The purpose of this district is to provide a special zone for those areas which are set aside for scenic vistas, forest preserves, public recreational, waterfront, or beach areas, public parks, or similar open space. [Ord. 569 N.S., 1967].

The following uses are permitted in an O district:

(a) Recreation areas, wildlife preserves, forest preserves, and waterfront areas;

(b) Parks, playgrounds, public or civic buildings, structures and parking facilities, pertinent and compatible with open land usages, subject to first securing a use permit in each case. [Ord. 1676 N.S. § 1, 1989; Ord. 569 N.S., 1967].

Signs, appurtenant to any permitted use, shall be allowed, subject to first securing a sign permit from the architectural review board in each case, except as follows:

(a) A sign permit shall not be required for signs posted by a governmental agency for health and safety purposes.

(b) A sign permit shall not be required for signs posted by the city or at the direction of any other governmental agency so long as such signs are under 15 square feet in area and no more than four feet in height.

(c) Any commercial sign shall require a use permit from the planning commission and design approval from the architectural review board; provided, commercial signs posted by the city shall require only city council approval. [Ord. 1676 N.S. § 2, 1989].

All property within the city zoned O as of July 14, 1986, shall remain zoned O until such time that an ordinance to change the zoning is approved by the voters. [Ord. 1555 N.S. § 1, 1986].