The open space shall be located so as to be consistent with the objectives and purposes of a planned residential development and shall adhere to the following requirements:
1. A minimum of 30% of the lot area of the planned residential development shall be devoted to common open space. Stormwater facilities shall be excluded from the calculation for open space unless the stormwater facilities are included in the landscaping plan.
2. There shall be provisions which ensure that the open space land shall continue as such and be properly maintained. The developer shall either:
A. Dedicate such land to public use if the Township or another public agency has indicated it will accept such dedication;
B. Retain ownership and responsibility for maintenance of such open space land; or
C. Provide for and establish one or more organizations for the ownership and maintenance of all common open space.
D. The organizational documents for such organization shall be reviewed and approved by the Township Solicitor and shall, at a minimum provide for:
(1) Operated with financial subsidization by the developer, if necessary, before the sale of any lots within the development;
(2) Mandatory membership in the organization for all owners of dwelling units;
(3) Maintenance of insurance and taxes on common open space;
(4) Maintenance and development common open space;
(5) Provisions for governance of the organization;
(6) Provisions for remedies for failure to maintain common open space.
3. Common open space shall be provided in the form of internal open space, greenways, and perimeter buffers. Internal open space shall be designed to provide a variety of outdoor experiences and amenities, such as pocket parks, plazas, greens/squares, mini park/play areas, or neighborhood parks. There shall be at least one internal open space type located within 1,500 feet of 90% of all dwellings within a new neighborhood, determined by a 1500-foot-radius from the outermost boundary of such open space.
4. Internal open spaces shall contain a minimum area of 500 square feet and shall be shaped in a rectangular or square shape. Internal open space shall be spatially enclosed on at least two sides by the buildings that front on the area or front upon the streets bounding the area. The internal open space shall be landscaped such that a minimum of 75% of the area is covered with trees, shrubs, lawn and/or ground cover, where a majority of all vegetation is native species. A minimum of 50% of internal open spaces shall be designed as active gathering places for strolling, sitting, social interaction and informal recreation.
5. Each development shall be designed to have one primary internal space, which shall be considered as part of the 30% common open space requirement and shall be referred to as the “community green.” The community green shall have a minimum area of 10,000 square feet, and the size, shape and design of the community green shall provide adequate space for concerts, outdoor exhibits and community gatherings, based on the number of residents expected in the development. Public rest rooms shall be considered in each community green. The community green should be surrounded by development which may include residential, commercial and other public or civic uses. If the development includes a Main Street commercial area, the community green shall either front or terminate the Main Street or incorporated into a combined community focus for the development.
(Ord. 2022-02, 10/24/2022)