(a) Intent. It is the intent of this Section to ensure the provision of common open space 1) to satisfy certain recreational needs of the resident population, 2) to encourage innovative and attractive site design, and 3) to facilitate the conservation of valuable and sensitive environmental features such as streams, woodlands, and hillsides.
(b) Amount of Reservation. In accordance with the intent of this Section, it is required that for all sites on which Multi-Family Residential development is proposed, common open space shall be reserved in the following amounts and shall be so designated on the development plan submitted to the Village:
750 square feet per proposed dwelling unit in R-3 developments.
500 square feet per proposed dwelling unit in R-4 developments.
(c) Required Characteristics. Land designated as common open space under the provisions of this Section shall conform with the characteristics described below:
(1) Common open space shall consist of a parcel or parcels of land or a combination of land and water, within a development site, designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of the development or the public and shall not include streets, off-street parking areas and areas set aside for public facilities.
(2) Common open space shall contain sufficient land appropriate in topography to support certain active recreational uses, such as tennis courts and swimming pools.
(3) Consideration shall be given to the arrangement and location of common open space to take advantage of physical characteristics of the site and to place common open space within easy access and view of dwelling units, at the same time preserving and enhancing natural features. Areas set aside for common open space shall contain no structure other than a structure related to outdoor recreational use.
(4) The common open space shall be contiguous to the development and not separate from the tract by existing roads.
(d) Ownership and Maintenance. The open areas or spaces to be reserved for common open space may be conveyed to the Village if acceptable to the Village, conveyed to a legally constituted condominium association, or retained and managed by private ownership. Satisfactory written arrangements, acceptable to the Village in all cases, shall be made for the perpetual preservation and maintenance of all common areas to be set aside and reserved for private use.