For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
COMMON AREA. Property that is owned by and under the operational control of a private homeowners’ association or similar legal entity, and that is held in distributive shares or interests by members of the association for the mutual use and benefit by and of only its members.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. The city’s long-range plan for development of the city, also known as a general plan, and inclusive of its long-range plan for parks and open space.
DEVELOPER. Any person, individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, estate, trust or other entity that proposes or acts to subdivide, improve or otherwise prepare a parcel of land for possible use as one or more building sites.
DEVELOPMENT. The subdivision, improvement or other preparation of a parcel of land for possible use as building sites for two or more dwelling units.
GREENBELT. A land corridor, frequently, but not necessarily, associated with a stream, drainageway or distinct area of woodlands or native prairie, that is suitable for use as a public trail connection for pedestrian and bicyclists and as a passive recreation area.
LOT. A parcel of land of sufficient size and dimensions to comply with all requirements of city ordinances and regulations for its intended use, whether or not its fixed boundaries are designated by a subdivision plat or plat of survey.
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK. A public park established as a primary recreational facility for one or more residential neighborhoods, that usually is designed to serve all age groups and includes both passive and active recreational areas and facilities such as trails, children’s playground apparatus, athletic fields, court game facilities, wading pool, ice skating rink, picnicking areas and shelter facilities.
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN. An official plan adopted by the City Council after consideration and recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Commission, and that is to be considered to be part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, for the creation and development of a public park and open space system within the city that is sufficient in size and scope to meet all of the active and passive recreation needs of its residents and likely external users.
RECREATION AREA, ACTIVE. A portion of a park that is suitable for intensive recreational activities and facilities including, but not limited to, athletic fields; tennis, basketball or general purpose courts; playground equipment; wading pool; ice skating rink; and the like, by reason of grades that generally do not exceed 5%, and suitable soils and vegetation; freedom from flooding; suitable shape and size; and being uninterrupted by significant streams or drainageways.
RECREATION AREA, PASSIVE. A lot or a portion of a park that is preserved as open space, usually in a predominately natural state, for visual and psychological relief from the urbanized environment, and that may or may not include pedestrian and bicycle trails.
PARK SYSTEM. All types and classifications of parks as identified and included within the city’s Parks and Open Space Plan.
PRIVATE RECREATION FACILITY. An active recreation area that is part of a common area.
PARK INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. Acquisition, installation or construction of equipment, buildings or structures, trails, landscaping, grading and other infrastructure improvements that are directly and solely associated with the establishment and utilization of new recreation areas.
SUBDIVISION. The division of a single parcel of land into three or more parcels of land, usually, but not necessarily, for use as individual building sites.