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Sensitive
Areas
The principle sensitive areas goal of the
City of Hagerstown is to protect all environmentally sensitive areas from
adverse impacts from human development. In order to achieve this goal, the
Plan identifies the following policies.
- Preserve streams and their buffer areas in
their natural state
Stream buffers are an important means of filtering runoff and limiting
it during heavy rainfalls, and they provide parkland that can enhance
the neighboring community. One of the prime opportunities for open space
in Hagerstown is a linear greenway along Hamilton Run. The preservation
of Antietam Creek is equally important. The Plan recommends that the
floodplain or 20-feet from edge of stream, whichever is greater, be
delineated as the buffer area for streams flowing past developed lands.
A policy needs to be developed for buffer widths and permitted and prohibited
activities for undeveloped lands along streams.
- Prohibit development in floodplains and on
wetlands.
Development is regulated in 100-year floodplains by the City's Flood
Management Ordinance. Topographic maps do not indicate any significant
wetland areas within the City of Hagerstown.
- Limit development in and near habitats of
threatened and endangered species.
There are no known habitats of rare animals or plants in the Hagerstown
area.
- Limit development on steep slopes to appropriate
types, designed to protect and take advantage of the slopes.
Steep slopes in Hagerstown are very limited in area and are fully developed.
The City should review redevelopment proposals to ensure that no further
development encroached into areas with slopes of 25% or greater and
that limited development occurs in areas with slopes between 10 and
25%.
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