Zoning for Conservation Easements
27 Pages Posted: 2 Jan 2013 Last revised: 29 Aug 2014
Date Written: October 1, 2011
Abstract
Conservation easements have proliferated across the United States. These private agreements have profound impacts on local land use and are supported by general subsidies from the public, but are generally not connected in any way to local land use plans or zoning ordinances. This article proposes that conservation easements be treated like any other land use and incorporated into land use planning processes. Conservation easements should be allowed of right in some areas, and prohibited in others.
Keywords: conservation easements, land use planning, zoning
JEL Classification: K11, K32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation