Conservation design for subdivisions: Benefits
Homes are surrounded by nature in Cedar Valley Ridge, a conservation community near Traverse City, Michigan.
The benefits of conservation design for subdivisions, also known as “conservation subdivision design”, are many. Conservation subdivisions offer the following benefits:
- Conservation subdivisions preserve *50% to 70% or more of the buildable land.
- Conservation subdivisions preserve a much higher quality and percentage of land than “clustering“.
- Protect clean water in lakes and rivers by eliminating or reducing storm water runoff and pollution.
- Conserves groundwater and reduces flooding: Natural areas infiltrate water.
- Clean air: Most trees and vegetation are left intact, helping combat climate change.
- Creates community-wide interconnected network of protected meadows, fields and woodlands.
- Saves money: Preserves land at no cost to your community.
- Same number of home sites as conventional subdivision development.
- Fair to developers and landowners: Proven more profitable, faster selling and less costly.
- Beneficial to homeowners: Higher home appreciation rates.
- Trails through natural lands: Children and adults exercise, improve health and connect with nature.
*In rural, suburban edge areas at densities of 5 to 10 acres per dwelling, easily 70% (or more) of the buildable land can be preserved, in addition to the unbuildable wetlands, floodplains, and steep slopes. Conservation subdivisions can be used in areas served by public utilities (sewer, water) where underlying density is higher, but open space percentages would be correspondingly lower. In urban, sewered, high density areas zoned at 2-3-4 units per acre, preserving 40% of the buildable land is the norm. Percentages courtesy Randall Arendt.
Learn more about conservation design for subdivisions.
