The Rural Strategy included in Balance is designed to maintain the resources and traditional ties to the land that define Lancaster County's rural character for future generations.

Key Objectives

• Establish designated rural areas within which rural resources, rural character, and a rural way of life are sustained and incompatible development is precluded. Four types of rural area designations are proposed:
• Designated Agricultural Areas - the greatest intensity of agricultural uses
• Designated Agricultural with Natural Areas - agriculture mixed with a significant proportion of environmentally sensitive resources
• Designated Natural Areas - scenic, recreational, and natural resource areas
• Rural Centers - existing developed areas where rural growth will be guided. Rural Centers include:
• Village Growth Areas (existing communities of 50 or more dwelling units)
• Crossroads Communities (existing communities of 20 to 50 dwelling units)
• Rural Business Areas (developed areas with potential for limited growth)
• Rural Neighborhoods (areas of existing residential development)
• Reduce non-rural development outside of urban growth areas and direct it to rural centers to maintain the form and character of rural areas
• Maintain the viability of the rural economy, including agriculture and other economic activities that depend on rural resources or a rural location