Open Space Planning

As part of the preparation of Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plans and municipal Comprehensive Plans, Hanover Engineering staff (1) identifies and (2) provides options for the protection and preservation of natural areas and sensitive environmental and cultural features. Our Engineering and Planning staff is educated and experienced in the development of techniques and regulatory (ordinance) provisions that can provide extra levels of protection for such amenities. Examples include zoning/land development ordinance provisions related to (1) floodplains and wetlands areas; (2) carbonate geology areas; (3) steep slope areas; (4) woodlands and specimen trees; (5) riparian areas; (6) sensitive watersheds; (7) productive farmlands; (8) significant wildlife habitats; (9) historic, archaeological and cultural features; and (10) scenic view sheds.

Hanover Engineering staff have attended traning courses conducted by the Natural Lands Trust for writing Conservation Subdivision Ordinances. Growing Greener: Conservation By Design is a collaborative, state-wide program of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services and the Natural Lands Trust. The Conservation Subdivision development design approach is based on identifying the natural and manmade amenities of a site and then designing the development around such amenities. The results of this approach are developments that provide the number of dwelling units that could be achieved by using the conventional, “cookie cutter” development approach, while preserving as much as fifty percent (or more) of the tract in open space.