special exceptions recently they

special exceptions recently they have required that a deed restriction be placed on the remaining land noting that future development rights have been limited by the smaller lot or lots already allowed.

Dr. Krebser said, for example, if he has 700 acres and 250 of it is mountainous and on steep slopes, this would allow him to put 10 houses on land he ordinarily could not develop.

Mr. McCarthy said that one problem with the way the current special exception process is working is that in the future a court could void the deed restrictions.

Mr. McCarthy said, “My fear is that I will be sitting at a desk behind (Commonwealth Attorney) Peter Luke trying to defend our zoning ordinance, and someone will argue that 25 acres is not economically developable. If your intent is to keep people out, it’s wrong on its face. You will encourage that the whole county be divided into 25-acre pieces.”

Mr. Fannon replied that the PURD concept will encourage people to build a lot of little houses on four or five acres, “and they’re going to put them on top of the biggest hill they have. Looking at eight houses on a hill is not more aesthetically pleasing than looking at 25-acre lots.”

“I’ve never been much for PURD,” Hampton representative John Clark Jr., added. “I think you ought to throw it in the trash can. People can bring in 19-foot house trailers and you have 25 more kids in school. How does the county benefit? What we have is working for the simple reason that 25 acres is not economical to develop. ”

“It would be an interesting question for Mr. White to include in his survey,” Mr. Fannon said.

“I wouldn’t mind making it mandatory,” Mr. Massie said. “I would like to see strong encouragement for clustering rather than giving them extra density.”

“Let’s see what the survey shows about low-cost housing,” Dr. Krebser said.

Ir