Updated Working DRAFT UDO_Adopted Version_July 2024

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

Active Recreational Areas

• Land shall be compact and contiguous unless used to link or continue an existing or planned open space resource. • Areas shall have at least one direct access to a building or to a street, bikeway, or walkway accessible to the public or the development’s occupants and users.

Land occupied by areas and facilities used for active recreational purposes, such as pools, playgrounds, tennis courts, jogging trails, ball fields, and clubhouses.

Formal Plantings and Gardens

• Formal plantings and gardens shall have at least one direct access to a building, or to street, bikeway, or walkway accessible to the public or the development’s occupants and users. • Such features shall be oriented to surrounding development.

Formally planned and regularly maintained open areas that provide passive recreation opportunities, including arranged plantings, gardens, gazebos, and similar structures, as well as roof gardens

Squares, Forecourts, Plazas, and Outdoor Dining Areas

• Squares, forecourts, plazas, and outdoor dining areas shall be at least 200 square feet, but no more than one acre, in area. • Such features shall have at least one direct access to a principal building, or to a street, bikeway, or walkway accessible to the public or the development’s occupants and users. • Surrounding principal buildings shall be oriented toward the square, forecourt, plaza, or outdoor dining area where possible.

Squares, forecourts, plazas, and outdoor dining areas that provide gathering places or active and passive recreational opportunities

•

Architectural features such as statutes.

(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

D. Design Standards for Common Open Space

Areas used as a required common open space shall meet the following design standards:

Morrisville, NC

July 1, 2024 Page 5-14

Unified Development Ordinance