(A) Land dedicated for a park or recreational area shall be of such size, dimensions, topography, and general character as is reasonably required by the city for the type of use necessary to meet the demand and need of future residents. Recreational needs for which land is dedicated must include multipurpose trails, open space buffer areas, active recreation for team or individual sports, playgrounds with unitary rubber surfacing, picnic areas with grills, pavilions and similar uses. Swimming pools or aquatic facilities do not meet the criteria for neighborhood parks.
(B) Rare, unique, endangered, historic or other significant natural areas will be given a high priority for dedication pursuant to this chapter. Areas that provide an opportunity for linkages between parks or that preserve the natural character of the surrounding environment may be required by the city to be included in the park land dedication.
(C) The city shall not accept land dedication pursuant to this chapter if it is subject to one or more of the following disqualifications unless individually and expressly approved by the Director:
(1) Land within floodplain and floodway designated areas, based upon 100-year floodplains as defined by the Mansfield Master Drainage Plans, unless such land dedication contains an open area as part of the total park land dedication property that is topographically suitable for the installation of the park amenities as defined in § 156.04(A) and (B) for neighborhood parks. In cases where floodplain land or property is proposed to be conveyed to satisfy the parkland requirements, a credit may be given upon the following ratio: two acres of floodplain shall equal one acre of non-floodplain land;
(2) Park land dedication sites which do not have ready access to public streets;
(3) Park land dedication sites abutted by private properties on more than two-thirds of the total boundary dimension of such site; or
(4) Areas encumbered by overhead utility lines or easements of any type which might limit the opportunity for park and recreation development.
(D) The city will not accept park land dedication sites encumbered by hazardous and or municipal waste materials or dump sites.
(E) If a developer proposes to dedicate land for park development purposes pursuant to the terms, conditions and requirements of this chapter, he or she shall permit the Director to make an onsite inspection of the property for the purposes of determining site suitability and identification of any visual hazards or impediments to park development and use. If the property owner has any form of environmental assessment on the tract, a copy of that assessment shall be provided to the Director. The Director may initiate and/or require the developer to initiate specific environmental studies or assessments if the visual inspection of the site gives rise to the belief that an environmental problem may exist on the site. The Director may require the employment of those consultants necessary to evaluate any environmental issues relating to the site provided that the Director makes such determination in good faith. If an environmental hazard is identified on the site, the developer must either remove the hazard prior to its acceptance into the park and recreation system of the city or pay the fee in § 156.05.
(F) The intention of this chapter is not to discourage the creation of parks and amenities in subdivisions that will be maintained by homeowners’ associations.
(Ord. 1421, passed 4-14-03; Am. Ord. OR-2227-21, passed 11-8-21)