Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance - April 2019

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

Stormwater Management Devices

Up to 75 percent of land area occupied by stormwater management devices (including retention and detention ponds and other bioretention devices), when such features are treated as an open space site amenity

• To qualify, stormwater management devices shall support passive recreation uses by providing access and pedestrian elements such as paths, benches, and educational signage.

Formal Plantings and Gardens

• Formal plantings and gardens shall have at least one direct access to a building, or to street, bikeway, or walkway accessible to the public or the development’s occupants and users. • Such features shall be oriented to surrounding development.

Formally planned and regularly maintained open areas that provide passive recreation opportunities, including arranged plantings, gardens, gazebos, and similar structures, as well as roof gardens

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;

Morrisville, NC

April 23, 2019

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 5-15