PRINCIPLE NO. 21 Conservation Incentives and Flexibility
Incentives and flexibility should be encouraged
to promote conservation of stream buffers, forests, meadows, and other areas of environmental value.
Off-site mitigation consistent with locally adopted watershed plans is also encouraged.
Notes:
A limited number of communities require conservation and protection of non-regulated areas such as stream buffers, forests, and meadows. Even fewer provide incentives for developers to consider better site design techniques that promote preservation of natural areas. Conservation of natural areas at the site level can be made a more attractive option through flexibility and incentives to developers to apply many of the principles identified here. Some methods to encourage conservation include open space development, reduced stormwater management requirements for environmentally sensitive developments, buffer averaging, property tax credits, density bonuses, and transferable development rights.