Recent legislation forced Orange County to adopt a cluster ordinance by July 1st of 2007. With the subdivision ordinance currently being revised by the Supervisors, it is difficult to draft a comprehensive cluster ordinance. In order to meet the deadline of July 1st, the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance requiring 90 percent conservation of open space. It is clear that the ordinance that was recently adopted will need further revision once the subdivision ordinance is approved.

The ordinance passed in June of 2007 allows for clustering on lots 112 acres or greater and requires 90 percent open space. The Board passed the ordinance due to a legislative mandate (must be adopted by July 1st 2007), but considers the ordinance overly restrictive. The Board now works to revise the ordinance before the end of the year. Current considerations include:
1) Extending Cluster to parcels 40 acres and greater.
2) Requirement of 75 percent open space.

PEC will continue to work with the County to ensure open space is designed to give the maximum benefit to important resources and to limit development to areas surrounding existing growth areas in the County (Towns of Orange and Gordonsville and the Route 3 corridor).