This article establishes alternative development design to support protection of diverse ecology, flora and fauna, natural resources, historic and archeological resources and landscapes, wildlife habitats, agricultural areas, and scenic views and viewsheds that characterize the Township, while permitting site responsive development.

This article promotes the following open space resource conservation objectives:

A.

To preserve natural resource, including waterbodies, floodplains, wetlands, wet soil conditions, very steep slope areas, ridgelines, rock outcroppings, groundwater resources and recharge areas, prime agricultural soils and woodlands, hedgerows; cultural resources including historic and archeological resources and landscapes; and open space areas, including areas for their value as a wildlife habitat or corridor, as sites of unique vegetation (such as specimen trees and heritage trees), or other sites or features contributing to the natural diversity of the Township;

B.

To protect scenic views and viewsheds from encroachment by development;

C.

To retain and protect open space areas within development;

D.

To minimize potential adverse impacts resulting from the location of residential development adjacent to nonresidential uses including agricultural lands;

E.

To provide passive recreation areas under the "Open Space, Trails & Parks Master Plan and Needs Assessment" (July 17, 2019), as updated;

F.

Provide opportunity for flexibility in lot design and dwelling types not afforded by conventional lot-by-lot development, and for more varied, innovative, and efficient development patterns.

G.

To provide a means to attain the community development in Article I relative to orderly growth and protection of resources.

(Ord. No. 300, § I, 2-1-2023)