The Scarborough Village proposal and the harness racing industry are environmentally friendly. A protected harness racing industry preserves family farms; and half of the acreage of the proposed development will be reserved for walking/bike trails, and passive open recreation space.
Preserving harness racing is an important and worthy goal. The sport supports an estimated 1500 family farms statewide, and supports and preserves from development over 100,000 acres, keeping it open and productive
From the 2006 Updated Comprehensive Plan, Section 3 Page 5
Wetlands
The ecological and economic benefits of wetlands have been widely recognized. These wetland benefits can be loosely grouped into three categories:
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Biological benefits include fish, shellfish, and wildlife habitat (feeding, breeding, nesting, and cover) and travel corridors. |
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Water quality benefits include groundwater recharge and discharge, stream flow maintenance, flood prevention, water quality maintenance, and shoreline protection from erosion. |
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Human benefits include recreational uses such as hunting, birding, fishing, boating, and hiking. The aesthetic and open space values of wetlands are important to communities. |
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Protecting important ecologically sensitive areas such as vernal pools and reuniting separated wetlands
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Development Standards
The development standards for the Crossroads area should provide a high degree of flexibility for development as long as the development is well planned and consistent with the vision for the district.
Some type of Planned Development zoning should be considered for the Crossroads district. Master development plans should be required for all parcels of land including the redevelopment of existing larger parcels. These plans should establish the overall character of the development together with the development pattern, types of uses to be allowed, circulation system, utility systems, and open space or protected areas before any development occurs.
These plans should help establish the development standards for the district. The development standards should encourage the minimization of stormwater runoff though limits on impervious surface, groundwater recharge, and the use of "green building" techniques.
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