Sustaining Agriculture in Urbanzing Counties: Insights from 15 Coordinated Case Studies

• Authored by:  D. Esseks
• Co-authored by:  L. Oberholtzer , K. Clancy , M. Lapping , A. Zurbrugg

Esseks, D., L. Oberholtzer, K. Clancy, M. Lapping, and A. Zurbrugg. Sustaining Agriculture in Urbanzing Counties: Insights from 15 Coordinated Case Studies, University of Nebraska: Lincoln (2009).

      This report reinforces how cluster development can not only improve access to development, but also helps preserve agricultural land, whereas conventional development practices can result in numerous, long driveways that reduce the agricultural viability of the nation’s farmland. It states: “Three other counties—Lancaster, Larimer, and Palm Beach—used cluster zoning to restrict housing densities in rural areas. Applications for relatively small-lot subdivisions were approved if the developer agreed to protect (with development-restricting easements) most of the total land for agriculture or other open space purposes. Large-minimum lot sizes may cut up land into uneconomic parcels for farming, as well as waste space such as in the form of long separate driveways and overly ambitious lawns.”