Morrisville UDO - June 2017 version

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Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.5. Common Open Space and Public Recreation Area
5.5.1. Common Open Space
June 23, 2017 Morrisville, NC
Page 5-16 Unified Development Ordinance
Table
Area Counted as Common
Open Space
Description Design and Maintenance Requirements
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 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.
Required common open space shall be located to be readily accessible and useable by occupants
and users of the development. Where possible, a portion of the open space should provide focal
points for the development through prominent placement or easy visual access from streets.
If the development site is adjacent to existing or planned parks, greenways, or other public open
space, required common open space shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be located to adjoin,
extend, and enlarge the park, greenway, or other public open space.
If the development contains, or adjoins an existing or planned transit station, required common open
space shall, to the maximum extent practicable, adjoin the transit station site or be integrated with
the transit station or other open space adjoining the transit station in accordance with any Town-
adopted plans for the transit station area. Such required common open space shall be furnished
with at least three of the following types of community amenities: