Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance - May 2020

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

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

AreaCountedas Common Open Space

Description

Design and Maintenance Requirements

Public Access Easements

Public access easements that are available for passive recreational activities such as walking, running, and biking

• Such public access easements shall include at least one direct and signed access from a street, bikeway, or walkway accessible to the public.

(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 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, requiredcommon open space shall, to the maximumextent practicable, be located to adjoin, extend, and enlarge the park, greenway, or other public open space. 5. If the development contains, or adjoins an existingor planned transit station, requiredcommon 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- Areas used as a required common open space shall meet the following design standards:

Morrisville, NC

May 26, 2020

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 5-16