(a) Required Dedication.
(1) The Planning Commission shall specify and require the dedication of a reasonable amount of land for play fields, parks and other open public spaces that may be essential to a proper development of the neighborhood area in accordance with the adopted Master Plan for parks and other open public grounds, as provided for in Ohio R.C. 711.09.
(2) Due regard shall be shown for the preservation of outstanding natural and cultural features, such as scenic spots, watercourses and historic sites.
(3) Table of recreation requirements.
lot area of single family lots | % of total gross acreage of subdivision to be reserved for parkland purposes |
1 acre or greater | 2.5 |
20,000 sq. ft. or greater | 5.0 |
Less than 20,000 sq. ft. | 8.0 |
(4) Multifamily and high-density residential. The Planning Commission shall determine the acreage for reservation based on the number of dwelling units per acre to occupy the site as permitted by the Zoning Code.
(b) Standards.
(1) Individual parkland sites, as required by this section, shall not contain less than 2.5 acres, unless they adjoin an existing dedicated park.
(2) Disconnected sites or sites with a section with a minimum dimension of less than 60 feet are not acceptable. If possible, parkland sites should follow natural topography or course of land.
(3) Parkland sites shall have a minimum frontage on a public right-of-way of 100 feet and have public water and sanitary sewer service available.
(4) Land to be dedicated for parkland shall be submitted as a single parcel.
(5) Sites for parkland shall be located as to be readily accessible by residents of all portions of the subdivision or plat. Sites shall not be located on major streets. Sites may be located between commercial or institutional activities and residential dwellings, so long as the site remains accessible to residents.
(6) It is recommended that park sites be joined to walkway easements to provide convenient pedestrian access to all portions of the subdivision or plat.
(c) Credit for Private Parkland.
(1) In cases of parkland reserved for exclusive use of residents of a project or for parkland created and maintained by a homeowners association, credit against the requirements of this section may be given. Restrictions for use of the land for park purposes only shall be placed on the subdivision or plat drawing and on deeds for the land. A credit for private parkland shall comply with Section 1145.09 (a) and (b) above.
(d) Fee in Lieu of Dedication.
(1) At the discretion of the Planning Commission, if it is determined that a cash contribution would better serve the public interest, a fee of $1,000.00 per dwelling unit shall be required.
(2) The subdivider, whose required parkland equals less than 1.5 acres shall pay a fee in lieu of dedication of parkland.
(3) The subdivider, whose required parkland is equal to or is greater than 1.5 acres, may be granted the option by the Council with recommendation of the Planning Commission in cases of hardship or sufficient cause of paying a fee in lieu of dedication of the required parkland.
(4) The fee in lieu of dedication shall be the fair market value of the required amount of land as located within the subdivision or plat at its time of recording.
(5) The dedicated fee for parkland shall be used to benefit the residents of the subdivision and placed in a separate park and recreation fund. The use of these funds may be used for a neighborhood, community, or regional park.
(Ord. 05-69. Passed 10-17-05.)