Open Space Contribution
Effective April 2007, Town of Vernon Subdivision
Regulations 6.1.3 were modified by the Planning and Zoning Commission for the
dedication of open space under certain conditions. Key criteria
includes, for example, 1) areas sensitive to development, prime & important
farmland, existing open space areas 2) Water resources
including the Hockanum River, Ogden Brook, Tankerhoosen River, Gage's
Brook, Railroad Brook, Walkers Reservoir East & West, Valley Falls Pond or a
Vernal Pool identified by the Town of Vernon 2006 study 3) Subdivision
contains portions of land that would allow for trail connections, i.e.
Shenipsit, Hockanum River, Risley Pond and more.
Percentage contributions range from 12% to 20%
based on stated criteria. Transfers of land that is less than 5 lots to a
parent, child, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle for first
cousins are excluded from mandatory consideration, but will be reviewed by
the Conservation Commission who will provide natural resource protection
recommendations to the Inland Wetlands and Planning and Zoning
Commissions.