Changes to Cluster Developments Approved

Smaller lot sizes will now be available to developers who propose to create a cluster development under the county’s land ordinances, thanks to changes approved by the Board of Supervisors at the May 26, 2020 meeting.

Cluster developments, which must be in the county code according to state law, would be allowed in Agricultural (A-1) and Residential (R-1) Use Districts.

This type of development has been in the county’s zoning ordinance for some time, but no developments utilizing this process have been constructed in Botetourt. A residential cluster development is also known as an open space development. It is the grouping of residential properties on a development site in order to use the extra land as open space, recreation, or agriculture.

The changes approved recently will allow the same number of houses on a piece of property, but on smaller lot sizes. Additionally, either public water or public sewer must be available to the development.

The changes in the A-1 district reduced the maximum density of the average lot size of all lot on a specific tract to 1.5 acres if the lots are served by either public water or public sewer. Additionally, the minimum lot size of cluster lots was reduced from 40,000 square feet to 9,000 square feet and the minimum lot size of conversation lots was reduced from 25 acres to three acres.

The ordinance provides for the preservation of open space through the creation of conservation lots, open space owned and maintained by a public entity or a homeowners association.

One person spoke against the ordinance changes. The Dal-Nita Hills resident specifically spoke out against the proposed Greenfield Meadows development on Etzler Road. That project, which has been in discussions for over a year, has not yet gone through the planning process because of concerns about traffic. It also is not a cluster development but is thought to be a traditional neighborhood development, or TND, which is a different ordinance.

The supervisors approved the changes 5-0.

                                                            — Anita Firebaugh, Special to The Botetourt Bee