Southampton Township
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
12-4.18 Recreational
facilities and open space.
[Amended by Ord. No. 2002-14; Ord. No. 2002-15; Ord. No. 2006-16; 2-20-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-01]
It is the general purpose and intent of the recreational facilities and open space requirements of this chapter that new residential development in Southampton Township contribute to the overall open space and recreational facilities needed in the Township to serve its residents.
a.
Open space shall be provided in accordance with the following minimum provisions:
1.
Single-family detached dwelling units with on-site septic: a minimum of 10% of the total tract, of which 1/2 must be suitable for active recreation use and must not be either wetlands, wetlands buffers, one-hundred-year flood plains, or detention basin areas.
2.
Single-family detached dwelling units with public sewer: a minimum of 15% of the total tract, of which 1/2 must be suitable for active recreation use and must not be either wetlands, wetlands buffers, one-hundred-year flood plains, or detention basin areas.
3.
Two-family and townhouse dwelling units: a minimum of 20% of the total tract, of which 1/2 must be suitable for active recreation use and must not be either wetlands, wetlands buffers, one-hundred-year floodplains, or detention basin areas.
b.
In the designation of the required open space and the uses proposed thereon, the developer shall be guided by the following:
1.
Open spaces shall be used for social, recreational, and/or natural environment preservation purposes. The uses authorized must be appropriate to the character of the open space, including its topography, size and vegetation, as well as to the character of the development, including its size, density, characteristics of the expected population, and the number and type of dwellings to be served.
2.
Common open space to be administered by a homeowners' association shall be distributed throughout the proposed development so that as many residential dwelling units as is practicable abut and have direct access to the common open space.
3.
The protection of environmentally fragile and important resource land areas such as aquatic buffer areas, one-hundred-year flood plain, rare threatened and endangered species and wooded acreage is a high priority.
4.
Open space, particularly peripheral open space areas, containing existing attractive or unique natural features, such as streams, creeks, ponds, wetlands, woodlands, specimen trees, and other areas of mature vegetation worthy of preservation is encouraged to be preserved and in its natural state. Certain improvements such as the clearing of trails for walking, jogging, hiking and/or picnicking may be made in the open space. Recreation facilities may also include soccer, baseball, football, and other field sports that utilize open unlit fields.
5.
Walkways, jogging, and bicycle paths shall be integrally designed into the open space system. These pedestrian and bicycle paths shall be continuous and shall connect with the sidewalks and bicycle paths of adjacent streets. They shall be of adequate width and design to accommodate the projected volume of pedestrians and bicycles.
6.
The buildings, structures and improvements permitted in the open space shall be appropriate to the authorized uses and shall conserve and enhance the amenities of the open space with regard to its topography and aesthetic value.
7.
The construction schedule of the development shall coordinate the improvement of the open space with the construction of residential dwellings. It is intended that 100% of the open space be developed and usable at 75% completion of the residential units in the proposed development.
c.
The approving authority shall review the submitted common open space plan in the context of the particular development proposal, the particular characteristics of the subject land area, and the ability, desirability and practicality of relating the proposed open space to adjacent and nearby lands. The lands shall be improved as may be necessary to best suit the purpose(s) for which they are intended.
d.
All open space not offered to and/or not accepted by the Township shall be owned and maintained by a homeowners' association or other open space organization as provided in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-43 and Subsection 12-4.17 of this chapter. Such organization shall not be dissolved, nor shall it dispose of any common open space by sale or otherwise.
e.
The following shall be the minimum active recreation requirements based on the number of approved residential units, unless alternate recreational facilities are specifically approved by the Board. All recreational facilities shall adhere to the standards set forth in the Barrier Free Subcode of the Uniform Construction Code of the State of New Jersey.
1.
Fifty units or more:
(a)
Two tennis courts, plus one tennis court for each additional 25 units;
(b)
One basketball court, plus one basketball court for each 50 additional units;
(c)
One tot lot, plus one tot lot for each 50 additional units;
(d)
One ballfield;
(e)
One multipurpose turfed area of at least 100 by 100 feet, plus one multipurpose turfed area for each 50 additional units.
f.
Monetary contribution. In lieu of construction of the recreational facilities required by Subsection 12-4.18 hereinabove, the developer may elect, with approval by the Land Development Board to make a contribution of $3,000 per residential unit to a Recreation Trust Fund maintained by the Township specifically for the periodic purchase, lease, acquisition and/or maintenance of recreational facilities for use by the residents of Southampton Township. Said contribution shall be paid upon submission of the application for the construction permits for the project.