Desert Hot Springs City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
20 OPEN SPACE
§ 17.20.010 Purpose.
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to achieve the following:
1.
Encourage the provision of parks and recreation through flexible development standards;
2.
Protect, preserve, and manage natural resources;
3.
Protect public outdoor recreation areas from nonconforming uses;
4.
Protect the public health and safety;
5.
Preserve scenic viewsheds and prevent view blockage;
6.
Reflect the needs of the community each park serves and locate recreational areas in close proximity to residential areas;
7.
Create a multi-user park and trail system which meets basic human needs, is efficient and complements land uses, is ecologically sound, and can balance cost and revenues over time.
B.
The purpose of the individual open space districts is as follows:
1.
Open Space - Conservation (OS-C). This district applies to public and quasi-public owned or private lands that have been set aside for conservation or pursuant to the Coachella Valley Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). This district is intended to protect lands and ecosystems by preserving natural resources, habitats, and drainage systems. Pedestrian access should be avoided within sensitive habitat areas.
2.
Open Space - Recreation (OS-R). This district is to provide for the continuation and enhancement of existing public parks and development of new parks and recreation facilities, as well as detention basins and drainage areas.
3.
Open Space - Private Open Space (OS-P). This district is to provide recreational opportunities and preserve open space located within private developments.
(Prior code § 159.10.010; Ord. 786 9-19-23)
§ 17.20.020 Development permitted and conditionally permitted uses.
Table 17.20.01 represents those uses in the open space land use districts which are subject to permit review and approvals. Table 17.12.01 lists the uses permitted in each of the commercial and visitor-serving districts utilizing the following key:
“P” Use is permitted by right.
“A” Use is accessory to an established primary use.
“AUP” Use requires an Administrative Use Permit.
“CUP” Use requires a Conditional Use Permit.
“TUP” Use requires a Temporary Use Permit.
“—” Use is prohibited.
The organization and numerical ordering of Table 17.20.01 is based on the Standard Industrial Classification System as defined in Section 17.04.050 of this Zoning Ordinance. It is not expected that the range of uses set forth below is all inclusive. Cases of uncertainty regarding whether a particular land use is permitted and by what process, shall be determined by the Director.
TABLE 17.20.01 PERMITTED USES – OPEN SPACE DISTRICTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
OS-C | OS-R | OS-P | |
Agriculture and Animal Keeping | |||
Aviary and apiary | — | CUP | CUP |
Botanical garden | — | P | P |
Stables, private | — | — | P |
Stables, public | — | CUP | CUP |
Wildlife refuge | P | P | P |
Zoo | — | CUP | CUP |
Recreational | |||
Athletic fields | — | P | P |
Educational, recreational facilities (aquariums, etc.) | — | P | P |
Golf course | — | CUP | P |
Museum/cultural center/nature center | CUP | P | P |
Playgrounds and picnic areas | P | P | P |
Retail store ancillary to a recreational use (snack bars, etc.) | — | P | P |
Sports courts (tennis, pickleball, handball, bocce ball, etc.) | — | P | P |
Swimming pool | — | P | P |
Trails and trailhead facilities | P | P | P |
Other | |||
Antennae/satellite dishes | — | P | P |
Caretaker’s residence | — | P | P |
Parking lots, public | — | P | P |
Utility facilities | AUP | AUP | AUP |
Schools | — | CUP | CUP |
Temporary uses | TUP | TUP | TUP |
(Prior code § 159.10.020; Ord. 786 9-19-23)
§ 17.20.030 Open space zoning district development standards.
The following standards are minimum unless stated as maximum. The standards shall apply to all development, except as otherwise provided for in this Zoning Ordinance:
A.
All indoor uses shall be conducted within a completely enclosed structure. Limited outside uses shall be approved during site plan review.
B.
There shall be no visible storage of motor vehicles, loose rubbish, garbage, junk, tents, equipment, or building materials in any portion of a lot. During site plan review for any new use, properly screened outdoor storage shall be reviewed and included in the conditions of approval if it meets the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance. No storage shall occur on any vacant parcel. Building materials for use on the same premises may be stored on the parcel during the time that a valid building permit is in effect for construction.
C.
Every parcel with an occupiable structure shall have a trash receptacle on the premises. The trash receptacle shall comply with adopted City standards and be of sufficient size to accommodate the trash generated by the use. The receptacle(s) shall be screened from public view on at least 3 sides by an opaque wall 6 feet in height and on the fourth side by an opaque gate not less than 5 feet in height. The gate shall be maintained in working order and shall remain closed except when in use. The wall and gate shall be designed in compliance with City standards. Utility lines, flagpoles, and similar structures are exempt from this provision.
D.
All mechanical equipment should be screened from public view in a manner which is architecturally integrated with the main structure. Vents, ducts, chimneys, and steeples shall be exempt from this provision.
E.
Elevations of all buildings shall be architecturally treated to ensure compatibility with neighboring buildings.
F.
Outdoor paging systems shall be prohibited.
G.
All development shall incorporate alternative transportation and transit into its site planning. Alternative transportation shall include pedestrian connections to adjacent land uses, bicycle lanes and parking facilities in conformance with Chapter 17.48, Off-Street Parking Standards. Transit facilities shall be reviewed with SunLine Transit, to determine need and location for commuter facilities, bus stops and shelters.
(Prior code § 159.10.030(1); Ord. 786 9-19-23)
§ 17.20.040 Park system development standards.
The following standards shall apply to parks within the open space zoning district. For residential uses in the open space zoning district, see Table 17.08.02, Residential District Development Standards, and the standards contained in Chapter 17.08.
A.
Types of Parks.
1.
Community Parks. Should be located near residential areas and accessible to the entire community.
2.
Neighborhood Parks and Urban Parks. Should be located near neighborhoods planned for intense development.
3.
Mini-Parks. Should be located inside a neighborhood with close proximity to heavily populated areas, especially those areas with a majority of multifamily dwellings.
B.
Standards for Parks.
1.
The following table describes the City’s standards for parks:
TABLE 17.20.02 STANDARDS FOR RECREATION AREAS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Type of Park Area | Acres/1,000 Pop. | Ideal Site Size/Minimum | Radius Served |
Mini-parks | 0.25 - 0.5 | 1 AC./0.5 acres | <0.25 miles |
Neighborhood parks, urban parks, playgrounds | 1.0 - 2.0 | 15 acres | 0.25 - 0.5 miles |
Playfields, community parks | 5.0 - 8.0 | 25 acres | 1.0 - 2.0 miles |
C.
Recreational Area Development.
1.
Parkland facilities within the City shall be developed at a minimum rate of 5 acres/1,000 population.
2.
Recreational areas and open space development are subject to Development Permit Review, pursuant to Chapter 17.92, and shall meet the following standards:
a.
Parks and Open Space Development. Sensitive plant and animal species shall be identified and mapped by a qualified biologist prior to development, if applicable. Sensitive areas and appropriate buffers shall be incorporated into the development plan.
b.
Trail Development. Trails are an important aspect of the City’s transportation system, providing direct access to and linkage with existing and future recreational areas. Areas that are not developable for structures may be adaptable for trail development. Such areas can include geologically hazardous grounds, wildlife corridors, floodways, and utility easements.
3.
The City shall establish the following trail standards as a guide for future trail development. The standards contained in Table 17.20.03 (Trail Standards) shall be considered as the minimum requirements.
TABLE 17.20.03 TRAIL STANDARDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Urban Standards (Maximum Accessibility) | ||||
Item | Bicycle + Pedestrian | Bicycle Only | Hiking Only | Equestrian Only |
Minimum width (one-way) | 10 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet | 8 feet |
Minimum width (two-way) | 12 feet | 8 - 10 feet | 8 - 10 feet | 10 feet |
Surface hardened | Hardened (e.g., asphalt) | Hard-packed (e.g., asphalt) | Hard-packed (no paving) | No paving |
Shoulder | 2 feet minimum | 2 feet minimum | 2 feet minimum | 2 feet minimum |
Vertical clearance | 12 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet | 12 feet |
Cross slope | 2% maximum | 2% maximum | 2% maximum | 2% maximum |
Low Use and Natural Area Standards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Item | Multi-User | Hiking Only | Mountain Bicycle Only | Equestrian Only (Foothill and Mountain Areas) |
Minimum width (one-way) | 6 - 8 feet | 2 feet | 2 feet | 6 feet |
Minimum width (two-way) | 8 - 10 feet | 2 feet | 4 feet | 8 feet |
Surface | Firm all-weather and unobstructed | Minimize erosion | Minimize erosion | Minimize erosion |
Shoulder | 2 feet minimum | 2 feet minimum | 2 feet minimum | 2 feet minimum |
Vertical clearance | 10 feet | 8 feet | 8 feet | 12 feet |
Cross slope | 3% maximum | 3% maximum | 3% maximum | 3% maximum |
(Prior code § 159.10.030(2)(A) and (B); Ord. 786 9-19-23)
§ 17.20.050 Applicable regulations.
All uses developed in the open space districts shall be subject to the applicable regulations of this Zoning Ordinance. Development standards and design guidelines shall conform the type of use being proposed to the use district development standards relevant to that use.
(Prior code § 159.10.040; Ord. 786 9-19-23)