On all parcels developed under the open space development regulations, a minimum of 35% of the gross land area shall be set aside as protected common open space. This open space shall meet the following standards.
(A) For the purposes of this section,
GROSS LAND AREA includes all lands within the parcel except existing street, railway and utility rights-of-way.
(B) Common open space shall comply with the following design standards.
(1) All open spaces shall be part of a larger continuous and integrated open space system within the parcel being developed. For the purposes of this section, areas shall be considered continuous if they are within 100 feet of each other.
(2) Common open space shall, to the greatest extent possible, protect site features identified in the site inventory and analysis as having particular value in the context of preserving rural character.
(3) Natural features shall generally be maintained in their natural condition, but may be modified to improve their appearance, or restore their overall condition and natural processes, as recommend by natural resource professionals. Modifications may include:
(a) Woodland management;
(b) Reforestation;
(c) Meadow management; and
(d) Wetlands management.
(4) No area of common open space shall be less than 30 feet in its smallest dimension or less than 10,000 square feet in area. Open space not meeting this standard shall not be counted toward the total required 50% common open space.
(5) The boundaries of common open space shall be marked by natural features wherever possible, such as edges of woodlands or individual large trees.
(6) Trails in common open space that are located within 50 feet of homes shall be identified by plantings or other landscape features.
(7) Under no circumstance shall all common open space be isolated in one area of the development. Common open space shall be distributed appropriately throughout the development to properly serve and enhance all dwelling units and any other common facilities.
(8) Common open space shall include lands located along existing public streets in order to preserve existing rural landscape character as seen from these streets, and shall, in no case, contain less than the requires setback or buffer.
(C) Safe and convenient pedestrian access and access for maintenance purposes shall be provided to all common open space areas that are not used for agricultural purposes, in accordance with the following.
(1) Access points shall be provided that are equal to or greater than the minimum width of the lots in the development. This width may be reduced to 50 feet if the applicant can demonstrate that meeting the lot width requirement would run counter to the objectives of this section.
(2) Access to common open space used for agriculture may be restricted for public safety and to prevent interference with agricultural operations.
(D) The following areas shall not be included in the calculation of common open space:
(1) Private lot areas;
(2) Street and highway rights-of-way, public or private;
(3) Railway and utility rights-of-way;
(4) Parking areas; and
(5) Areas not meeting the requirements of division (B)(4) above.
(Ord. 06-14-Z, passed 10-3-2006; Ord. 06-14, passed 10-17-2006)