YAVAPAI COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING ORDINANCE Page 70 6. Maximum Project Size: The Cluster and Open Space Option shall not be utilized for parcels in excess of six hundred forty (640) acres in size. The parcel size shall include the developed residential area and the associated open space area. 7. Maximum Hillside Characteristics: The Cluster and Open Space Option shall only be available for properties with less than fifty percent (50%) of the total project land area above the fifty percent (50%) slope category. 8. Minimum lot areas shall comply with State law. D. Permitted Uses: Primary and Accessory Uses of the underlying zoning district(s) as described in the County Planning and Zoning Ordinance. Open Space. E. Open Space: 1. The minimum amount of open space shall comprise at least forty percent (40%) of the gross tract area. 2. Open Space shall be defined as provided in Section 440 of the Zoning Ordinance. 3. To the greatest degree practicable, open space shall be designated as a contiguous tract and not divided into unconnected, small parcels located in various parts of the development. 4. Open space shall be directly accessible to the largest practicable number of lots within the subdivision. Non-adjacent lots shall be provided with safe, convenient access to the open space. 5. Whether private or public, it shall be the responsibility of the developer to ensure that the open space is protected in perpetuity by legal arrangements, sufficient to assure its maintenance and preservation for whatever purpose it is intended. Covenants or other legal arrangements shall specify ownership of the open space, method of maintenance; maintenance taxes and insurance; compulsory membership and assessment provisions and any other specifications deemed necessary by the County. F. Performance Standards: The Cluster and Open Space Option is available provided the following standards are met. Applicant shall comply with all other applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and all other applicable laws, except those that are incompatible with the provisions contained herein. 1. Lot Groupings: Lot or cluster groupings shall be separated by open space to provide spatial definition between groupings. 2. Buffers: a. Perimeter buffers shall be provided to protect existing neighborhoods by mitigating the adverse impacts of smaller lot sizes (e.g. sound, visibility and traffic). b. Buffers may include landscaping, walls, fences, pathways, drainage ways, natural features, existing vegetation and natural open space. c. Perimeter buffer shall be equal in depth to a minimum of fifty feet (50’).