Strategic Management Options

When considering how to implement an openspace plan, the local planning community should consider the various ways to approach protecting areas as openspace. Below is a list of strategic management options for Charlestown:

Fee Simple Acquisition

• Purchase full title to land outright
• Can also be donated by landholder
• Owner has full control, but also full responsibility for liability and maintanence
• Allows full protection and full public access
• Removes land from tax rolls
• Land can be leased back to original owner, provided that leaseback value is present
  (ie farms)
  

Conservation Easements

• Purchase of development rights from landholder
• Can also be donated by landholder
• Keeps land in private holding, but permanently protects it from development
• Property remains on tax rolle, but at a reduced rate because of restricted use
• Owners can change, restrictions are permanent

Bargain Sale

• Land is sold at less than fair market value
• Part of the parcel is sold, the other part is donated
• Seller benefits because difference between fair market value and sale price is considered a charitable contribution. As a result, seller pays reduced capital gains tax

Zoning

• Preservation Zoning Overlays - In areas that have been identified as important places for preservation, special zoning overlays can be created to preserve openspace. This works particularly well in areas that have already been highly developed, and fee simple acquisition is not reasonable. In the case of Charlestown's potential openspace, areas around Ninigret and Quononchontaug Ponds could be protected by developing a special zoning district in which development could be more heavily regulated, design standards could be set, etc.
  
  
• Scenic Byways Designation - The Scenic Byways Board of RI Department of Transportation facilitates the identification and protection of scenic and culturally significant routes through the scenic designation. Municipal planners identify roads for designation and are provided with funds and support to create stewardship plans to preserve the character of roadways. Rhode Island currently has seven scenic roadways, of which Shannock Road is one. Stewardship plans can include detailed guidelines for development along a scenic byway, and can serve to protect viewshed along designated roads.