The intent of the specific plan zone district is to provide for an overall superior development plan and systematically implement the General Plan. The specific plan zone district shall only apply to property containing forty or more gross acres.

(Ord. No. 2359, § 2, 12-20-16)

The design of single family residential developments shall result in a carefully planned comprehensive community with a number and variety of amenities. Specific plans shall provide sufficient open space areas for the active use of recreational activities by residents and guests of Specific Plans that contain lot sizes less than 7,200 square feet, along with single family attached, multiple-family developments and the residential portion of mixed-use development projects. In this regard, active open space elements shall be of sufficient size and location, and easily accessible to each dwelling unit. The following open space areas shall contribute to the open space requirements for single-family attached and detached projects, multiple-family projects and the residential portion of mixed-use development projects:

(a)

Minimum Common Open Space Requirements.

(1)

Common Open Space for Single-Family Developments—Common open space for passive and active recreational purposes shall be provided pursuant to Table 14-1 (Minimum Common Open Space Area) and shall include common recreation amenities and facilities provided pursuant to sections (b) and (c) of this Section.

Table 14-1 (Minimum Common Open Space Area)

(2)

When warranted, school sites are encouraged within Specific Plans. A maximum of 25% of a school's site acreage may count toward the minimum common open space requirements of this Section. However, recreational facilities contained within a school site shall not count toward the required recreational facilities provided within sections (b) and (c) of this Section, unless a joint use agreement between the City and School District is executed allowing for use by residents.

(3)

Common Open Space for Multiple-Family and Mixed-Use Development Projects—Projects involving more than one dwelling unit on a parcel of land should use the multiple-family standards and guidelines prescribed within Article 8 of this Chapter, entitled Residential Districts, as a benchmark in creating minimum open space standards for a Specific Plan.

(b)

Active Common Open Space Area.

(1)

Active common open space containing recreation facilities shall be provided pursuant to Table 14-2 (Minimum Requirements for Common Recreation Amenities). For the purpose of this provision, required recreation facilities shall be categorized as follows:

(i)

Major Recreation Facilities—A major recreation facility is intended to be a significant recreation node or focal point for residents, and include recreation buildings, swimming pools, water-play fountains, tennis courts, amphitheaters, large sports fields and other major amenities requiring significant investment and appropriate to serve project residents, as determined by the City.

(ii)

Minor Recreation Facilities—A minor recreation facility is intended to augment the variety and availability of recreation facilities, and include children's play areas (tot lots), spas or saunas, picnic and barbecue areas, basketball courts, picnic and barbecue areas, volleyball courts, community gardens, and other similar amenities requiring a less significant investment and appropriate to serve project residents, as determined by the City.

Table 14-2 (Minimum Requirements for Common Recreation Amenities)

*(Note: Two minor recreation facilities may be provided in place of one major recreation facility.)

(2)

Active open space areas shall have a minimum contiguous area of 300 square feet, with no horizontal dimension less than 15 feet, and no clear vertical dimension less than 8 feet.

(3)

All active open space areas shall be planted with permanent landscaping or be devoted to recreational facilities, such as swimming pools, tennis courts, tot lots, patios, or similar open space and recreational facilities.

(4)

Active open space areas and amenities are to be permanently kept and maintained in an orderly manner.

(c)

Passive Common Open Space Area.

(1)

Passive open space areas shall have a minimum dimension of 5 feet; however, not more than 50 percent of the passive areas having a dimension less than 10 feet may be counted toward the minimum open space requirements of this Section.

(2)

Passive open space areas shall incorporate features that enhance the appearance and desirability of a development project, such as pathways, entry features, enhanced plantings, waterscape, rockscape, benches, gazebos, raised planters and other unique features.

(Ord. No. 2359, § 2, 12-20-16)

All development within the Specific Plan zoning district shall be designed and constructed pursuant to the standards and guidelines of the applicable Specific Plan document, unless the Specific Plan is silent on a standard then the Municipal Code standard or guideline shall supersede. (Note: If no Specific Plan (SP) has been adopted for a property within the SP zoning district, a new Specific Plan shall be adopted for the property, or the property shall be annexed to an existing neighboring specific plan, prior to the issuance of any grading or building permits.)

(Ord. No. 2359, § 2, 12-20-16)

After adoption of a Specific Plan, amendments to the document shall be made pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 2, entitled Amendments. Amendment proposals are subject to the standards within this Article and shall be amended to fully comply with this Article.

(Ord. No. 2359, § 2, 12-20-16)