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Sec.78-1631.-Purpose and intent. • <br /> The City of Orono as a result of the Rural Oasis Study conducted in 2005 finds that there is an intrinsic link between the natural systems and <br /> the valued scenic character that exist throughout the community.The requirements of this conservation design ordinance are meant to preserve <br /> and enhance this ecological/aesthetic character by requiring: (1) protection and enhancement of drainageways and water quality; (2) protection <br /> and enhancement of ecological communities; (3) reinforcement and establishment of ecological connections throughout the city; (4) <br /> augmentation and preservation of viewsheds including corridor enclosure and buffering; (5) preservation and improvement of views; and (6) <br /> preservation or reinterpretation of local landmarks. <br /> (Ord.No.67 3rd series,§1,1-11-2010) <br /> Sec.78-1632.-Applicability. <br /> The Conservation Design Master Planning requirements of this article apply to all proposed residential subdivisions or multi-unit residential <br /> developments greater than five acres in total area or guided for urban density(greater than one unit per two acres). <br /> (Ord.No.67 3rd series,§1,1-11-2010) <br /> Sec.78-1633.-Definitions. <br /> The following words,terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where <br /> the context clearly indicates a different meaning: <br /> Conservation design means a two-phased approach to design and development that maintains or improves ecological assets, provides <br /> infrastructure that works with the land, and incorporates people's instinctive desire to experience nature. Some conservation design strategies <br /> include:identifying and avoiding sensitive natural features, planning roads along contours,allowing lots to border natural open space,integrating <br /> ecological stormwater management, using smaller lots, and educating developer and buyers about the ecological values of the landscape. The <br /> first phase entails an inventory and analysis of the potential development site's natural features,existing land uses,and wetland delineation.The <br /> second phase entails analyzing the design implications of the findings from the initial phase, alternative stormwater design, and a conceptual <br /> design for road and lot layouts. <br /> Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) means the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) displays data on <br /> natural/semi-natural and cultural cover types at the highest level of classification. The next four levels of classification each reveal further <br /> specifications such as plant types,soil hydrology, hardcover and plant species. Using MLCCS data is the first step in producing a natural resource <br /> inventory of a development site. <br /> Orono Natural Resource Inventory means an element of the Orono Community Management Plan that displays the ecological connections <br /> within and beyond the City of Orono. <br /> Corridor enclosure means the nature, appearance and relative degrees of screening provided by roadside vegetation. Corridor enclosure <br /> types include: <br /> Open enclosure:Long views beyond the right-of-way,no real sense of corridor enclosure. <br /> Edged enclosure:Solid wall of vegetation along roadside,views focused along corridor. <br /> Tunneled enclosure:Vegetation begins to completely enclose roadway,above and sides,creating a"small scale"roadway experience. <br /> Varied enclosure:Enclosure changes rapidly along corridor,short stretches of open,edged,and tunneled corridor. <br /> View analysis means the process of determining whether a view is positive or negative. <br /> Positive views:Views of natural areas,water bodies,established parks,wetlands,rural and historic land uses. <br /> Negative views:Views of structures, particularly multi-family residential, institutional, and commercial and industrial uses.Views of power <br /> lines,telephone poles and other utility infrastructure. <br /> Landmark preservation and enhancement means preserving and maintaining distinct cultural features, landmarks and unique points of local <br /> character,both natural and man-made,to maintain a familiar sense of place in the community. <br /> Ecological Management Categories: <br /> Level 1:Ecological"off-limits"areas,including wetlands and required buffers,historic drainage. <br /> Level 2:Ecological opportunities,including existing degraded drainageways and existing degraded ecosystem remnants. <br /> Level 3:Ecological possibilities:Areas suitable for stormwater treatment. <br /> Page 13 <br />