The purpose of this section is to provide inviting and well-designed outdoor spaces for residents.

The following standards apply to all multi family residential development unless noted otherwise:

(1)

All multi-family developments shall provide usable open space per the following:

(A)

Three hundred square feet per unit for ground based units such as townhomes,

(B)

Ten percent of the net developable area for all other multi-family developments such apartment buildings,

(C)

For residential development within a mixed-use building, provide a usable open space or spaces equal to or greater than ten percent the size of the applicable building's gross floor area. Calculations for gross floor area shall exclude area used for mechanical equipment, accessory parking, and outdoor decks and balconies. Onsite ground floor pedestrian oriented space may be used in the calculations for required usable open space;

(2)

Configure buildings to create usable open space by providing one or more of the following:

(A)

Landscaped courtyards, gardens, or commons usable by residents and visible from dwelling units to enhance security,

(B)

Individual outdoor spaces for all ground floor units. This is most appropriate for new townhouses or other ground-related housing,

(C)

Balconies, well-defined patios, terrace open spaces, and rooftop decks. Rooftop decks are the least preferred type of open space,

(D)

Play areas for children, visible from dwelling units and located away from arterial streets, parking lots and on-site drainage facilities;

Note: Required landscape buffer areas shall not be considered usable open space.

(3)

Usable open spaces should be positioned in areas with significant pedestrian traffic to provide interest and security;

(4)

Integrate natural features into usable open space, when feasible;

(5)

Paths, seating, lighting and other pedestrian amenities should be utilized to make open spaces more functional and enjoyable;

(6)

Minimum required landscaped buffer areas shall not be included in calculations for the required usable open space.

(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).

(Ord. No. 23-19, Att. A, 3-19-2019)

Figure 10. Examples of usable open space for multi family development.