Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance - February 2021.2

Article 5: Development Standards Section 5.5. Common Open Space and Public Recreation Area 5.5.1. Common Open Space

Table 5.5.1.C.2: Allowable Common Open Space Areas

Area Counted as Common Open Space

Description

Design and Maintenance Requirements

(Ord. No. 2015-002, 04/29/2015; Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016)

3. Areas Not Allowable as Required Common Open Space The following areas shall not be allowed as required common open space: a. Private yards not subject to an open space or conservation easement; b. Street rights-of-way or private access easements, including sidewalks located within those rights-of-way or easements; c. Open parking areas and driveways; d. Land covered by structures, unless designated for active recreational uses; e. Designated outdoor storage areas; and f. Stormwater ponds not located and designed as a site amenity (e.g., with low fencing, vegetative landscaping, gentle slopes, fountain or other visible water circulation device, and pedestrian access or seating). D. Design Standards for Common Open Space Areas used as a required common open space shall meet the following design standards: 1. To the maximum extent practicable, required common open space shall be located and configured to include, protect, or enhance as many of the allowable types of common open space shown in Table 5.5.1.C.2 , Allowable Common Open Space Areas as possible, with a priority generally reflecting the order in which the types are listed in the table. 2. Required common open space areas shall be compact and contiguous unless a different configuration is needed to continue an existing trail or accommodate preservation of natural features. 3. Required common open space shall be located to be readily accessible and useable by occupants and users of the development. Where possible, a portion of the open space should provide focal points for the development through prominent placement or easy visual access from streets. 4. If the development site is adjacent to existing or planned parks, greenways, or other public open space, required common open space shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be located to adjoin, extend, and enlarge the park, greenway, or other public open space. 5. If the development contains, or adjoins an existing or planned transit station, required common open space shall, to the maximum extent practicable, adjoin the transit station site or be integrated with the transit station or other open space adjoining the transit station in accordance with any Town- adopted plans for the transit station area. Such required common open space shall be furnished with at least three of the following types of community amenities: a. Benches or seating areas; b. Raised landscape planters; c. Shade structures; d. Public art (e.g., sculptures, murals, water elements, carvings, frescos, mosaics, mobiles); e. A courtyard; f. Decorative shelters for transit riders (as approved by the Town); or g. Similar community amenities approved by the Town.

Morrisville, NC

February 1, 2021

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 5-16