Roads have a scenic character, often narrow and winding with little traffic.
The character of the landscape predominates.
There is almost no car-oriented commercial development.
Landscapes are places where the historic character of the land is still intact. Because human habitation is sparse, natural features such as forests, rolling hills, lakes and streams predominate. The little development that has taken place is at very low densities and is primarily in the form of farms and historic homesteads. Rural roads and scenic byways are an essential part of the experience of these places. Development in these areas is extremely limited and any new development needs to be exceptionally sensitive to the character of the landscape and the integrity of natural systems.
Development patterns respond to the existing natural systems. Natural features are conserved to the greatest extent possible.
Storm water is managed using Low Impact Development (LID) strategies. Impervious surfaces are minimized and the existing hydrology of the site is maintained. Water resources such as streams and wetlands are conserved and enhanced.
Roads are rural in character. They are narrow and use passive drainage techniques such as swales.
A trail network enables access to the open spaces and natural areas.
Development is not responsive to natural systems. Natural features such as stands of mature trees and wetlands are not conserved.
Storm water management uses standard suburban high-impact techniques and the amount of impervious surface, both from roads and individual properties, is excessive.
Access roads are typical suburban subdivision road types that are excessively wide and do not use low-impact strategies for drainage.
Houses are out of context both in terms of size and design. Strip-type commercial development is disconnected and out of character with the context.
Development patterns respond to the existing natural systems. Natural features are conserved to the greatest extent possible.
Storm water is managed using “low impact development” (LID) strategies. Impervious surfaces are minimized and the existing hydrology of the site is maintained. Water resources, such as streams and wetlands are conserved and enhanced.
Roads are rural in character. They are narrow and use passive drainage techniques such as swales.
A trail network enables access to the open spaces and natural areas.
Section Through Existing Corridor
Vegetated slopes absorb and filter run-off and release it slowly to groundwater.
Tree-shaded streams with gravel bottom are ideal; cold water at a consistent level makes ideal trout habitat.
Underdeveloped floodplain stores runoff; wetland vegetation filters silt and nutrients and protects banks from erosion.
Modest width of road limits the volume of runoff.
Lawns and tree belts absorb and filter the runoff.
Section Through Existing Corridor - Typical Zoning
Clearing for new home sites boosts runoff as lawns replace forests, and sedimentation and pollution persist.
Surface runoff from roads and driveways carries oily pollutants and heavy metals into streams. Underground, septic systems load the groundwater with nutrients.
Businesses expand on the stream side, clearing for views and parking.
Land filling and loss of vegetation increase the size and frequency of floods. The increase in flow requires rip-rapping of stream banks to prevent erosion.
Tree cutting increases water temperature. Nutrients from fertilizer and septic effluent use up available oxygen and water levels fluctuate as groundwater subsides and flooding increases. Trout habitats will vanish.
Underground gas tanks pose potential danger for leaks.
Highway widening and new parking lots and driveways eliminate trees and lawns, and the volume and velocity of runoff increases.
Section Through Existing Corridor - Buffer Zone Protection
Septic systems placed beyond the buffer zone will allow for minimum possible treatment of waste-water before contact with surface water sources.
Allow new homes at low densities outside of the village. Site plan controls keep the clearing and grading to a minimum. Collect runoff from site.
Retain all storm-water runoff on site using constructed pond/wetland systems.
Create buffer zones along stream banks within which any development is strictly regulated. Potential use as greenway park for recreation as well as wildlife habitat.
Maintain historic width of Main Streets and enhance pedestrian areas.
Accommodate growth of village through infill careful expansion at like densities. Compact development patterns allow efficient community wastewater treatment to replace individual septic systems.
Rural Road Types
Rural Collector Road - 22 feet wide plus shoulder.
