Preservation of open space is an objective of the small area plans as identified by the community at their citizen input meetings. Open space can consist of many characteristics. It may include farmland, forests, floodplain areas, buffers along rivers or scenic vistas. Following are tools available to local governments to preserve open space. The tools include regulatory techniques, which are implemented through an ordinance, and financial options.

• Floodplain Ordinance - The County's floodplain ordinance prohibits development in the 100-year floodplain as mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The floodplain area would remain in its natural state and serve as a buffer and habitat area. Generally, subdivision lots include the area in the 100-year floodplain unless the subdivision is developed as a cluster subdivision.
• Cluster Subdivision - Developers have an option when developing a subdivision to create a traditional lot-by-lot subdivision or a cluster subdivision. A cluster subdivision allows the developer to create smaller lots which are concentrated in one area of the development in exchange for retaining permanent open space in the remaining portion of the development. The open space preserved could include areas such as wetlands, forest areas, steep slopes, floodplains, farmland or active recreation areas for the property owners. The incentive to the developer to develop a cluster subdivision is the reduction in lot sizes, less road construction costs and a density bonus based on the overall acreage of the tract. This tool can be used where a proposed development is in a rural area where the developer could retain a buffer against adjoining farmland or along the road to preserve the rural character.
• Riparian Buffer Regulations - Effective June 30, 2001, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources is enforcing a riparian buffer law on the lakes. The buffer is a 50-foot wide area adjoining the lake which must be maintained to preserve water quality. The first 30 feet must not be disturbed and no structures, except those incidental to the water, are allowed. The remaining 20 feet can have the vegetation removed and replaced with grass, but no structures are allowed with exception of the grandfathering provision. This allows an area of open space along the lakeshore to be preserved.
• Present Use Value Program - This is a program whereby farmers and owners of forestland can apply for a reduction in the local tax value of their land based on their current agricultural or forestry use. With lower property taxes, it is an encouragement for farmers to remain in farming.
• Land use planning - Encourage infill development where the infrastructure, such as water, sewer, roads, schools, etc. can support the higher density development. The County currently has a sliding scale of lot sizes for new subdivisions based on the infrastructure available to serve the lot. For example, if public water and school capacity is available, the lot sizes can be one acre. If infrastructure is not available, the lot size must be at least two acres. This allows for higher density development to occur closer to the cities where it can be served by public water and sewer. The rural areas not served by infrastructure are developed at larger lot sizes, thereby reducing impacts on the natural resources.

• Mandatory open space requirement - Local governments, through its enabling legislation, can require mandatory open space in all new developments. This is similar to the cluster subdivision technique but would be a requirement rather than an option which is currently available in the County.
• Voluntary Agricultural District - This tool is available by authority of the General Statutes whereby a special agricultural district can voluntarily be established to promote continuation of farming and forestry operations. Property owners would request the creation of the district which would then afford them protection from nuisance lawsuits and condemnation. Iredell County recently has adopted an ordinance which allows farmers to petition for establishment of an agricultural district.
• Transfer of Development Rights - Under this tool, the rights to develop land in one area is either sold or transferred to another area by agreement of the property owners. The area where the rights are relinquished is called the "sending" zone and the area where the additional density is applied to is called the "receiving" zone. The sending and receiving zones are typically identified during a planning process. This tool provides one of the best opportunities for preserving open space because the sending zone is preserved as permanent open space. Unfortunately, the obstacles of creating such an ordinance must be overcome. This tool requires authority from the General Assembly to implement. Also, it is sometimes met with opposition which is the case in the Town of Huntersville.

• Conservation easement - This tool is a legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization, such as a land trust, or a governmental agency. The voluntary easement restricts the use and the development of the land usually in perpetuity. Easements can be negotiated to allow for divisions of the land for family and retention of the existing use of land. Conservation easements are typically used for preserving farmland and natural/scenic areas. The benefits to the landowner are a reduction in federal, state and sometimes local taxes due to the reduced value of the property.
• Purchase of Development Rights - In this program, the local government purchases the rights to develop a tract of land from the landowner through an easement agreement. The owner retains other rights to the property, such as the right to farm, mine, and live on the property. This program requires a financial commitment from the local government. This program is currently being implemented in Wake County who uses grant money from the State in addition to local money.
• Fee simple acquisition - A local government can purchase a tract of land to preserve it. In fee simple acquisition, the property and all its rights are transferred to the local government in its entirety. Obviously, this program would be more expensive than the purchase of developments rights as discussed above.