of limiting some of the scattering of homes throughout the township in the quest for less expensive land which generally results in higher energy consumption, more travel, and greater land consumption.

 

5  Open Space Subdivisions.

 

- This type of development is one in which residential dwellings uses would be in multiple family dwellings or duplex type of development with large amounts of open space being retained can serve to protect unique or environmentally sensitive areas as well as lowering development costs which can translate to less expensive housing.

 

6  Cluster Development.

 

Cluster Development has the benefit of providing open space by the use of small sized residential lots with detached single family detached structures located on each lot.

 

7  Limited Non-Farmstead Development.

 

This form of development in the agricultural and forested areas of the township would limit the number of dwellings to 16 per square mile. Residential building sites would only be allowed in those small areas that are not well suited for farming or the production of timber.

 

8  Creation of village center in addition to the Village of Bellaire.

 

-    A second village within the township would provide a second area of focus within the township that would contain commercial and service facilities to service the surrounding residential development that would be encouraged to locate in that "second village". A second village would assist in retaining the village atmosphere of Bellaire and would result in an area where new "high density" development (4 units per acre) residential development could occur.

2 - 9

STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

 

To get an idea of the possible responses to plans of potential developers, people owning 100 acres in Forest Home Township were sent a survey. Eighteen out of 36 responses (50%) were received. Each survey recipient was asked to select one of the eight possible community development options and then return the survey.

 

None of the options were selected by a majority of the respondents. The responses favored concentrating development around the Village of Bellaire with 39% of the respondents selecting this option. Keeping vacant, agricultural and forested land void of non-farm related structures was selected by 28% of those surveyed. The "Cluster" and Limited Non-farm Development options each received 11% support as the desired type of development. Open space subdivisions and conventional development resulting from following the subdivision control act each received support from 5.5% of the responders.

 

 

 

2-10

 

Of notable interest is the fact that none of respondents choose the typical development style that is used to avoid or circumvent the Subdivision Control Act or the creation of a new village center at a location remote from the Village of Bellaire (option numbers 2 or 8).

 

 

While the numbers of responses to this limited survey might result in a low confidence level from a statistical standpoint, it is informative. The individuals who are most likely to be impacted by recommendations as to how land should be developed in the future are clearly indicating that none support the division of land which is most commonly viewed as being the least expensive and the quickest method of getting land on the market. This method has been found to do the least for enhancing property values of the property to be sold.

 

2-11