Recent research into Open Space Residential Design (Hamin, 2007) found that OSRD developments generally result in designs that provide more ecological and open space benefits than do conventional subdivision plans.  However, other goals are not achieved as well, including creative design, housing diversity, and other public goods.  

Well-trained planning boards are key to successful implementation of OSRD. New regulatory approaches might also be considered, including stronger design requirements and more robust evaluation criteria to support planning board negotiations.  Greater ecological and recreational benefits might also achieved by incorporating municipal and regional open space plans into site designs, in order to form habitat corridors or trail connections. 

30.a    MAPC should collaborate with allied organizations to provide additional training opportunities for planning boards on the evaluation of OSRD

30.b    MAPC and allied organizations should collaborate to disseminate a “next generation” of OSRD bylaws with stronger design requirements and evaluation criteria

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