How does a voluntary TDR program differ from a mandatory one?
In a voluntary TDR, sending and receiving area landowners have the ability to maintain their property as is, sell development credits or develop the property at the current base density. In a mandatory TDR scenario, owners can also maintain their property as is or sell development credits allocated based on the current base density. The difference occurs, however, if the owner wishes to develop their property. In this case, they may develop but the base zoning at which they can develop is severely restricted. Mandatory programs are enacted to encourage TDR transfers when development pressure in the sending area is extreme or when sending area resources are so fragile that even minimal development is not acceptable.
