Friday, April 14, 2006

Summary of county's 2025 proposed ordinances


EDITOR'S NOTE: The following proposed ordinances are just that: proposals. They are still in the early development stage and will likely undergo significant revisions.

1) A-10 and the Mountain Overlay District

According to county planners, most A-10 (unproductive agriculture land that allows for the development of one unit per 10 acres) is located in the remote east, south and west portions of the county and is under increasing development pressure. Developing in these remote areas of the county would fragment wildlife populations and burden taxpayers to support services.

To avoid such developments, the county wants to reclassify A-10 lands as RR-40 (rural and remote, one unit per 40 acres). No planned-unit developments (PUDs) would be allowed in RR-40, although cluster developments of five lots or less would be allowed if the development is located within one mile of a paved road. The minimum lot width would increase from 200 feet to 500 feet. Also, land in the Mountain Overlay District (land that exceeds 25 percent in slope) would also be downzoned from one unit per 40 acres to one unit per 160 acres (with some exceptions).

2A) A-20 Zoning District, Wetlands, and Cluster and Locational Zoning

Much of the county's agricultural land and wetlands exist in the "Bellevue Triangle" south of Baseline Road. The county wants to protect both, and has dubbed the area the "Wetlands and Agricultural Protection Area."

To discourage development, landowners in this area will have options: transfer their development rights to a receiving area north of Pero Road; or develop under the A-20 (one unit per 20 acres) zoning district regulations.

If landowners choose the latter option, they could develop under A-20 guidelines only if they meet the locational criteria: Development is located along a major public road within 10 miles of the county's major service center in Hailey; or the development is located along a major public road and within five miles of a minor service center, and within one mile of a paved public road.

If a property meets two of the locational criteria, it can be developed at one unit per 20 acres. If it meets one of the criteria, it will be restricted to one unit per 40 acres. If it doesn't meet any, it will be restricted to one unit per 80 acres.

2B) Transfer of Development Rights

The transfer of development rights (TDR) program would give landowners a credit for every 20 acres of developable land—which would be sent to the receiving area north of Pero Road—while retaining the right to build one unit per 160 acres.

Developers that purchase those credits would be able to develop one unit per 2.5 acres.

Other TDR receiving areas may be established.

3) PUDs and Clusters

Planned-unit developments usually result in the creation of multi-unit developments and hamlets—which the county deems inappropriate in rural and agricultural areas. For that reason, PUDs would be prohibited on RR-40, A-20 and Public Land and Resource Conservation zoning districts.

Cluster developments would be limited to five lots in most instances but will be granted some flexibility in appropriate areas, such as near cities or major roads. Also, the current limitation that only 10 percent of a parcel can be utilized for a cluster development would be raised to 20 percent, with 80-percent being set aside for open space.

Other proposed ordinances that will be introduced to the county Planning and Zoning Commission on April 20:

4) Floodplain management and riparian setback districts.

5) Wildlife overlay district.

6) Public land/resource conservation district.




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