A. It is the intent and purpose of this article to provide a means for the logical and efficient development within the Conservation Residential (CR) and Suburban Residential (SR) zoning districts while maintaining the district’s natural character. The use of this desired development approach in these areas is an important component of the implementation of the land use and conservation objectives of the adopted 2006 Marshall Township Comprehensive Plan. The districts in which this type of development is strongly encouraged are characterized by their highly sensitive environmental features. Therefore, the following provisions have been devised and implemented to permit the logical development of only those lands within the district that are most suitable for development while, at the same time, creating a comprehensive greenway system for passive recreation uses and/or for the preservation of natural resources. A conservation subdivision shall be designed with the following objectives to satisfy the intent of this article and the required design provisions and procedures included in Article 300 of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance:
1. To conserve open land, including those areas containing unique and sensitive natural features such as woodlands, steep slopes, streams, floodplains and wetlands, by setting them aside from development;
2. To provide greater design flexibility and efficiency in the siting of services and infrastructure, including the opportunity to reduce length of roads, utility runs, and the amount of paving required for residential development;
3. To reduce erosion and sedimentation by the retention of existing vegetation, and the minimization of development on steep slopes;
4. To provide for a diversity of lot sizes and building densities, to accommodate a variety of age and income groups, and residential preferences, so that the community's population diversity may be maintained;
5. To implement adopted township policies to conserve a variety of irreplaceable and environmentally sensitive resource lands including provisions for reasonable incentives to create a greenway system for the benefit of present and future residents;
6. To permit clustering of houses and structures on less environmentally sensitive soils so as to reduce the amount of infrastructure,
7. To implement adopted land use, transportation, and community policies, as identified in the Marshall Township Comprehensive Plan;
8. To protect areas of the township with productive agricultural soils for continued or future agricultural use, by conserving blocks of land large enough to allow for efficient farm operations;
9. To create neighborhoods with direct visual access to open land, with amenities in the form of neighborhood greenway, and with a strong neighborhood identity.
10. To provide for the conservation and maintenance of open land within the township to achieve the above-mentioned goals and for active or passive recreational use by residents;
11. To provide standards reflecting the varying circumstances and interests of individual landowners, and the individual characteristics of their properties; and
12. To conserve scenic views and elements of the township's natural resources character, and to minimize perceived density, by minimizing views of new development from existing roads.
B. In order to achieve these purposes, this Article provides for flexibility in designing new residential subdivisions by allowing two forms of "by-right" development referred to as "options", as summarized below:
1. Option One: Cluster Properties, providing for residential uses at the density permitted as calculated per requirements included in 208-1604.
2. Option Two: Country Properties, providing for large lots at very low densities.
