The City recognizes that there are numerous areas of the City with a high scenic, environmental, and aesthetic value which are currently open space or undeveloped land. The purpose of the Open Space District is to provide for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of such environmental resources while providing for reasonable and compatible uses of land.

It is the purpose of the Open Space District that such protection may be extended to, but not be limited to, public parks and playgrounds, beaches and beach access, sensitive habitat areas, creek setbacks, golf courses and country clubs, open spaces reserved for open space use as part of a planned development, land which is unsuitable for development due to steep slopes, geotechnical hazards, or other reasons, land areas vital to water resources relating to the supply, recharge, and/or watersheds, and areas of scenic value or unique natural features.

Specific objectives of the Open Space District are as follows:

(a)

To provide for the protection of environmentally sensitive areas;

(b)

To provide guidelines for the appropriate use of open space areas;

(c)

To provide for public safety;

(d)

To provide for recreational and cultural use areas in the City; and

(e)

To implement the Open Space Element of the General Plan.

(§ 1, Ord. 502-C.S., eff. May 11, 1988)

(a)

Permitted uses. The following uses shall be permitted in the Open Space District:

(1)

Active and passive recreation;

(2)

Educational and cultural uses, excluding schools;

(3)

Open space as a reserve for seismic safety, water conservation erosion protection, view protection, or appropriate uses; and

(4)

Greenbelts.

(b)

Conditional uses. Conditional uses allowed in the Open Space District, subject to obtaining a use and site development permit, shall be as follows:

(1)

New buildings incidental and relating to any permitted use;

(2)

Additions to existing structures which increase the coverage and/or intensity of use of such structures by fifty (50%) percent or greater;

(3)

Shoreline erosion protection structures and beach access;

(4)

Golf courses and country clubs;

(5)

Parks, campgrounds, and public recreation areas;

(6)

Agricultural and horticultural uses;

(7)

Electrical distribution substations, microwave relay structures, and satellite dish antennas;

(8)

Rifle, pistol, and archery ranges;

(9)

Commercial uses incidental to the uses set forth in this subsection; and

(10)

Accessory residential uses for the purpose of providing security for the uses set forth in this subsection or housing for employees.

(§ 1, Ord. 502-C.S., eff. May 11, 1988)

Development regulations in the Open Space District shall be as follows:

(a)

As specified in the site development permit and use permit;

(b)

The use shall be consistent with the stated purpose of this article as set forth in the specific objectives; and

(c)

The use shall be environmentally and visually compatible with the physical characteristics of the site.

(§ 1, Ord. 502-C.S., eff. May 11, 1988)