Cluster development, an alternative
to the prevalent "cookie cutter" subdivision
approach to residential development,
has become a major tool of environmentally
conscious land-use
decision-makers. The premise of cluster
development is simple: rather than
being scattered about on roughly uniform
lots, buildings on a given parcel of
land are grouped together in a way that
makes construction more efficient
while preserving the land's aesthetic
qualities and protecting environmentally
sensitive areas.
Although the concept has several
historic precedents, it remains novel to
many local officials, and many developers
and builders seem wary of it. But
cluster housing can provide residential
developers with an ideal method of
satisfying local growth management
concerns while retaining the desired
density and type of development on a
given parcel.
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