§ 3.3.3. Suggested types of green space, parks, and civic spaces.

A.

The following types of space may be considered:

1.

Neighborhood park: A neighborhood park is a natural landscape consisting of open and wooded areas, typically furnished with paths, benches, and open shelters. Neighborhood parks are often irregularly shaped but may be linear in order to parallel creeks, canals, or other corridors. Parks are intended for both formal and informal recreation. Paving should be pervious paving materials to allow oxygen for tree roots and the percentage of impervious paving material is limited. The landscape character can vary from formal to informal depending upon adjacent development and existing natural features. For the smaller neighborhood parks a clear view through the park (from two to eight feet in height) is important for safety and urban design purposes.

2.

Civic green: A green is an open space consisting of lawn and informally arranged trees and shrubs, typically furnished with paths, benches, and open shelters and are spatially defined by abutting streets. Greens are spaces intended for a moderate amount of foot traffic. Paving should be pervious paving materials to allow oxygen for tree roots and the percentage of impervious paving material is limited. In civic greens the surface treatment and materials within the area back-of-curb to back-of-curb excluding any civic building, public art or monument footprint should be a minimum 50 percent unpaved, pervious surface area like turf, ground cover, gravel, soil or mulch. The trees should provide a landscape and civic architecture that complement the surrounding building architecture. A clear view through the public space (from two to eight feet in height) is important for safety and urban design purposes.

3.

Square: A square is a formal open space available for recreational and civic uses and spatially defined by abutting streets and building frontages. Squares must be located so that building walls that will face the square or plaza will have at least 25 percent of their primary façade, including at least 40 percent of the ground story's primary facade, in transparent windows. Squares are generally intended to be active pedestrian centers and they should be designed appropriate to their high pedestrian traffic level with a higher percentage of paved surface area. Paving should be pervious paving materials to allow oxygen for tree roots and the percentage of impervious paving material is limited. Ideally the surface treatment and materials (within the area back-of-curb to back-of-curb excluding any civic buildings, public art or monument footprint) should be a minimum 20 percent and maximum 30 percent unpaved pervious surface like turf, ground cover, gravel, soil or mulch. The trees should provide a landscape and civic architecture that complements the surrounding building architecture. A clear view through the public space (from two to eight feet in height) is important for safety and urban design purposes. Landscaping in a square consists of lawn, trees, and shrubs planted in formal patterns and it is typically furnished with paths, benches, and open shelters.

4.

Plaza: A plaza is a formal open space available for civic and commercial uses and spatially defined by building frontages. Plazas are generally intended to be highly active pedestrian centers and they should be designed appropriate to their high pedestrian traffic level with most of the plaza in paved surface area. Plazas must be located so that building walls that will face the square or plaza will have at least 25 percent of their primary façade, including at least 40 percent of the ground story's primary façade, in transparent windows. Landscaping in a plaza consists primarily of hardscape ideally with pervious surface materials; trees and shrubs are optional. Ideally the surface treatment and materials (within the area back-of-curb to back-of-curb excluding any civic buildings, public art or monument footprint) should be a minimum ten percent and maximum 30 percent unpaved pervious surface like turf, ground cover, gravel, soil or mulch.

5.

Playground: A playground is a fenced open space, typically interspersed within residential areas that is designed and equipped for the recreation of children. Playgrounds may be freestanding or located within parks, greens, or school sites.

6.

Community garden: A community garden is a grouping of garden plots available to nearby residents for small-scale cultivation.

B.

Suggested design standards: The following design standards should be considered:

1.

Use restrictions: Civic spaces lots may not be used for any other purpose unless comparable civic spaces are approved through the rezoning process. These lots are restricted as open space in perpetuity.

2.

Configuration and techniques: The following configurations and techniques are permitted:

a.

Should be designed and configured to be clearly recognizable as public open space.

b.

Should be consistent with the character of the development district in which it is located. For example, a neighborhood park located in the town center district would be detailed with hardscaping and a formal planting pattern of a single species while a neighborhood park in the rural residential district would have more turf area with an informal planting pattern of multiple species.

c.

Should have a range of types and sizes of civic spaces with the intention that there is a civic space within one-quarter of mile of every resident or place of work.

d.

Each civic space must have at least 25 percent of its perimeter and at least two sides directly adjoining a street.

e.

Should be located so that building walls having at least 15 percent of their area in transparent windows will face the space to make the space safer for the public. This standard varies by type of civic space such that the higher requirement is standard.

f.

Should provide shaded seating and a major feature, such as water fountain, band stand, or pavilion which will be commensurate with the activities expected in the civic space. There are no detailed requirements for these features; and the regulating body shall determine these requirements as necessary.

3.

Paving materials: The following paving materials are permitted for pedestrian surfaces and should be compatible with the character of each development district as determined by the applicable jurisdiction. In general, a maximum of two materials should be combined in a particular application:

a.

Stone (i.e. slate or granite).

b.

Brick pavers.

c.

Concrete unit pavers.

d.

Poured-in-place concrete with any of the following treatments: integral pigment color, special aggregate, special scoring pattern, ornamental insets such as tile, pattern-stamped. All concrete walks should be tinted to reduce glare.

e.

Asphalt is not recommended, with the exception of bike paths.

4.

Site furnishings, art work, and special features: The following are recommended for inclusion in public and/or common outdoor spaces:

a.

Permanent outdoor seating is recommended in all publicly-accessible ways and spaces. Seating should be either:

i.

Incorporated as part of the design of the building base, or;

ii.

Custom designed in a style related to the architecture of the building (permanent benches of stone, brick or precast concrete), or;

iii.

Catalog items of substantial materials appropriate for the character of each district;

b.

Portable seating: Movable chairs, tables for cafés and other furniture should be of substantial materials, preferably metal or wood rather than plastic. Tables used for outdoor dining within the public right-of-way (i.e., in sidewalk areas) shall be a maximum of three feet in diameter if round and three feet along the longest side if rectangular.

c.

Street clocks, directory kiosks, and permanent freestanding showcase displays: Encouraged in the following development districts: mixed-use commercial district, and town center, subject to review for adequate clearances, safety, and design. Designs should reflect the general character of the development districts.

d.

Fountains: Recommended in open courtyard and passage spaces. The design and materials should be related to the principal adjacent buildings and civic spaces.

e.

Public art: Such as sculpture, wall murals and other paintings, lighting displays and special public open spaces are encouraged.

i.

Location of public art should be in highly visible places specifically designed or modified for the purpose of accommodating it; public art should not be located in semi-private areas such as the rear of buildings or in courtyards.

ii.

Symbolic content of public art should relate to and represent the rich history of the area where appropriate; abstract as well as literal representative elements are appropriate.

iii.

Murals should reflect the color and architectural composition of the buildings on which they are painted, and, to the extent appropriate, that of neighboring buildings. Murals are not allowed to advertise for commercial business of any kind.

5.

Landscape and plant materials: The landscape design of any civic space should be reflective of both the aesthetic character and image of the development district and the functional characteristics of the civic space. In particular considerations should be given to the following:

a.

Deciduous trees should be the predominant large plant material used. They should be located adjacent to buildings and within parking areas to provide shade in summer and allow sun in winter. Species should be selected to be drought-tolerant, provide fall color and minimize litter and other maintenance problems.

b.

Evergreen shrubs and trees should be used as a screening device, for example, along rear property lines, around mechanical appurtenances, etc.

c.

Flowering shrubs and trees should be used where they can be most appreciated such as adjacent to walks and recreational areas, or framing building entries, stairs, and walks.

d.

Plants with annual or seasonal color are recommended to highlight special locations, such as courtyards, building entrances, or within public spaces in general.

e.

Decorative vines should be considered for use along fences, property boundaries, perimeter walls, and on blank building elevations.

f.

Drought-tolerant and/or native plants should generally be used.

g.

All plant material including trees shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspections required under state regulations.

(Ord. No. 6016-07-16, 7-19-2016)