

(3)

Zoning and zoning district boundaries, both existing and proposed.

(4)

Vicinity sketch, at a scale no greater than 1 inch: 2,000 feet.

(5)

Designation of preservation tract and development areas as described in Sec. 15-146.C below, and areas of common open space/natural area.

(6)

Proposed lot lines, road rights-of-way, and pedestrian trails.

C.

Preservation tract and development areas. The preservation tract must be at least 50% of the net acreage. The remainder may be development area for residential lots. To the extent practicable, the preservation tract should incorporate the following resources:

(1)

Streams and wetland complexes, ponds, and natural drainage swales; and 100-year floodplains.

(2)

"Prime" and "of statewide importance" soils.

(3)

Moderate and steep slopes of 15% or more.

(4)

Significant natural areas of species listed as endangered, threatened, or of special concern.

(5)

Historic structures, features, and sites.

(6)

Visually prominent topographic features such as knolls, hilltops and ridges, and scenic viewsheds as seen from public roads (particularly those with historic features).

(7)

100-foot buffers on each side of all perennial streams and 50-foot buffers on each side of all intermittent streams.