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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 2013
Morrisville, NC
Page 5-16
Unified Development Ordinance - Public Hearing Draft
D.
Design Standards for Common Open Space
312
Areas used as a required common open space shall meet the following design standards:
1.
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 Areasas possible, with a priority
generally reflecting the order in which the types are listed in the table.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
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:
a.
Benches or seating areas;
b.
Raised landscape planters;
c.
Shade structures;
d.
Public art (e.g., sculptures, murals, water elements, carvings, frescos, mosaics, mobiles);
e.
A courtyard;
f.
Decorative shelters for transit riders (as approved by the Town); or
g.
Similar community amenities approved by the Town.
E.
Development Within Required Common Open Space Areas
313
1.
Development within required common open space areas shall be limited to that appropriate to
the purposes of the type(s) of common open space (see Table
5.5.1.C.2 , Allowable Common Open Space Areas).
2.
Where appropriate to the type of common open space, such development may include, but is not
limited to:
a.
Walking, jogging, and biking paths or trails;
b.
Benches or other seating areas;
c.
Tables, shelters, grills, and other picnicking facilities;
d.
Docks and other facilities for fishing;
e.
Environmental education guides and exhibits;
312
These standards are intended to ensure that required common open space is located and configured to be accessible and
useable by development occupants and users. .
313
This establishes a general requirement that only development appropriate to the approved type of open space area is
allowed, and identifies examples of the limited forms of development that might be allowed in the various types of open space.