Least Constrained Land
Map 2 (Least Constrained Land) provides a picture of the land that has the fewest constraints for development. Physical constraints – steep slopes, floodplains, and sinkholes – severely limit development and cover about one-third of the sector’s land area. Areas of existing development, particularly because the homes and other buildings are relatively new, will not be redeveloped for many years and therefore are not considered as future development opportunities. What is left beyond those “constraints” is the level to rolling terrain that could be developed in the future.

The steep slopes are typically associated with Beaver, Black Oak, and Copper ridges. Two types of flooding—stream and sinkhole flooding—are significant concerns and will likely intensify with future development. Beaver Creek is the foremost concern in Karns. Flooding along Ten-Mile Creek and its associated system of sinkholes has been a severe problem, particularly in the Dutchtown Road and Cedar Bluff Road areas. Flood problems can become worse as runoff is increased. Such problems result from increases in impervious surfaces such as pavements and rooftops, grading steep slopes and a lack of reclamation of graded areas. These concerns have implications for all drainage basins, including substantially undeveloped areas like Conner Creek and Hickory Creek.

In order to protect slopes and reduce storm water runoff and erosion, MPC has guidelines for building on slopes. Table 7 outlines these guidelines along with the acreage associated with each type of slope.

Table 7: Acreage of Level to Steep Terrain
	Acreage	As a Percentage of Total Acreage	MPC Recommended Density
Slopes 0-15%	35,902	80.7%	No additional limitations
Slopes 15-25%	6,876	15.5%	1-2 dwelling units per acre
Slope >25-40%	1,677	3.8%	1 dwelling unit per 2 acres
Total Acreage	44,455	100%
Data Source: MPC, 2002. MPC Recommended Density Source: Streambank Development and Water Quality Protection Guidelines, MPC, August 1997.

Development is also constrained by the lack of infrastructure, particularly sanitary sewer services and adequate roads. (The availability of sewer service is further discussed in the utility section.) Where septic systems must be used, poor soils (for example, clays) or rocky outcrops typically demand larger tracts of land (upwards of one-acre) to support septic drain fields.