Preservation via development

I haven't thought through the implications of this, but did think the current discussions in Avon may be worth considering in the discussions in Cheshire... so figured I ought to mention this Courant editorial:

Avon may be the first town in the state to implement a land-use tool called transfer of development rights, or TDR. This is a way of getting the private sector to pay for preservation of open space.

It works like this: A community designates an area it wants to protect - usually farms or forests - and an area where it wants development. Landowners in the protected area are given development credits, which they can sell to developers, investors or the community itself.

In return for selling the credits, the landowner in the preservation area agrees to place a conservation easement on the land. Meanwhile, the buyer of the credits can develop at a higher density than otherwise allowed on the property designated for development.

So, in effect, a private investor has paid for development rights to keep a farm or forest from being developed.

Any comments? I'm too busy getting ready for my trip to think this through right now.

Tim White
Town Council, 4th District