§ 85-704. Purpose, intent and objectives.

A. 

Purpose and intent.

(1) 

It is the intent of §§ 85-703 through 85-712 to create and implement herein a Route 25A Planned Conservation Overlay District ("the District"), consistent with the recommendations of the Route 25A Mount Sinai to Wading River Land Use Plan ("the Plan"). Sections 85-703 through 85-712 are specifically enacted to effect the District, which will cover those portions of the Route 25A Corridor lying between Mount Sinai and Wading River.

(2) 

The District regulations are intended to supplement the regulations of the underlying zoning district(s) along the corridor and to support development which preserves large portions of existing open space vacant contiguous non-singly and separately owned parcels of at least 35 acres, maintain scenic vistas, and retain the rural nature and character of the corridor. Additionally, the District will preserve the rural farming heritage, scenic vistas and recreational resources of the Route 25A Corridor from Mount Sinai to Wading River, and promote orderly, conservation development which meets the needs of a changing housing market and lessens negative tax impacts to special districts, including school districts.

B. 

All development proposed within this overlay district shall be subject to the procedures, standards, and guidelines specified in the following sections, in addition to those standards pertaining to the particular base zoning district in which the development or redevelopment occurs. Where there is a conflict, the standards of §§ 85-703 through 85-712 will apply.

C. 

In particular, the purpose of the Route 25A Planned Conservation Overlay District is to:

(1) 

Provide a mechanism for the as-of-right residential development of vacant contiguous non-singly and separately owned parcels of at least 35 acres which has fewer environmental, quality-of-life, and tax impacts to residents than traditional subdivision techniques.

(2) 

Encourage responsible conservation subdivision of remaining farmland and open spaces of at least 35 acres which preserves a large proportion of open space and scenic vistas in perpetuity.

(3) 

Prevent future residential sprawl utilizing traditional subdivision techniques which are likely to consume all remaining farmland, open spaces, and scenic vistas along the corridor, destroy critical habitat, and negatively impact the nature and quality of life of corridor residents.

(4) 

Provide a mechanism to develop or redevelop residential vacant contiguous non-singly and separately owned parcels of at least 35 acres which preserves soil integrity and promotes alternative energy such as solar farms.

(5) 

Provide increased housing choices to corridor and Town residents who may require more compact housing options which meet the needs of smaller families and single persons living alone, in conformity with the Suffolk County and Town of Brookhaven Comprehensive Plans.

(6) 

Prevent unpredictable and harmful property tax impacts associated with traditional subdivision techniques, and encourage more planned tax impacts associated with conservation subdivisions.