The city planning commission may approve an alternative common open space plan to reduce setbacks when adequate and appropriate common open space is planned and accommodated in the site plan for the following situations (also see MD1, MD2, MD3, NF2, BCF3 form regulations).
(a) For MD2 and MD3 forms. There may be up to a 10-foot reduction in front yard, 5-foot reduction in side yard, and 5-foot reduction in rear yard when the same overall square footage as is required by the minimum yards is reserved and approved by the planning commission as a common open space area.
(b) For MD1, NF2, and BCF3 forms. There may be up to a 10-foot reduction in the front yard setback when the same overall square footage as is required by the minimum yards is reserved and approved by the planning commission as a common open space area.
(c) Common open space area standards. The planning commission shall determine a common open space when it includes open space that is aesthetically planned and designed with active or passive recreational amenities including, but not limited to, walking paths, plazas, playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming pools, lakes, seating areas, gardens, basketball courts, and other similar recreational amenities. All common open space areas must be designed in a way that is very accessible to residents or employees of the development area. Common open space alternative plans shall not reduce open space on the site to a level under the total minimum square feet of required yards (front, side, and rear yards). Common open space alternative plans shall not reduce any required buffer yards. The intent of common open space alternative plans is to allow a redistribution from one required yard to another required yard. A common open space alternative plan must not impede on the intersection of driveway vision clearance area (see § 160.517).
(Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 22-15, passed 3-3-2015; Ord. 41-19, passed 4-2-2019; Ord. 114-22, passed 10-4-2022)