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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1990 1121 CC REG ITEM 11BBERNARDO M. PEREZ Mayor SCOTT MONTGOMERY Mayor Pro Tern ELOISE BROWN Councilmember CLINT HARPER, Ph.D. Councilmember PAUL W. LAWRASON, Jr. Councilmember LILLIAN KELLERMAN City Clerk MOORPARK MEMORANDUM ITEM I 1.,'Do I/ / /c/'�J STEVEN KUENY r City Manager CHERYL J.KANE City Attorney PATRICK RICHARDS, A.I.C.P. Director of Community Development R. DENNIS DELZEIT City Engineer JOHN V. GILLESPIE Chief of Police Cou; cil M�oi:: ;g RICHARD T. HARE City Treasurer i 19962 ACTION:] By To: The Honorable City Council From: Patrick J. Richards, Director of Community Development Date: October 10, 1990 (CC meeting of 10/17/90) Subject: GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT - Resolution No. 86 -318 COMPONENT NO. 2 - CLUSTERING BACKGROUND In June of 1986 The City approved Resolution No. 86 -318. This resolution amended The General Plan Land Use Element in a way that allowed clustering of residential dwelling units in the Rural Zones. The use of clustering is to be allowed only if it can be shown that "The common area is designed to protect an environmentally sensitive habitat, create a substantial recreational facility or agriculture use or other such use...", The amendment resolution goes on to explain that in The Rural Low Zoned area the minimum lot size is one (1) acre (This zoning typically requires a five (5) acre minimum lot size). The same holds true for The Rural High to have a one -half (1/2) acre where the minimum lot size is one (1) acre. The issue of clustering was discussed by the Council on several occasions during the review of the Bollinger Development Corporation's proposal (See attached staff report). 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864 Discussion In a cluster development, dwelling units are grouped on certain portions of a site, and other areas in common or single ownership remain open and free from development. In a cluster residential subdivision, the lots and units are clustered on those portions of the site best suited for development, with common or public open space provided as a remainder of the site. Clustering is an environmentally sound concept, because it allows development in the most appropriate areas and prevents development in inappropriate areas such as flood -prone corridors and areas of unstable soil or steep terrain. Cluster subdivisions take advantage of natural methods for handling stormwater and preserve open space and other important natural features. Clustering is also economically sound, because it reduces infrastructure costs (the length of street and utility lines can be drastically reduced). The flexible location of buildings permits designs that save more energy than do conventional designs. Although the cluster concept is promising, cluster subdivisions are still not a common form of development in most communities. In some areas, developers are not interested in using the cluster design and providing common open space unless a significant density bonus is provided. In other areas, developers have used the affordable- housing argument to convince the city to simply rezone their properties to allow the development of smaller lots in conventional subdivisions. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Direct staff as deemed appropriate Attachments: Conventional VS. Cluster Example (Exhibit A) April 10, 1990 Council Staff Report (Exhibit B) Resolution No. 86 -318 (Exhibit C) June 16, 1986 Council Minutes (Exhibit D) PR10OCT90.a