LandChoices: Opportunities for Landowners to Preserve Their Land

Sugar Creek Preserve (Wisconsin)
Sugar Creek Preserve is a conservation subdivision with 52 homesites on 260 pristine acres in Walworth County's Sugar Creek Valley. Originally zoned for 52, 5 acre house lots, the property was destined under conventional zoning to become filled with houses, lawns and streets as most trees would have been cleared, rolling hills graded flat and the lake, pond and stream shores filled with homes. Using conservation subdivision design, approximately 177-acres, over 69% of the site, is permanently preserved as open space, including a lake, pond and stream, while still allowing 52 home sites. Sugar Creek Preserve creates a haven for homeowners, while protecting the extraordinary woodlands, fields, pond and sparkling stream.

Lots range from 40,510 sq. ft. (.93 acres) to 187,448 SF (4.3 acres) with the average being 53,500 sq. ft. (1.3 acres). The proposed density yields 1 home site for every 5 acres of land. The site meets the conservation subdivision ordinance requirements in Walworth County, Wisconsin, where LandChoices' Approved Conservation Subdivision Ordinance (used in LandChoices' "Supersize May Backyard" campaign) originated.

River Valley with Woodlands and Meadows This 85 acre site of mixed woodlands, fields, and meadows is located along a tributary of a very large river. This upland site includes large areas of mature hardwoods and smaller areas of young hemlock forests, together with a number of meadows and hayfields, bordering a headwaters stream that has been designated as having exceptional water quality. "Under ordinary circumstances, the entire property would almost certainly be developed into a checkerboard pattern of 'wall-to-wall' houselots," says author and land planner Randall Arendt. The original zoning (below left) called for 34 house lots, minimum 80,000 square feet (just under two acre house lots). In the conservation subdivision design (below right), just over 36.3 acres of the site is taken up by houselots (34) and streets, the average lot size being 36,000 square feet, or 0.85 acres (just under one acre house lots). 48.5 acres, almost two-thirds of the site, are undivided and permanently protected open space. For all River Valley images, please credit: Randall Arendt, Growing Greener: Putting Conservation into Local Plans and Codes, Island Press, 1999

River Valley Lot Yield Conventional Subdivision Suggested caption: The original site plan called for a conventional subdivision of 34 house lots of 80,000 square feet (just under two acres) each on the 85 acre site, taking up all but the unbuildable land. 1000 X 750 pixels (290k) 700 X 525 pixels (107k)	River Valley Lot Lines Conservation Subdivision Suggested caption: In the conservation subdivision, 34 houselots average 36,000 square feet (0.85 acres, just under one acre) each, on the 85 acre site, preserving 48.5 acres, almost two-thirds of the site, as permanently protected open space. 1815 X 1464 pixels (527k) 700 X 565 pixels (107k)

River Valley Conventional Site Plan 2048 X 1152 pixels (597k) 750 X 422 pixels (115k)	River Valley Conservation Subdivision Site Plan 1853 X 1119 pixels (762k) 750 X 430 pixels (127k)

Sugar Creek Preserve (Wisconsin) Sugar Creek Preserve is a conservation subdivision with 52 homesites on 260 pristine acres in Walworth County's Sugar Creek Valley. Originally zoned for 52, 5 acre house lots, the property was destined under conventional zoning to become filled with houses, lawns and streets as most trees would have been cleared, rolling hills graded flat and the lake, pond and stream shores filled with homes. Using conservation subdivision design, approximately 177-acres, over 69% of the site, is permanently preserved as open space, including a lake, pond and stream, while still allowing 52 home sites. Sugar Creek Preserve creates a haven for homeowners, while protecting the extraordinary woodlands, fields, pond and sparkling stream. Lots range from 40,510 sq. ft. (.93 acres) to 187,448 SF (4.3 acres) with the average being 53,500 sq. ft. (1.3 acres). The proposed density yields 1 home site for every 5 acres of land. The site meets the conservation subdivision ordinance requirements in Walworth County, Wisconsin, where LandChoices' Approved Conservation Subdivision Ordinance (used in LandChoices' "Supersize May Backyard" campaign) originated.

Sugar Creek Site Map (WI) (Please credit Red Wing Land Company for image) Suggested caption: Sugar Creek Preserve is a conservation subdivision in Walworth County, WI with 177-acres, over 69% of the site, permanently preserved as open space. 1061 X 1500 pixels (548k) 707 X 1000 pixels (219k) 495 X 700 pixels (110k)	Sugar Creek Aerial Map w/ Trails (WI) Please credit Red Wing Land Company 2125 X 1700 pixels (974k) 1375 X 1100 pixels (469k) 875 X 700 pixels (220k)


	Tryon Farm (Indiana) This is your view on the drive out from Tryon Farm, a conservation subdivision in northwest Indiana. This 40 acre field is farmed and permanently preserved. The preserved barn is used by the residents for ping pong, gatherings, special events and more. Four goats live in the barn also. The red wagon next to the barn is used for hayrides and provides countless hours of fun for residents. Tryon Farm Barn: 3008 X 2008 pixels (905k) 900 X 598 pixels (165k)
	Right View out kitchen windows of Tryon Farm (Indiana) Tryon Farm Kitchen: 2000 X 1330 pixels (395k) 1000 X 665 pixels (151k) Left One of the roads through Tryon Farm, a conservation subdivision in northwest Indiana. Tryon Farm Road: 1375 X 1375 pixels (616k) Tryon Farm Road: 750 X 750 pixels (222k)
	Left Home nestled in the woods at Tryon Farm (Indiana) Tryon Farm Woods: 1532 X 1149 pixels (618k) 850 X 638 pixels (211k) Right View of protected natural lands from homeowner's porch at Tryon Farm (Indiana) Tryon Farm Porch: 750 X 1128 pixels (146k) Below Homes at Tryon Farm (Indiana) are surrounded by permanently protected fields and forests interlaced with hiking trails. Tryon Farm View: 3071 X 796 pixels (678k) 1500 X 389 pixels (191k)