Overcoming socio-economic barriers to conservation subdivisions: A case-study of four successful communities

Abstract

Conservation subdivisions have emerged as an option to conserve open space, protect water quality and wildlife habitat, and maintain scenic views without compromising property rights. Despite economic and ecological advantages over traditional subdivisions, conservation subdivisions remain rare. We used a mixed-method study combining a survey of 246 people who attended conservation subdivision workshops with a qualitative case study of four communities that successfully developed conservation subdivisions to identify potential barriers to conservation subdivisions and strategies to overcome those barriers. A principal component analysis based on survey respondent rankings grouped barriers into: resistance to change among stakeholders, concerns about differences between traditional subdivisions and conservation subdivisions, concerns about consumer demand, and misperceptions about construction costs. Survey respondents indicated the top barrier to completion of conservation subdivisions was lack of incentives for developers. The case study communities overcame resistance from developers and landowners through educational efforts including informal meetings, charrettes, and workshops focusing on the environmental and economic benefits of conservation subdivisions. The communities had support from elected officials, and planning staff devoted necessary resources to rewrite ordinances, review sketch plans, and perform site visits. To overcome barriers to conservation subdivisions, communities could provide incentives including density bonuses and expedited approval processes. Encouraging participation in workshops and design charrettes for proposed developments may alleviate concerns of landowners who perceive a loss of property rights from new regulations and aid in the acceptance of conservation subdivisions.