Open Space

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 and West, and Valley Falls Pond, as well as vernal pools identified by the Town of Vernon Vernal Pool Study; and 3) subdivisions contains portions of land that would allow for trail connections, i.e. Shenipsit Lake, Hockanum River, Risley Pond and more.

Percentage contributions range from 12% to 20% based on the relative presence of the criteria stated above. Transfers of land with 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, which will provide natural resource protection recommendations to the Inland Wetlands and Planning and Zoning Commissions.