The following is a repost from my earlier post (September 4, 2009): I like Randall Arendt’s approach to conservation subdivisions: “Do It Backward”. First, set aside land for conservation. This eliminates the left-over conservation areas that are traditionally created. Last, divide up the land into parcels. This allows the developer to penpoint the prime developable area, [...]
Many communities mistakenly believe that large lot zoning will protect land, and preserve rural character and working farmland. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Zoning is temporary at best. LandChoices interviews David Skjaerlund, owner of Pleasant View Farms in Coleman, Michigan, in the video above. David discusses how an 80 acre farm that he rents [...]
Serenbe is a conservation community (conservation development) near Atlanta, Georgia. This video tells the story of how Serenbe was started. //
Andy Beckstoffer, the founder of Napa Valley’s Beckstoffer Vineyards, wanted to donate a piece of his land to conservation, but it didn’t make sense financially – his property would bring in much more if he sold it than left it to grow grapes forever, according to the article “Conservation law helps preserve properties” in the [...]
“The Present That Lasts Forever” premiers Friday, October 9 at 9 p.m on WCMU TV. Discover Michigan land which will remain unchanged forever. Explore the motivations behind why people work with local Land Conservancies and Land Trusts. (Part I of II) “Looking Down the Road” premiers Friday, October 9 at 9:30 p.m. This original WCMU [...]
The Land Trust Alliance has a nice article about 15 ranches protected by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) and several partner organizations. Over the past decade, 15 ranchland conservation easements have protected more than 11,000 acres. “This ranch means a great deal to our family and we are committed to raising our kids [...]
Yesterday I received the following note from the owner of a North Carolina farm protected with a conservation easement: “Can the state’s power of eminent domain be used to build a highway across conserved land? We are worried about the possibility of a 4-land highway through our conserved land.” Hers is a great question. I answered “From what [...]
What is a Conservation Easement (aka “land preservation agreement”)? A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency. It permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. The landowner continues to own the land and the easement does “run with the [...]
I like Randall Arendt’s approach to conservation subdivisions: “Do It Backward”. First, set aside land for conservation. This eliminates the left-over conservation areas that are traditionally created. Last, divide up the land into parcels. This allows the developer to penpoint the prime developable area, while maintaining conservation areas. According to Randall Arendt, “The term ‘conventionally designed [...]
Using conservation subdivisions, communities across Pennsylvania are preserving their special open spaces, greenways and natural resources at the same time they achieve their development objectives. How? Conservation through local zoning and subdivision ordinances; an approach called Growing Greener: Conservation by Design, otherwise known as “conservation subdivisions“. If you want to ensure that new development creates [...]
