ARTICLE III. DISTRICTS

The purpose of the residential districts is to provide a full range of opportunity in accordance with the comprehensive plan, and specifically the housing element and land use element, for the orderly, healthful, convenient, and affordable distribution of housing throughout the county. A variety of densities and housing arrangements is provided based on the availability or expected availability of the public service infrastructure necessary to serve development. The lower density arrangements have been established in order to protect significant natural and environmentally sensitive lands from conversion to more intense land uses. These areas include woodlands, scenic areas, wetlands, watersheds, steep slopes, farmland, and other similarly sensitive areas. Their protection will help minimize environmental hazards such as flooding, erosion, siltation, and air and water pollution and serve to maintain the rural character and quality of the county.