Not many developers, and none of the big home builders, will apply for a special permit to build a conservation subdivision. It is too risky and causes delays that can last six months or more. These businesses have a responsibility to shareholders. That is why conservation subdivisions should be the "by right, permitted use" in ordinances, to make it easy for developers and their lawyers. A lot of developers want to do the right thing but conventional subdivision ordinances and stubborn, inexperienced planning officials who lack vision force them to build the conventional subdivision that destroys the land. I am excited about LandChoices' 'Supersize My Backyard' campaign, it is just what is needed!

Conservation subdivisions are vastly more appealing to consumers, have a much faster resale rate and higher resale value, and that is a fact. Consumers prefer the open space. I feel good developing land this way. The farmer at Jarvis Farm, Mr. Jarvis, used to walk around the open space at the subdivision I developed, proud that his land was kept intact after he sold for development. I was proud that I did not destroy his farm. Homes in conservation subdivisions sell as soon as they go on the market, within one week, even in a down real estate market. It is all about value. One woman at Jarvis Farm told me she just sold her house within three weeks this year when a woman slipped a note in her door asking if she wanted to sell as she loved the open space. When does that ever happen in a conventional subivision?"

Joe Flaherty, developer of Jarvis Farm, Owner, Orion Homes by Flaherty, Westford, MA


"I developed Centerville Conservation Community in Tallahassee Florida after a recommendation from Randal Arendt. It is the first conservation community in the region. We began closing lots in the fourth quarter of 2006. From a developer/realtor's perspective it has been extremely successful and I would never consider another development that was not a conservation community.

From a sales perspective conservation communities provide the perfect hedge to the two most critical aspects of development, price and absorption. First, when the market is good they command a premium. Second, when the market is slow they out sell competing developments. Centerville Conservation Community is the textbook example of this.

Even though this is the slowest residential market in over 20 years, to date, we have closed 84 of 200 lots. Centerville now controls 34% of the market segment and growing. Our in-house sales person was ranked number 16 of 2000+/- area Realtors for 2007 and she only sells Centerville lots!"

Jon Kohler, Developer of Centerville, Owner, Joh Kohler and Associates Real Esate Consultants, FL


"During both the Monroe 2020 process and the Open Space Program, we realized that we needed to provide the municipalities with a proven tool to not only preserve land but to assist them in managing growth in the second fastest growing county in the state. One of the tools we selected was NLT's (Natural Lands Trust) Growing Greener Conservation Subdivision Design Program. This program allows our municipalities to create ordinances that plan the development around the natural features and resources of the site. It also gives them the ability to preserve over half of the parcels as open space. We have been very successful with adding the Conservation Subdivision program as a valuable tool in our 'municipal toolbox' and to date, 10 of our 20 municipalities have adopted Growing Greener regulations. This achievement has been recognized by both the Natural Lands Trust and several state agencies including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources."

Christine Dettore, Monroe County Planning Commission Staff, Open Space Coordinator, PA


"I recently retired as a Professional Land Surveyor operating my own firm for the last 26 years subdividing land in accordance with local (Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson & Lenawee Counties) subdivision ordinances all being supported by Michigan's subdivison and land division acts. The problem is that most subdivision requlations are not creative including the people overseeing them which is a result of the their professional planning firm. They're (the planning firms) not creative and lead the local regulating bodies around by their nose believing that their planner's advice is gospel.

I believe that education is the key:
1. Educate the educators in stimulating creativity - most planners plan by theory and not the real world - planners need to develop ordinances that lend themselves to being creative and flexable, but first they must be taught how to do it.
2. Educate the local overseers (trustees, supervisors, planning commissions, etc.) as to the possiblities of creativity.
3. Educate the local health departments - Michigan has 83 counties with 83 different health ordinances - creativity requires flexabilty with infrastructure
4. Educate the local road commissions - they set the design standards for all road systems even when a system may not fall under their jurisdiction as most local municipalities follow their standards."

Tim Tietsema