YAVAPAI COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING ORDINANCE Page 69 SECTION 442 CLUSTER AND OPEN SPACE OPTION CLUSTER AND OPEN SPACE OPTION A. Purpose: The purpose of the Cluster and Open Space Option is to provide an alternative, voluntary method of land division that encourages sustainable development and the preservation of open space through flexible lot sizes and locations of single-family residential dwellings. B. Intent 1. Encourage a flexible and creative variety of planning designs through process efficiencies. 2. Encourage efficient infrastructure systems and environmentally responsible delivery of essential services. 3. Provide an alternative to the creation of parcel splits (“Lot” Splits) that are exempt from County Subdivision Regulations and an alternative to conventional subdivisions in an effort to retain the County’s rural character. 4. Employ development standards and guidelines that equitably balance conservation and development objectives. 5. Minimize the overall development footprint and preserve environmentally beneficial areas of the development site through the allowance of smaller lot sizes and cluster oriented design. C. General Requirements 1. The property shall be developed in accordance with the requirements herein and the Yavapai County Subdivision Regulations. The platted area shall include the developed residential lots and the associated open space areas to be preserved. 2. The Cluster and Open Space Option shall only be allowed in the R1L, RMM, R1 and RCU zoning districts, where no rezoning is requested. 3. Density: The maximum density shall not exceed that of the underlying zoning district(s). The maximum number of lots is determined by dividing the gross area of the tract of land by the minimum lot size specified in the underlying zoning. 4. Minimum Lot Size: The minimum lot area, minimum lot width and minimum lot depth established by the underlying zoning district(s) shall not be applicable. Buildable areas are encouraged to be varied and shall be approved by the County based on the suitability of the proposed lot sizes with surrounding land uses to ensure compatibility and to ensure compliance with applicable State law establishing the minimum lot size based on the proposed water and wastewater systems for individual lots. 5. Development Standards: The minimum building setbacks and maximum percentage of lot coverage established by the underlying zoning district(s) shall not be applicable. All buildings shall not exceed the maximum building height established by the underlying zoning district(s). The minimum building setbacks and maximum percentage of lot coverage shall be submitted and approved by the County as part of the Cluster and Open Space Option review process.