Site Design Standards (SDS)

SDS 6.5 Common Open Space: Area & Type

SDS 6.5.1 Intent.

Creating areas of common open space that are easily accessed by residents provides centers for community recreation and interaction.  Successful common open spaces exhibit the qualities of either a green, a courtyard, or a small nature preserve.  Common open spaces shall be either preserved to protect its natural qualities or designed to be more actively used by residents.

Standard:

SDS 6.5.2 Types.

All common open spaces shall be classified as one of the two following types:

• Natural Open Space is common open space that is in its natural, preserved, or restored state of natural woodland, grassland, or wetland.  Typical amenities provided are limited to items such as paths and benches.  The area of a pond or lake shall be classified as natural open space.
• Designed Open Space is common open space  that is created and designed for year-round use by residents or the public.  Typical configurations include greens, squares, courtyards, and gardens. Amenities are logically arranged and typically include benches, paths, formal or informal planting areas, lawns, and play equipment. Designed open space shall be aggregated into meaningful, quality open spaces. Clustering of buildings around designed open space is encouraged to minimize small, narrow, unassigned strips in front of and between buildings. Detention and retention facilities, including drainage swales and rain gardens, shall be classified as designed open space provided they are designed to meet and do not impede the goals, typical configurations, and typical amenities of designed open space.

SDS 6.5.3 Designation. 

Common open space areas shall be clearly identified on the development plan as Natural Open Space or Designed Open Space.

SDS 6.5.4 Required Common Open Space Area. 

Developments shall set aside a percentage of the net site acreage as common open space for the use and enjoyment of the development’s residents according to the following table.

SDS 6.5.5 Required Designed Open Space Area.

At least half of the required common open space shall be designed open space. Designed open space also counts as part of the required common open space area.

SDS 6.5.6 Detention and Retention Facilities.

Detention and retention facilities, including drainage swales, rain gardens, lakes, and ponds may be used to meet up to 100% of the required common open space provided such areas can be classified as designed open space or natural open space.

SDS 6.5.7 Exemptions.

No common open space shall be required for developments of less than five (5) acres if at least one of the following is located within a 1/4 mile of the development:

• Dedicated Public Park or Greenway Lands
• Dedicated Open Spaces

Effective on: 1/1/1901