Open Space Info Sheet

SUMMARY OF CHANGES OPEN SPACE ZOTA

ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT

Open Space Regulation Update

On January 31, 2023 the Urban County Council adopted revisions to Articles 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 23 and 28 of the LFUCG Zoning Ordinance to consolidate open space regulations to one location (Article 20), provide clearer definitions for open spaces types based on use, incorporate common open area design and access standards, and incentivize green infrastructure best practices.

Detached Single Family Residential

& COMMERCIAL

ATTENTION ALL ZONES

UPDATED OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL RESIDENTIAL, MIXED-USE, & COMMERCIAL ZONES, INCLUDING EXPANSION AREA ZONES.

Common Area Requirement: Common area required when 25 or more dwelling units are provided.

Attached Single Family Residential

Common Area Requirement: Common area required when 25 or more dwelling units are provided.

Private Open Space: Removed requirement for 10% private open space per lot.

Multi-Family & Group Residential

Common Area Requirement: Common area required when 25 or more dwelling units are provided, may overlap with useable area and/or vegetated area.

Useable Area Requirement: Applies to all new development and varies between 10-20% based on zone, may overlap with common area and vegetated area.

Vegetated Area Requirement: Applies to all new development and varies between 10-20% based on zone, may overlap with common area and useable area.

Mixed Use & Commercial

Common Area Requirement: Common area required for sites greater than 3 acres and/or when 25 or more dwelling units are provided, may overlap with useable area and/or vegetated area.

Useable Area Requirement: Applies to all new development and varies between 5-40% based on zone, may overlap with common area and vegetated area.

Vegetated Area Requirement: Applies to all new development and varies between 0-20% based on zone, may overlap with common area and useable area.

ATTENTION: EXPANSION AREA ZONES

NEW COMMON AREA ACCESS STANDARDS

Pedestrian access points and signage are now required where common open space is provided in the EAR-1, EAR-2, EAR-3, CC & ED zones (Article 23-A)

Article 20-2(b)

Article 20-2(b)

Article 8-10(o)(3)

Article 20-2(b)

Article 20-2(b)

Article 20-2(b)

Article 20-2(b)

Article 20-2(b)

Article 20-2(b)

OVERLAP IN OPEN SPACE TYPES

Useable areas, vegetated areas, and common areas may overlap in use and purpose. The area of one may be counted toward the minimum requirement of another where the applicable standards of each are being met. (Article 20-2(a))

NEW definition of “Open Space” and types of open spaces (Article 1)

COMMON AREA EXEMPTION NEAR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

Common area requirements do not apply when the development is within walking distance of a park or other publicly accessible open space (Article 20-6)

NEW definition of “Walkable Route” (Article 1)

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INCENTIVES

COMMON AREA STANDARDS

Location Standards

Distance: 90% of dwelling unit and/or building entrances must be within a quarter-mile walk of a common area.

Connectivity: Walkable route shall connect common area(s) and other adjacent open spaces.

Dimensional Standards

Single family context:

• Minimum size: 10,000 SF

• Least dimension: 100 feet

Multi-family/Mixed-use/Commercial contexts:

• Minimum size: 8,500 SF

• Least dimension: 20 feet

• Connectivity: When multiple common areas provided to meet minimum size, must be connected via walkable route

Development Standards

For all Common Areas

• Perimeter access and visibility

• Access points standards

• Physical improvements

• Tree canopy coverage and shading

• Generally flat and dry area

• Signage (Article 20-7(a))

Article 20-5(a)(1)

Article 20-5(a)(2)

Article 20-5(b)

Article 20-5(c)

Sites 3 acres or less can get a vegetated area bonus when qualifying green infrastructure is provided (Article 20-4)

NEW definition of “Green Infrastructure” (Article 1)

Article 20-5(d)

VEGETATED AREA STANDARDS

Requirements

Coverage: 75% of area must be covered by living plants.

Areas not included:

• Vehicle use area interior landscaping (vehicle use area perimeter landscaping is included)

• Invasive tree and plant species, per LFUCG planting manual

Article 20-3(a)(1)

Article 20-3(a)(2)