(a)

The purpose of the open space zones is to protect and preserve open space for natural and manmade resources, outdoor recreation and education, and public health and safety. It is also the intent of this district to provide open space in the city by limiting development in areas which are so located or configured, or which possess such physical features, that they may provide valuable and functional open space for the purposes of helping to shape urban form, to provide local or buffer greenbelts, and to serve as linkages between open space areas. Any building or structure permitted in this district shall be subordinate to and in furtherance of use of the land for open space as defined in the city general plan and the state planning and zoning law.

(b)

The open space zones implement the general plan open space/natural resource designation, which provides for open space areas to be managed in as near a natural state as possible, and the park/recreation designation, which provides for open space for outdoor recreation.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23900; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

The open space zones are established as follows:

(a)

The OS-G open space—general zone is for the preservation of natural resources, including but not limited to areas necessary for the preservation of plant and animal life, including habitat for fish and wildlife species, channels, creeks, lakes, reservoirs; banks of channels and creeks, lake shores and watershed lands; and areas known to contain natural mineral deposits. Typically, the OS-G zone is reserved for public or quasi-public lands. It also provides open space for public health and safety, including but not limited to areas which require special management or regulations because of hazardous or special conditions, such as earthquake fault zones, unstable soil areas, floodplains, retention basins, watershed areas presenting high fire risk, areas required for the protection of water quality and water reservoirs, areas of groundwater basins, areas required for recharge of groundwater basins, and areas required for the protection and enhancement of air quality.

(b)

The OS-R open space—recreation zone is for outdoor recreation, including but not limited to areas of outstanding scenic, historic and cultural values; areas particularly suited for park and recreation purposes; and areas which serve as links between major recreation and open space reservations, including utility easements, banks of channels and creeks, trails and scenic highway corridors.

(Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

In the OS zones, permitted and conditionally permitted uses shall be as listed within the "Land Use Matrix." Whenever a business is conducted a city business license is required pursuant to chapter 18. All other uses not specifically listed in the matrix shall be interpreted as not permitted unless a similar use determination is made by the community development director pursuant to section 90-3. Uses located within the Hemet-Ryan Airport Influence Area are subject to the requirements of the Riverside County Airport Land Use Plan.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23901; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

No minimum site area is required in the OS-G and OS-R zones.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23903; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

Buildings and structures, when permitted, shall not occupy more than one-fourth of the gross area of the parcel in the OS-G and OS-R zones, except as permitted by approval of a variance from development standards.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23904; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

Off-street parking and loading shall be provided for each use in the OS-G and OS-P zones as prescribed in article XL of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23905; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

Signs in the OS-G and OS-R zones shall conform to article XXXVI of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23906; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

All utility services in the OS-G and OS-R zones shall be installed underground. This requirement may be waived by the city council where the city council finds that this requirement would cause undue hardship or constitute an unreasonable requirement.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23907; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

No building in the OS-G and OS-R zones shall exceed 35 feet in height, unless otherwise allowed under a conditional use permit.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23908; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

All exterior lighting in the OS-G and OS-R zones shall be directed away from adjacent properties.

(Ord. No. 997; Code 1984, § 23909; Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)

New projects in the open space zones are subject to pre-application review as provided in section 90-49 and site development review as provided in section 90-48. Development of the site and structures shall be consistent with all applicable design guidelines.

(Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14; Ord. No. 1900, § 5(Exh. 2), 4-14-15)

Appeal of a decision of the community development director or designee may be made to the planning commission pursuant to section 90-43(6).

(Ord. No. 1884, § 1(Exh. A2), 5-27-14)