A. General.
1. Purpose and Intent. Open air and semi-enclosed public gathering spaces can act as central organizing elements in a large development. They can also contribute to the relationship between different land uses and provide focal points and anchors for pedestrian activity.
2. Conflict. Whenever the regulations and requirements of this code are at conflict with any other lawfully enacted and adopted rules, regulations, ordinances, or laws, the most restrictive shall apply. Additionally, specific design provisions within the zoning district regulations of this subsection shall take precedence over the General Design Standards of Section 7.B. below.
3. Applicability (by Zoning District).
a. Mixed Use 4 (MU-4) and Mixed Use Core (MU-C) Districts. Pursuant to Chapter 3, Article III, Section 5.C.1, usable open space shall be required for all developments two (2) acres in size or larger. Such space shall be devoted to usable open space, consisting of plazas or public open space, excluding private recreation areas.
b. Infill Planned Unit Development (IPUD). A minimum of 200 square feet of usable open space shall be required per dwelling unit pursuant to Chapter 3, Article III, Section 2.G.3. The physical attributes of the site shall be respected with particular concern for preservation of natural features, tree growth and open space. Interior and open spaces shall meet the following criteria:
(1) Shall be required for residential development projects and mixed-use residential projects;
(2) Shall be designed to be available and accessible to every dwelling unit proposed;
(3) Shall include consolidated areas principally set aside for active or passive recreational space;
(4) Shall, where feasible, be centrally located in the development;
(5) May be designed or sited in conjunction with but shall not include private courtyards, landscape strips, perimeter landscape buffers, preservation/natural areas, and water bodies; and
(6) Shall not be occupied by streets, drives, parking areas, or structures other than recreational structures.
c. Suburban Mixed Use (SMU) District. Usable open space shall be required for each component of the mixed-use development pursuant to Chapter 3, Article III, Section 4.D.1. In addition, the following standards shall apply:
(1) Usable open space shall provide active or passive recreational space and shall not be occupied by water bodies, streets, drives, parking areas, or structures other than recreational structures.
(2) All least 50% of the required usable open space for single family residential uses shall be contained in one (1) or more common pooled areas and a rectangle inscribed within each common pooled area shall have no dimension less than 75 feet; and
(3) Up to 50% of the usable open space required for all other uses may be hardscaped plazas and public gathering places.
B. Design Standards. Where required or recommended, plazas and usable open space shall be designed as follows:
1. Location.
a. Common open space areas shall be located so as to be readily accessible and useable by residents or visitors in various locations of the development, unless the lands are sensitive natural resources and access should be restricted;
b. The lands shall be compact and contiguous unless the land shall be used as a continuation of an existing trail or specific topographic features require a different configuration. An example of such topographic features would be the provision of a trail or private open area along a riparian corridor;
c. Where private common open space areas, trails, parks, or other public spaces exist adjacent to the tract to be subdivided or developed, the private common open space or pedestrian amenity shall to the maximum extent feasible, be located to adjoin, extend, and enlarge the presently existing trail, park, or other open area land;
d. At minimum, the area shall be lighted to meet the requirements of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles; and
e. To the maximum extent feasible, where significant natural and scenic resource assets exist on a property, priority shall be given to protect and preserve as common open space. The assets shall be prioritized as follows:
(1) Wetlands;
(2) Flood hazard areas; and
(3) Tree preservation areas.
2. Materials. Plazas shall be designed with pavers and landscaped areas in order to provide a place for the public to enjoy the outdoors. Boardwalks may be used if the property is located along the Intracoastal Waterway provided that the boardwalk area is sized comparably with the intent of this subsection.
3. Seating Areas. At least one (1) linear foot of seating for every 30 square feet of plaza space is required. Seating surfaces shall have a minimum depth of 20 inches;
4. Access.
a. Pedestrians shall have direct access to the plaza from at least one (1) major thoroughfare and at least 50% of the plaza frontage;
b. At least one (1) accessible route complying with the Florida Building Code shall connect accessible buildings, accessible facilities, accessible elements, and accessible spaces that are on the same site.
c. Curb cuts providing motor vehicle access onto a plaza are prohibited; however, plazas may be designed to provide access for emergency vehicles;
5. Landscaping.
a. Landscape strips and perimeter landscape buffers, required under Chapter 4, Article II, Section 4 cannot count towards the minimum requirements of this subsection; and
b. Trees are required in accordance with Chapter 4, Article II, Section 6.B.
6. Maintenance. All common open space or pedestrian amenity areas shall be maintained by the owner(s) of the development.
(Ord. 12-016, passed 10-2-12; Am. Ord. 17-023, passed 9-19-17)