Abstract |
This document is a product of the LancasterArea Site Planning Roundtable, a year-long consensus process initiated by the Builders forthe Bay Program to review existing development codes and identify regulatory barriersto environmentally-sensitive residential and commercial development at the site level. Adiverse cross-section of local government, non-profit, environmental, homebuilding, business, development and other community professionals made up the membership of the Lancaster Area Site Planning Roundtable.Through a consensus process, members of the Roundtable adapted the National Model Development Principles to specific local conditions. Roundtable recommendations include specific code and ordinance revisions that would increase flexibility in site design standards and promote the use of open space and flexible design development inthe Lancaster area. The National Model Development Principles adapted by the Lancaster Area Site Planning Roundtableare designed to collectively meet the objectives of Better Site Design (BSD), which are to (1) reduce overall site impervious cover, (2) preserve and enhance existing natural areas, (3) integrate stormwater management, and (4) retain a marketable product. Code modifications and other Roundtable recommendations were crafted to remove regulatory hurdles and provide incentives, flexibility, and guidance for developers implementing BSD. The Roundtable process focused on model development principles at the site level and did not include discussions of zoning or land use. |