GOAL

A wide variety of living environments which support a heterogeneous population and maintain the overall low density countryside character of the area and respect the carrying capacity of the area's natural resources.

OBJECTIVES

Insure that all new housing is designed and located to maintain and enhance the countryside character of the total BACOG area.

Promote responses where possible to the housing needs of limited income groups essential to the community, especially the elderly.

Insure that new multi‑family housing is located close to municipal services and transportation facilities.

Insure that all housing units meet reasonable minimum codes and requirements; take actions to eliminate substandard units through code enforcement, rehabilitation, or demolition. Be open to new concepts of public safety and protection, including fire safety/minimization techniques, as are now required.

Encourage new approaches to housing site design which promote more efficient use of land, energy conservation and maintain the low‑density countryside character of the area, and offer aesthetic compatibility.

Initiate an ongoing housing program aimed at monitoring and implementing needed housing programs within the area especially senior housing.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS
The BACOG area’s unique residential environments are among its most important assets. Traditionally, the area has been able to maintain a variety of different housing areas suitable for a diverse and heterogeneous population and at the same time maintain the overall countryside environment. Continued population monitoring is necessary to match population trends and forecasting to the continuing analysis of area housing needs and the appropriated mix of location, size and density.

HOUSING NEEDS
Total demand for new and used housing units in the BACOG area will remain strong. Special attention should be placed on the housing needs of seniors who are trying to maintain residency in the BACOG area. It is recommended that area villages cooperate with county housing authorities to implement on a scattered site basis, the placement of Section 8 families or individuals within the area. BACOG area villages should investigate the implementation of a rental housing code.

RESIDENTIAL AREAS
The BACOG Comprehensive Plan provides for a wide range of potential living environments that could accommodate a variety of housing types, and support a heterogeneous resident population. A clear distinction should be made between the more urban environment of the Village of Barrington and the more rural environment of the countryside. Therefore, residential densities between one unit per two acres and one unit per acre have been recommended only for areas which are already so committed and for new areas which are uniquely appropriate for this living environment. For most of the BACOG area, particularly in lower density and countryside sections, it is recommended that residential density represent three environmental alternatives; one unit per each one to two acres and one unit per five acres (predominantly rural), Rural Estates, with one unit for 5 to 10 acres. 1:1n contrast, the wide variety of living environments and housing types which would be represented by densities of more than one unit per acre should be clustered in the immediate vicinity of the Village of Barrington and at other limited sites.