Page 40 - Northville Township

NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION

This designation is applied to established neighborhoods that are largely built-out and stable, and where no significant
change in development type or pattern is expected or desired. Implementing a conservation strategy typically involves
repurposing previous zoning districts, and recalibrating their uses and standards, to maintain the desired neighborhood
character. This zoning approach is designed to “lock in” standards that reflect and reinforce how a neighborhood
originally developed or has evolved over time, to preserve its existing, prevailing character. In other cases, a customized
Neighborhood Conservation zone may serve to manage a neighborhood in transition, such as where older homes
fronting on a perimeter street with increasing traffic volumes could be allowed to convert to small-scale office uses over
time while still maintaining a residential character and appearance.
Primary Land Use Types
– Detached residential dwellings and, in particular neighborhoods, may include some attached housing types.

– Public/institutional uses (including certain public assembly uses such as places of worship).
– Parks and public spaces.

Neighborhood Conservation area at the southeast corner of Northville Township, north of Five Mile Road.

Characteristics
– The integrity of older, intact neighborhoods may be protected through customized Neighborhood Conservation
zoning with standards that ensure no significant change in the development type or pattern and reinforce existing
physical conditions (e.g., prevailing lot sizes, building setbacks, architectural elements such as front porches, etc.).
– Designed to preserve existing housing stock and also to govern potential infill and/or redevelopment activity within
a neighborhood to ensure compatibility while avoiding excessive variance requests and/or nonconformities.
– Depending on the particular neighborhood, the customized zoning may provide for small-scale office or retail uses
on vacant sites at the edge of the neighborhood or other appropriate locations.

36 NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP Master Plan