1st meeting of the ordinances working group

Here are my notes from our meeting, evening of 24th June.  We agreed that those who have the time will pick one of these topics to research.

Research should take the form

1: what do our present ordinances say on this topic (if anything). Note, a topic may be scattered through the ordinances which may contain contradictory statements.

2: What do other local townships say on this topic in their ordinances, which get us closer to what we ideally want?

3: Are there any even better ordinances, looking further afield in or outside the state.

Email your research back to me as an attached Word/Google Doc and I'll post them all on our website as a blog for all to see.

Topics to research

1. Slopes. We want to see steep slopes clearly defined with building on slopes over 15% prohibited, but with the township having the right to allow building on such slopes in exchange for other desirable concessions from the developer.

2.  Housing density. We want to see a more rational approach to allowed housing density (lot size) understanding that different densities may apply to different zones and according to services provided.

3. PRDs. Ideally we would like to see PRDs restricted to the purple development zone as shown in the new comprehensive plan. Are there better ways to define/delineate PRDs to give the township more say in how they are planned?

4. Services strategy. How can we link the existing road, water and sewage services to more rational housing development, and use the planning of future service extensions to encourage development where we want it?

5. Buffer zones. How can we improve our definitions of buffer zones to provide more protection around new developments?

6. Trees. At present we do not have an ordinance stipulating which trees can and which cannot be planted on new developments. We would like to see only native trees allowed. Further, we have no ordinances on the reservation of treeson new developments or on private land. Is there anything useful we can learn from other townships?

7. Required recreational space in developments.  What would an ordinance look like that encouraged developments to put more effort into designing and building meaningful recreational space in their developments? Maybe this is something that can be required in exchange for allowing slightly denser development?

8. Mixed development including affordable housing. Are there any example ordinances which encourage/require affordable housing to be included in developments or mixed development with, for instance, apartments being built over shops or office space provided for small high-tech enterprises?

9. Lighting. What would an ordinance look like that required all street lighting to be dark-sky compliant?

10. Flood plains. Townships have the right to delineate flood plains, over and above those delineated by FEMA, and protect them from development. What would ordinances look like that did this?