Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance – September 2018

Article 5: Development Standards Section 5.5. Common Open Space and Public Recreation Area 5.5.1. Common Open Space

Table 5.5.1.C.2: Allowable Common Open Space Areas

Area Counted as Common Open Space

Description

Design and Maintenance Requirements

Squares, Forecourts, Plazas, and Outdoor Dining Areas

•

Squares, forecourts, plazas, and outdoor dining areas shall be at least 200 square feet, but no more than one acre, in area. • Such features shall have at least one direct access to a principal building, or to a street, bikeway, or walkway accessible to the public or the development’s occupants and users. • Surrounding principal buildings shall be oriented toward the square, forecourt, plaza, or outdoor dining area where possible.

Squares, forecourts, plazas, and outdoor dining areas that provide gathering places or active and passive recreational opportunities

Public Access Easements

Public access easements that are available for passive recreational activities such as walking, running, and biking

• Such public access easements shall include at least one direct and signed access from a street, bikeway, or walkway accessible to the public.

(Ord. No. 2015-002, 04/29/2015; Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016)

Areas Not Allowable as Required Common Open Space The following areas shall not be allowed as required common open space: a. Private yards not subject to an open space or conservation easement; b. Street rights-of-way or private access easements, including sidewalks located within those rights-of-way or easements; c. Open parking areas and driveways; d. Land covered by structures, unless designated for active recreational uses; e. Designated outdoor storage areas; and f. Stormwater ponds not located and designed as a site amenity (e.g., with low fencing, vegetative landscaping, gentle slopes, fountain or other visible water circulation device, and pedestrian access or seating). D. Design Standards for Common Open Space Areas used as a required common open space shall meet the following design standards: To the maximum extent practicable, required common open space shall be located and configured to include, protect, or enhance as many of the allowable types of common open space shown in Table 5.5.1.C.2 , Allowable Common Open Space Areas as possible, with a priority generally reflecting the order in which the types are listed in the table. Required common open space areas shall be compact and contiguous unless a different configuration is needed to continue an existing trail or accommodate preservation of natural features.

September 25, 2018

Morrisville, NC

Page 5-16

Unified Development Ordinance