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Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.5. Common Open Space and Public Recreation Area
5.5.2. Public Recreation Area
June 2013
Morrisville, NC
Page 5-18
Unified Development Ordinance - Public Hearing Draft
5.5.2.
Public Recreation Area
A.
Purpose
The purpose of this section is to ensure that new residential subdivisions include or contribute to the
provision of public recreation area sufficient to meet the passive and active recreation needs of
residents of the subdivision, as well of the surrounding neighborhood.
B.
Applicability
The standards in this section shall apply to all new residential subdivisions subject to Major Subdivision
Preliminary Plat Approval (Section 2.5.6.C) or Minor Subdivision Plat Approval (Section 2.5.6.D).
C.
Required Public Recreation Area
Any subdivisions proposing to create lots designed and intended to serve as building sites for single-
family detached, duplex, manufactured home, single-family attached, or multifamily dwellings shall
dedicate a portion of the subdivision site as public recreation area. The amount of land required to be
dedicated shall equal 1/35 of an acre times the number of dwelling units proposed to be
accommodated by subdivision lots (for subdivisions creating lots for single-family detached,
manufactured home, or single-family attached dwellings, this will equal the number of such lots; for
subdivisions creating lots for duplex dwellings, this will equal twice the number of lots; for subdivisions
creating lots for multifamily dwellings, this will equal the number of dwelling units proposed on the
lots).
D.
Design Standards for Required Public Recreation Area
Areas used as a required public recreation area shall meet the following design standards:
1.
Required public recreation area shall be compact and contiguous, forming a single area, unless
multiple public recreation areas or a different configuration is needed to continue an existing trail
or accommodate preservation of natural features.
2.
The size and shape of required public recreation area shall be sufficient to accommodate active
recreation activities appropriate to the recreational needs of subdivision residents (e.g., public
recreation area should be sufficiently large and rectangular to accommodate soccer or softball
fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, etc.).
3.
Required public recreation area shall be located to be readily accessible and useable by
occupants and users of the development.
4.
Required public recreation area shall have at least 50 feet of frontage on a public street or a
public access easement at least 30 feet wide.
5.
No land dedicated as active public recreation area shall be located on slopes exceeding five
percent.
6.
No more than 25 percent of land dedicated as active public recreation area shall be located
within a Floodplain Overlay District.
7.
If the development site is adjacent to existing or planned parks, greenways, or other public open
space, required public recreation area shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be located to
adjoin, extend, and enlarge the park, greenway, or other public open space.
E.
Dedicated Recreation Area to be Shown on Recorded Plat
Dedicated recreation area shall be shown on the recorded Major Subdivision Final Plat or Minor
Subdivision Plat, as appropriate.
F.
Conveyance of Dedicated Recreation Area
1.
Required public recreation area shall be dedicated to the public and conveyed to the Town or
other public agency that is organized for, capable of, and willing to accept responsibility for