Landscape conservation through residential subdivision bylaws: Explanations for local adoption

• Controversy influences local preferences for managed growth through residential development bylaws.
• Land use patterns influence the adoption of bylaws.
• Building planning capacity can mitigate environmental impacts of development.

Subdivision bylaws influence the shape and character of open space within and across communities. Cluster subdivisions and conservation subdivision designs are intended to conserve open spaces and natural resources. Beyond antidotal evidence, however, explanations for why communities choose to adopt bylaws that permit these residential developments are not well understood. The purpose of this research is to identify predictors of subdivision bylaw choice. Data is derived from a survey of planners of cities and towns in the state of Massachusetts, U.S., and an ordered logit regression model is used to identify factors that influence bylaw adoption. The results indicate controversy over residential development increases the adoption of more conservation oriented residential development bylaws. The analysis also provides evidence of the influence planning capacity, local land use characteristics, and population characteristics have on local decisions.