Open Space Residential Explained

The Open Space Residential Overlay and the Open Space Mixed Residential Overlay zoning districts allow for a maximum density of 2.178 units/acre. The continued misinterpretation and misrepresentation of these zoning districts is unfortunate and unnecessary. Any confusion could easily be cleared up by reaching out to the subject matter expert, Mark Shipley, the Town's Community Development Director, who is tasked with implementing and enforcing the Town's policies, regulations and ordinances including the zoning ordinances.

The Open Space Residential Overlay (OSR) zoning district was adopted by Ordinance 03-18 on November 13, 2003. The Open Space Mixed Residential Overlay (OSMR) zoning district was adopted by Ordinance 06-05 on March 23, 2006. Both OSR and OSMR can only be applied over the base zone Rural Residential (R-1) which effectively limits any development rezoned R1/OSR or R1/OSMR to a maximum of 2.178 units/acre.

In the ordinances it states that the number of dwelling units permitted shall be determined by dividing the gross land area by the minimum lot size of the base zone. R-1 has a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet (sf) /unit. Dividing 43,560 sf/acre by 20,000sf/unit equals 2.178 units/acre.

Open space residential overlay district (OSR)

Open space mixed residential overlay district (OSMR)

R1/OSR and R1/OSMR allow houses to be clustered on the more buildable portion of a property and requires a dedication of a minimum of 35% open space. Clustering and density are two different things. No residential neighborhood zoned with the OSR or OSMR overlay can exceed 2.178 units/acre. R1/OSR allows only single family detached, R1/OSMR allows a mix of single family detached and attached (townhomes) but a concept plan is required before a property can be rezoned to R-1/OSMR.

The following subdivisions are zoned R-1/OSR (in parentheses is the actual density but under no circumstances does any subdivision zoned R-1/OSR exceed 2.178 units/acre):
  • Bridgemore
  • Unit 6 of Rockwell Farms (2.14 u/a)
  • Cool Springs (2.17 u/a)
  • Ivey Farms (1.93 u/a)
  • McKinley Station (1.9 u/a)
  • The Cove at Turkey Creek (2.15 u/a)
  • Brookmere (1.63 u/a)
  • Sheffield (1.68 u/a)
  • Brass Lantern (1.48 u/a)
  • Campbell Crossing (2.16 u/a)
  • Meadows at McFee (1.84 u/a)
The following subdivisions are zoned R-1/OSMR:
  • Briarstone
  • The Cottages at Pryse Farm (2.15 u/a)
  • The Grove at Boyd Station (2.15 u/a)

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